Conscious Travel in Abruzzo: 6 Outdoor Activities for an Active and Sustainable Holiday

September, 15th 2024

The way we travel is changing. And Abruzzo has been ready for this moment for a long time.

If your idea of a perfect holiday involves more than a sun lounger on a crowded beach or a queue outside a famous museum, Abruzzo is the destination you have been looking for. This region in central Italy, known as the greenest region in Europe, has been practising what the rest of the world is only now beginning to call conscious travel: slow, sustainable, deeply connected to nature and to the communities that live there.

We have cycled along the Adriatic coast with the sea beside us. We have walked the highlands of La Maielletta and Campo Imperatore breathing air so clean it almost feels unfamiliar. And every time we return to Abruzzo, the experience reminds us why this kind of travel matters.

Here are 6 outdoor activities that make Abruzzo one of the best conscious travel destinations in Italy.

1. Kayaking and Canoeing

Abruzzo has two extraordinary settings for kayaking and canoeing, and they could not be more different from each other.

The first is the Tirino River, considered by many the cleanest river in Italy and one of the cleanest in Europe. The water is so transparent you can see the riverbed below you, with fish moving between the green plants that grow along the bottom. Paddling through the Tirino Valley, within the Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga, is one of the most genuinely peaceful experiences you can have in the region. The gentle current makes it accessible for all levels, and the surrounding landscape feels entirely untouched.

The second is the Costa dei Trabocchi, where kayaking along the coastline gives you a perspective on the trabocchi, the ancient wooden fishing structures that extend over the sea, that you simply cannot get from land. One tour even includes an aperitivo stop at one of the trabocchi — worth checking out via Il Bosso.

2. Snorkelling

The Adriatic coastline of Abruzzo offers some genuinely excellent snorkelling spots, particularly in the protected areas where the water is clearest and the marine life most diverse.

The beach of Ripari di Giobbe, the Lido Riccio near Ortona and above all the Riserva Naturale di Punta Aderci are among the best options. Hidden caves, underwater flora and schools of fish make these spots genuinely rewarding for both beginners and experienced snorkellers. The shallow, calm waters of the protected areas are ideal for anyone wanting to explore at their own pace.

3. Cycling: The Via Verde and Beyond

Cycling in Abruzzo is, quite simply, one of the best things you can do in the region. And we say this from personal experience.

The Via Verde — the old railway line converted into a cycling and walking path that runs from Ortona to Torino di Sangro along the Adriatic coast — is one of the most beautiful cycling routes in Italy. You ride with the sea beside you for kilometres, passing trabocchi, fishing villages and hidden coves. Whenever you feel like it, you can stop, leave your bike and go for a swim. We stopped at Calata Turchino, one of the most hidden and beautiful beaches on the entire coast, and it is the kind of spontaneous moment that defines why this type of travel matters.

For those who prefer mountain routes, the Gran Sasso and Maiella National Parks offer challenging trails with breathtaking views. Vineyards, medieval villages, and vast natural landscapes — Abruzzo rewards the cyclist at every turn.

4. Horse Riding

Horse riding in Abruzzo offers something rare: the chance to experience the region’s landscapes at a pace that feels genuinely connected to the land.

The Ippovia del Gran Sasso, the longest horse trail in Italy, crosses some of the most spectacular scenery in the entire region. Expert guides accompany riders throughout the journey and teach the basics to beginners, making this an activity accessible to anyone willing to try. As filmmaker Damiano Crognali, who rode the Ippovia and documented the experience, described it: calm, sustainable and unlike anything else.

There are hotels and riding schools along the route, and a project currently in development aims to open historic buildings along the path as stopping points, allowing riders to sleep inside Abruzzo’s history.

5. Trekking

With over 500 km of marked trails across national parks, nature reserves and the coastline, Abruzzo is one of the great trekking destinations of central Italy.

We have walked the highlands of La Maielletta and Campo Imperatore, and the experience stays with you. The air at altitude in Abruzzo is something genuinely different: clean, cold and sharp in a way that makes every breath feel deliberate. The landscape at Campo Imperatore, the vast highland plateau known as the Little Tibet of Italy, is extraordinary in its scale and silence.

