Suprisingly diverse recreational options
Find your path- follow your passion...
Any adventure seeker or extreme sport enthusiast will find that the TEA National Park is a great venue to follow their outdoor passions. Not only are there thrilling experiences like scaling soaring cliffs, exploring mysterious caves, or canyoning through rivers, but also more relaxed options like riding e-bikes between villages or trotting on horseback through the rolling meadows. Each of these activities are accompanied by a list of expert guide services that will make sure you have an exciting and safe time out exploring the Park.
Mountain thrills
Rock Climbing
Location: Pietra di Bismantova
Guides:
- La Pietra Guide Alpine in Castelnovo ne' Monti
- Reggio Emilia Incoming in Reggio Emilia
Pietra di Bismantova has the most popular and challenging rock climbing routes in the entire TEA National Park, drawing top climbers from all over northern Italy and beyond. And this isn't your typical rock climbing site. The Pietra's unusual geologic history has preserved fossils of marine life, and its flat, open summit provides spectacular views of surrounding fields, forests, and mountains. The routes extend for 130 meters (425 feet) from bottom to top with routes for beginning to advanced climbers. Let's see... you can have a day filled with ancient fossils, panoramic views, fresh air and big thrills. What's not to love?
Canyoning
Tuscany:- Sigeric Touring Company in Lunigiana
- Apians Exploring Mountains in Gafagnana
- I Giardini dell'acqua in Collagna
- La Pietra Guide Alpine in Castelnovo ne' Monti
There is no better way to explore the undeveloped and otherwise inaccessible rivers of the TEA National Park's valleys than canyoning. Over thousands of years, the Park's streams have carved the Apennines into deep canyons, primarily in the southern portion of the Park, where the slopes of the mountains are steepest. With exhilarating jumps, chutes and climbs ahead, any thrill seeker will find all the challenge they desire. The National Park's expert guide services offer canyoning itineraries for all levels, from beginner to advanced. Although there are packages catering to a variety of skill levels, all of the itineraries require adequate physical condition.
Mountain Biking
Tuscany:- Forestavventura in Prato Spilla
- Centro Bike Cerwood in Cervarezza
- Cerreto Laghi Ski Resort in Cerreto Laghi
Go for an off-road adventure through the hills and valleys of the Apennine mountains. If you're bringing your own equipment, Cerreto Laghi offers excellent downhill mountain-biking trails with easy access. The resort's chairlifts are fitted with special bike hooks and operate throughout the summer months of July and August, which allows visitors to reach the top of the ridge and cycle down from there. If you want to go for a half-day or full-day excursion with a guide, visit Centro Bike Cerwood and Forestavventura in Emilia.
More relaxed excursions
Horseback riding
Tuscany:- il Picchio Verde in Licciana Nardi
- Casa Turchetti in Fivizzano
- Comano Cavalli in Comano
It's time to hit the trail! The TEA National Park offers outstanding opportunities for horseback riding. The Grande Ippovia Appennino Emilia-Romagna is a network of equestrian and biking trails that cover over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) from the Province of Rimini to the Province of Piacenza, which passes directly through the Park. These routes are equipped with adequate signage and pleasant resting points for those who are looking for an all day excursion. The Ippovia passes through the most outstanding places and viewpoints of the park, often in parallel with walking trails.
E-bike Tours
Tuscany:- Sigeric Touring Company in Lunigiana
- ForestAvventura in Prato Spilla
- Centro Bike Cerwood in Cervarezza
E-bikes or electric bikes are equipped with pedal assistance, giving you an easier and more relaxed tour of the Park. Sigeric Touring Company offers amazing e-bike tours all throughout the TEA National Park and Tuscany region. You'll cycle through pristine landscapes, medieval villages, parish churches and ancient castles while enjoying typical local cuisine along the way. Cerwood and ForestAvventura also offer e-bike rentals and tours where qualified guides will take you through their unique network of wildlife trails.
Guided Hikes
Tuscany:- Apians Exploring Mountains in Garfagnana
- La Pietra Guide Alpine in Castelnovo ne' Monti
Hiking is without a doubt one of the most popular activities in the Park. The Park offers almost endless network of trails that are properly signed and provide spectacular resting points. While it is possible to climb the peaks on your own, we strongly suggest going with a guide. Since there so many paths to choose from, consider using a Park guide service to put your mind at rest by taking you safely along the best routes at your pace. We recommend the guides at La Pietra Guide Alpine in Castelnovo ne' Monti and Apians Exploring Mountains in Garfagnana. These guides are experienced, certified and highly educated on the trails in the Park.
The TEA Park's official trail map is available for purchase at visitor centers and other outlets throughout the Park.
Fishing Trips
Emilia-Romagna:- I Giardini Dell'Acqua in Collagna
- Valcedra Fishing Adventures in Monchio delle Corti
Each year the Park's waters are stocked with the native Mediterranean Brown Trout, providing anglers plenty of fishing opportunities. The best way to fish the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines is by either going to the trout farm of I Giardini Dell'Acqua (The Water Gardens) or the fishing lodge of Valcedra Fishing Adventures. These organizations provide fishing excursions with experienced guides that know the area and the fishing techniques needed to be successful. Fishing poles and tackle are provided so there's no need to bring your own! Visit the I Giardini Dell'Acqua page for more information on their fishing excursions.
Sky Running
Sky running is an extreme mountain sport with Italian roots that involves running at an altitude above 2,000 meters (6,600 feet) where the incline exceeds 30% (17°). Monte Ventasso offers great trails and tracks that are used for this sport specifically. Every summer there is a sky running competition called the Ventasso Ecomarathon that brings in contestants from all across Italy. This year the marathon will be held on July 10th.
