4 Hidden Natural Wonders in Italy: Off-Season Escapes for Adventure Seekers

Explore Italy’s untouched landscapes beyond the beaches and tourist hotspots. Discover four stunning, lesser-known destinations—from the Apennine Mountains to the serene lakes of Friuli-Venezia Giulia—that offer solitude, natural beauty, and thrilling outdoor adventures. Perfect for those seeking Italy's wild side away from the crowds!

Brenna Husband

4 Hidden Natural Wonders in Italy: Off-Season Escapes for Adventure Seekers

Nov 14 2024

As a Californian in Italy, I am always on the lookout for extraordinary places in nature. While most people flock to Italy’s beautiful beaches, anxious to photograph their spritz or the colorful umbrellas of Capri, there is so much more to see. The wild, untouched side of Italy is virtually unknown to mass tourism, especially in the off-season.

Here are my top four destinations in Italy for quiet access to the great outdoors.

Abruzzo and the Grand Sasso

The largest mountain range in the South of Italy, also called the “little Dolomites” is the Apennine Mountains. The stunning landscape, alpine cheese, and lack of mass tourism make it a great place to spend a few days in nature.

For a great day on the trails, start at Campo Imperatore at the base of the Grand Sasso. The Hotel Campo Imperatore, where Benito Mussolini was held following the Armistice of Cassibile, will be your starting point to a wonderfully marked trail system and several Refugios, only open in high season.

You can continue onto the Corno Grande, the peak of the Grand Sasso and the highest in the Apennines, or check out Monte Aquila and take in the views of both the Grand Sasso and the stunning range in the distance.

I recommend going during the cooler months as the trails are quite exposed. Be on the lookout for mountain goats that send rock slides down the mountain trails.

Outside the mountain trails, there are crystal clear rivers in Abruzzo, like the Tirino. Tours of the river are done daily, year-round, in canoes and kayaks.

Calabria and Tropea

Italy is surrounded by the ocean. It’s hard to decipher which beach is prettier than the next. But down south of Italy, inaccessible by high-speed line, is the charming town of Tropea, known for its Caribbean blue clear water. Staying here in Tropea to take advantage of swimming and paddleboarding is a must. In nearby in Capo Vaticano, a stunning peninsula perched over the sea, there are many entry points for paddleboarding. You can scope them out from the scenic viewpoint from above, Belvedere Capo Vaticano.

When I visited in February, I spotted a secret beach only accessible by sea and decided to paddle to it. After launching from a nearby beach, I got so excited I almost paddled to Sicily. In fact, you can see the famous island of Stromboli and its active volcano from the shores of Tropea.

Northwards from Tropea, just north of Scalea, there is a gorgeous paddleboard spot called Grotta della Pecora. I arrived to the Grotta just before before sunset, rushing to pump up my paddleboard and hop into the sea. I was completely alone on the water. Not a boat, not a tourist, not another human being to be found. I cruised into the grotto, and the arches covered me into an isolated cove. I headed out again to be greeted by the sound of the ocean crashing against the rocks, the birds singing happily as the golden hues of sun hit the rocks.

Finally, another great hike along the coast is the Sentiero degli Infreschi, technically just north of Calabria in southern Campania. A challenging “out and back” day hike, you can start at the large parking lot at Marina di Camerota. Off-season, there won’t be any restaurants or snack shops open, so be sure to pack a lunch from one of the nearby towns. The hike passes through scenic cliffs and trails before arriving at the bottom to a completely isolated bay and stone beach. Although it wasn’t sunny enough for a dip before I hiked back, the pebbles on my feet were a welcome massage after the long hike.

Friuli-Venezia Giulia - Hiking in the Italian Alps

Everyone knows about the Dolomites, but have you been three hours east to the Fusine Lakes in Friuli-Venezia Giulia? Bordering with Slovenia and Austria, the Mangart mountains offer similar views as the Dolomites but much less trafficked trails. Two glacial lakes, the “Superiore” and “Inferiore”, outline the majestic mountains. The proximity to Slovenia and Austria also make for an interesting cultural melange.

During my visit to the Fusine Lakes in August, we drove up from Slovenia and escaped the boiling heat for the cool air of the mountains. We spent the day hiking along the trails, foraging for raspberries and stopping for lunch at the Belvedere Caffe overlooking the lakes. All the hiking made us hungry, so we tried the typical Friulian dish of frico with potatoes, a potato pancake filled with mild Alpine cheese.

The Fusine Lakes also look appealing in the wintertime, when you can come for skiing, sauna, ice climbing or snow-shoeing.

Puglia - Parco Nazionale del Gargano

Puglia is known for its converted rural stone dwellings called masseria, simple and tasty seafood, and thousands of olive trees. But in the north of Puglia just south of Molise is a stunning peninsula featuring the National Park of Gargano. Known as “Italy’s spur” for its shape on the boot, the region is full of hiking trails and scenic beaches.

When we visited in April, the weather was warm but we were one of the only guests at the high-end glamping spot HMO Glamping & Suites in Vignanotica. We could easily walk down to the rocky beach to swim or stand-up paddleboard. The restaurant on-site was full of tasty, local dishes and the design was modern and cozy.

From Vignanotica, drive along the peninsula and be amazed by the dramatic cliffs soaring over the ocean. Stop in the town of Vieste for lunch, and then continue onto Peschici, another charming coastal town with ferry access to the Tremiti Islands. While waiting for your ferry, stop for a beer at Birreria di Birra del Gargano. Or, skip the islands and visit the coastal lakes of Lesina and Varano.

To Wrap Up

Italy's natural beauty extends far beyond its famous cities and popular tourist destinations. These off-the-beaten-path locations offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Italy's diverse landscapes.

By venturing into these less-traveled regions, you'll not only escape the crowds but also discover a side of Italy that many tourists miss. Italy's true magic often lies in its lesser-known corners, waiting to be explored by those willing to seek them out.

This article was written by Thatch travel creator Brenna Husband. Subscribe to her travel shop and Substack.

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