For those wanting more challenge, the trails of the Gran Sasso and Maiella National Parks offer routes for all levels, from gentle walks along the Costa dei Trabocchi to demanding high-altitude climbs. The Riserva Naturale di Punta Aderci also offers beautiful coastal walking trails that combine sea views with protected natural habitat.

6. Flying Over Abruzzo

For the most adventurous, Abruzzo also offers the possibility of seeing its landscapes from above.

Paragliding and other aerial activities operate across the region, with launch points near the Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga, the Costa dei Trabocchi and the Maiella. The views from altitude over Abruzzo, with the Adriatic on one side and the Apennines on the other, are the kind that stay with you long after you land. More information is available via Majellando.

Why Abruzzo Is the Perfect Conscious Travel Destination

Conscious travel is not a trend in Abruzzo. It is simply how this region has always been experienced by those who know it well.

No crowds. No queues. No performance. Just extraordinary nature, clean air, genuine food and wine, and the space to move through a landscape at your own pace. Whether you are paddling a crystal-clear river, cycling along the Adriatic with the sea beside you, or walking the highlands of the Maiella in the early morning, Abruzzo gives you something that most destinations no longer can: the feeling of being genuinely somewhere.

FAQ

What is conscious travel in Abruzzo?

Conscious travel in Abruzzo means exploring the region in a way that is sustainable, respectful of its natural environment and connected to its local communities. With three national parks, over 500 km of trekking trails, cycling routes along the Adriatic coast, horse trails and clean rivers ideal for kayaking, Abruzzo is one of the best conscious travel destinations in Italy, offering extraordinary nature without the crowds of more famous regions.

What is the best outdoor activity in Abruzzo?

Abruzzo offers six exceptional outdoor activities: kayaking and canoeing on the Tirino River and Costa dei Trabocchi, snorkelling in the protected marine areas, cycling the Via Verde along the Adriatic coast, horse riding the Ippovia del Gran Sasso, trekking in the national parks, and paragliding over the region’s extraordinary landscapes. Each one offers a completely different way to experience the region.

What is the Via Verde in Abruzzo?

The Via Verde is a former railway line converted into a cycling and walking path that runs along the Adriatic coast of Abruzzo from Ortona to Torino di Sangro. It passes trabocchi, fishing villages and hidden beaches, with the sea beside you for the entire route. It is one of the most beautiful cycling routes in Italy and one of the best ways to experience the Costa dei Trabocchi.

Is Abruzzo good for trekking?

The Ippovia del Gran Sasso is the longest horse riding trail in Italy, crossing the spectacular landscapes of the Gran Sasso mountain range in Abruzzo. Expert guides accompany riders throughout the journey and teach the basics to beginners. A development project aims to open historic buildings along the route as stopping points, creating a fully immersive slow travel experience through the heart of Abruzzo.

What is the Ippovia del Gran Sasso?

Yes, Abruzzo is one of the best trekking destinations in central Italy, with over 500 km of marked trails across the Gran Sasso and Maiella National Parks, nature reserves and the Costa dei Trabocchi. Routes range from gentle coastal walks to demanding high-altitude treks, including the extraordinary highland plateau of Campo Imperatore, known as the Little Tibet of Italy.

What is the best time to visit Abruzzo for outdoor activities?

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) are the best seasons for outdoor activities in Abruzzo. The temperatures are ideal for cycling, trekking and kayaking, the landscapes are at their most beautiful, and the crowds are minimal. Summer is excellent for snorkelling and coastal activities. Winter transforms the mountain areas into a ski destination, particularly around Passo Lanciano and Campo Imperatore.

Practical information

Kayaking / Canoeing Tirino River: Il Bosso
Kayaking Costa dei Trabocchi: Il Bosso kayak aperitivo trabocco
Cycling Via Verde: Ortona to Torino di Sangro, Adriatic coast, bike hire available locally
Horse Riding: Ippovia del Gran Sasso
Flying: Majellando
Also read: Best Beaches in Abruzzo · Dining in a Trabocco · Is La Maiella Worth Visiting? · 6 Must-See Places in Abruzzo