Calabria Outdoor Adventures: Top 5 Activities for Thrill-Seekers

Calabria, the toe of Italy’s boot, sometimes gets overlooked. It’s not quite as famous as Tuscany or Rome, very true, but that’s part of what makes it kinda great! This is because there is this raw, untamed kinda vibe. It’s got amazing coastlines, big mountains, plus national parks that you really gotta visit. If you enjoy getting outside and doing exciting things, Calabria’s maybe the place for you. So, let’s get into it. Here is a quick view of my fave spots and activities to test out if you ever find yourself on holiday in this part of Italy. Seriously, you won’t regret checking any of these gems.

1. Hiking in Pollino National Park

Pollino National Park, shared between Calabria and Basilicata, just might be the largest national park in Italy. It provides hiking opportunities that fit like your favourite pair of socks. We are talking trails that twist and turn, ancient beech woods where the trees are crazy tall, plus views from up top of these super rare, super old Bosnian pine trees. These guys, are actually symbols of the park, are cool. I once spent like, a whole day exploring a tiny piece of one trail – the sense of total, crazy peace I felt up there, all by myself amongst trees that have been there for centuries, you almost cannot explain that kind of peace.

Trails to Try: For a quick hike, so to speak, test out the trail to the Belvedere peak. If you enjoy a longer, sort of demanding trek, that’s maybe worth bragging about, look up the route to Monte Pollino’s top. Both kinda give ya spectacular views and, very often, spots where it feels like you are really the only person around. It almost seems so unreal. Another spot where it seems that there are not that many people is right here Read our full review: pollino national park Full Review and Details and maybe find something that suits you just a bit.

Why It’s Awesome: Think total disconnection from the city rush, a ton of photo spots, plus the opportunity to almost touch a side of Italy most travelers hardly know actually exists. It seems almost too cool to not go. If you’re wanting to try getting outdoors and breathing the freshest air, so, that is likely your place to start.

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2. White-Water Rafting in the Lao River Valley

The Lao River Valley, located within Pollino National Park (I kinda told you it’s a place to explore, right?) has some thrilling, super-action-packed white-water rafting. With crazy gorges, strong currents, plus crazy nature the place provides a day for the books if you are into heart-racing experiences. My attempt at rafting here was very, I mean very uncoordinated. Let’s just leave it here.

The Rafting Scoop: Local tour people guide groups through rivers for all skills. From easy paddles where it feels a bit gentle so everyone may join, all through to more extreme rivers where the currents are quick plus the river appears a lot aggressive, giving you the feeling you are maybe tackling the waters by yourself. So, they usually give everyone what suits them in terms of intensity. Anyway you picture the rafting expedition, this is certainly a really spectacular way to see the valley. More spectacular spots may be just around the corner so you could go check it out here Lao River Valley Full Review and Details to decide your best route

Why It’s a Must-Do: If getting very wet and also a rush of adrenaline is your kind of thing, or maybe something new to try, the Lao River seems to be a no-brainer. So, you will notice incredible views of Calabria’s landscape whilst doing exercise as you hardly imagined you may actually like.

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3. Canyoning in the Gole del Raganello

The Gole del Raganello is one of Calabria’s better-kept outdoor secrets, basically. We are talking about a fantastic, kinda hidden canyon. So it just appears you stepped into a jungle. A very thrilling choice here, as in canyoning! Also referred to as gorge walking, involves exploring this, kinda impressive, gorge through streams, sometimes, also rock jumping or sliding through. This really will test your excitement appetite.

What to expect: With local canyoning operators it almost always means you’ll be wearing all of your gear before jumping. Seriously expect walking with these guides into very narrow gorges. Very quickly it comes apparent that you are really walking, plus floating in super cold waters, just before going under waterfalls. I mean, it doesn’t happen so quickly, but after a minute or two of those conditions it will actually feel really chilly, yet rewarding after, naturally. It turns out that It almost certainly challenges you, also this lets see landscapes from totally original points of view. For everything and all, if this feels like your thing you should definitely test it. All facts are right there on this article that you should review: Gole del Raganello Full Review and Details.

Why You’ll like it: For people seeking a real adventure, basically, away from more travelled trails, so that is perfect! Almost definitely a different approach to appreciate nature.

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4. Paragliding over Praia a Mare

Praia a Mare, located along Calabria’s Tyrrhenian coast, appears perfect when you actually look to fly. It can be great if it fits the conditions you expect, to experience Paragliding here, as a result it takes your visit one level up. You’re not only gazing at this vista. Now you are simply floating over it.

Catching Air: There are a couple operators offering tandem flights where they bring you and themselves soaring very safely on top of dramatic coastlines. As you glide, Praia a Mare’s beach becomes extremely tiny directly below as you float on top, with Dino Island actually jutting from the water. A crazy opportunity that, I can tell you, you gotta at minimum add it to your to-do list! For every bit more on all prices, seasons plus scheduling this is the article you want, alright: Praia a Mare Full Review and Details.

Why it really is unmissable: Do you wish to watch the Calabria from perhaps the birds point of view? This seems perfect if the simple point of floating very quietly in the wind whilst taking incredible photos, you actually consider it an idea.

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5. Scuba Diving around Tropea

Tropea, frequently nicknamed as “Coast of the Gods,” is literally famous for a clear coastline, in fact! What you could not really know is that just under such coasts lie crazy scuba dives simply worth getting extremely thrilled over. It’s more often that way than you may know that that water life right underneath these beaches actually has many cool animals along with views.

Subaquatic Stuff: Some close dive locations exist in the location plus for all degrees of experience, as is usually the pattern. You know, there are really shallow, simple to approach dives appropriate while first being experienced. Additionally, there exist caves filled to their capacities with sea life on harder spots waiting just for you when there is confidence, as a matter of fact! Also, very commonly they are so near from coastlines you could possibly in fact swimming out there yourself if wanting. As there appears very much details you want before traveling to there do actually observe that short review: Tropea diving Full Review and Details.

The Submarine appeal: Should the thought come across you of really observing, close, every aquatic being when also searching throughout old wrecks right down a really bright-ocean so look to diving inside Tropea. Probably, that’ll stick deep inside that noggin for some years. And who understands, perhaps get diving one passion of them all.

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