Acquatrekking: Discover the Thrill of Exploring Italian Nature with a Splash of Freshness

Acquatrekking is an outdoor activity you can try right here in Italy.

Imagine walking along a mountain or hill trail, breathing fresh air and fully immersing yourself in nature. It’s a wonderful experience, isn’t it? However, there’s probably one factor that might hold you back right now: the heat. Walks, hikes and long treks aren’t ideal in high temperatures, so it’s normal to feel a bit hesitant.

The good news? There’s a solution called acquatrekking. But don’t expect something too relaxing: it’s still a sport that requires some physical fitness. However, it’s definitely the perfect choice for those who want to enjoy a tourist or sporting hike and, at the same time... cool off.

Acquatrekking is a very popular activity in Italy during the summer season. Before explaining where you can practice it, it’s important to understand exactly what it is. Acquatrekking is similar to trekking but takes place mainly in water, allowing you to explore pristine natural landscapes.

In fact, those who practice acquatrekking alternate walking on traditional trails with long and intense walks in water, going upstream along rivers or streams to discover their unique features and understand the specific characteristics of each river environment. Naturally, it’s a sport that requires the accompaniment of a guide and is suitable for everyone, as long as you recognize your own physical fitness level.

Thanks to its unique features and variety of natural environments, Italy offers many opportunities to practice acquatrekking. Since 2011, a group of enthusiasts and hikers has actively embraced this activity, sharing information on forums and later on social media. It’s important to highlight that social media, especially Instagram, have made knowledge of this sport more accessible, as shown by over 5,000 posts tagged with #acquatrekking.

Generally, in the mountains (especially the Alps and Apennines) there are many rivers, streams, and creeks that have preserved their beauty thanks to being far from the busiest paths. These river environments are often chosen by associations to organize guided excursions, offering the chance to walk inside the riverbeds to those who want to participate.

What are the best places in Italy to practice acquatrekking? In Sicily, you can do this sport near the Avola lakes, while in Campania, it’s possible along the Sele River. A very popular spot lies between Basilicata and Calabria, in the Pollino National Park, where the sport was reportedly officially introduced. Within the park, there are various routes available, suitable for all fitness levels.

In Sardinia, there are many equally beautiful experiences to enjoy, but the standout locations are the areas around the Flumineddu and San Girolamo streams. Going further north, acquatrekking experiences along the Imele River in Abruzzo and near the Farfa Gorges in Lazio are enchanting. Of course, there are other options too, so the advice is to contact the nearest hiking associations for more details.