Sports, naturally

In Umbria, visitors can enjoy their favourite sports in an environment so rich and varied that it is bound to satisfy everyone. These natural spots are ideal for a wide range of activities. As a result, enjoying sports in this region is not only a source of well-being, but a true adventure to be experienced against the backdrop of hills, countryside, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, woods and untouched rock faces.

Water sports
Umbria’s innumerable rivers, wild torrents and lakes offer the perfect opportunity to enjoy a wide range of water sports. Lake Trasimeno is ideal for water-skiing, windsurfing and regattas. Lake Piediluco is marvellous not only for rowing, but also for canoeing and kayaking, also popular at Lake Corbara, along the Nera and on the upper portion of the Tiber. Near the Marmore Waterfalls rafting, soft rafting, hydrospeed and canyoning are popular sports. Instead, the Rio Freddo gorge (Mount Cucco), the gorge of Pago alle Fosse (Mount San Vito), the Casco gorge, the Roccagelli ravines, the Parrano gorge, the Prodo gorge and the Valnerina ravines are perfect for torrenting. Umbria’s lakes, rivers and streams also offer visitors a chance to try their hand at sports fishing.

Land sports
Coming into contact with nature, crossing it on foot or mountain bike, and experiencing its innumerable aspects: all this can be enjoyed with both trekking and cycling tours. The latter has become a highly specific tourism segment in Umbria, thanks to an environmental heritage that is largely protected by a system of regional parks. There is a wide range of nature itineraries that have been charted and marked throughout the region. They have also been set up to cater to different levels of physical preparation, ranging from excursions to the most demanding high-altitude trekking. The peaceful roads of Umbria are also popular with cycle tourists and they offer demanding itineraries across the Appennines as well as relaxing rides in the low hills or along the lakeshores. During the winter, the mountains of Umbria offer visitors a chance to enjoy down-hill skiing, climbing and cross-country skiing in the Sibylline Mountains, on Mount Cucco and on Mount Serra. And the mountains also offer the most daring sport lovers over 250 scaling trails and equipped rock walls at Pale, Mount Tezio and Mount Vettore. The mountains of Umbria also boast an enchanting underground world – the paradise of potholers – composed of a network of tunnels, wells and caves. Riding fans can enjoy and relaxing outings on horseback along the marked trails found throughout the region. Golfers can count on numerous courses and the region offers the opportunity to try bird watching and go on nature excursions and guided tours at the Wwf reserve of Alviano.

Suspended midair
Deltaplaning and paragliding fans will discover a little corner of paradise in the Sibylline Mountains, on Mount Subasio and on Mount Cucco. Pleasure flying and sports flying practiced above all with ultra-light motorised aircraft attract hordes of flying enthusiasts.