Inspirations

Quad and Rafting Umbria

When you think of extreme sports and places to partake in these activities, Italy may not be the first to pop up in your mind. However, there’s plenty to do in Italy when it comes to exploring. This is in part thanks to its varied landscapes of beaches, mountains, rivers, and more, and ingenious inventiveness of Italian sports fans, who create stunning adventures.

A surprising example? Quad riding and rafting through Umbria, Italy’s “green heart”!
Located in central Italy, and bordering with Tuscany, Lazio, and Le Marche, Umbria is renowned for its vast hills, evocative medieval towns, dense forestsand uniquely enchanting atmosphere.

Nicknamed Italy’s “green heart” because of its sweeping verdant valleys, gentle hills, and gorgeous natural environment, it offers a picture-perfect backdrop for a variety of outdoor activities, and a simply superb location to simply soak in some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes Italy has to offer.

That’s why savvy companies have started to create new ways to explore, and indulge in, the area’s manifold natural attractions. Among these, thrilling, but perfectly safe, experiences such as quad riding or rafting on the river.

Exploring Umbria on a Quad

Riding up and down the hillside of the Umbria region in a quad is a memorable experience that takes place in the area called “Valnerina”. i.e. the valley of the Black River, in the heart of Umbria.

The fabulous thing about a quad is that it’s an off-road vehicle, basically something like a cart with four huge, sturdy wheels. These wheels allow riders to go on and through terrains that cars wouldn’t dare try to challenge, soaring in and through mud, rocks, and steep inclines, parctically enabling participants to go anywhere, and catch views and sights they would never have access to from onboard another vehicle.

Quads take one up steep hills, to enjoy sublime sweeping views of woods and valleys, wade through water and trek through places one would never expect. Plus, they are amazingly easy to drive, and perfectly suitable for beginners: all one needs is a concise briefing session, and a few instructions, and you’re off in a jiffy, ready for a uniquely rewarding Italian experience.

Water-based excitement? Go rafting!

The excitement of soaring down a flowing river, the rush of the wind, the beauty of the outdoors. Rafting is an extreme sport that allows people to get the most out of an adrenaline-filled, truly diverting experience, and enjoy unique insight on Italy’s superb natural environment. Especially in Umbria, where luxuriant valleys and pristine unspoiled woodland are so rich, diverse, and dazzling, and the rivers offer a perfect location for this wondrous sport.

First and foremost, no worries: rafting is a completely safe experience, no matter the twists and turns that come with it. The raft participants ride in is unsinkable and made of rubber that floats through any commotion the water brings to the dinghy. So, even though the most exciting thing about rafting is that the course of the journey is out of the rafter’s hands, and when floating down the river everyone is at the mercy of the river’s flow and water’s direction, one can feel perfectly secure throughout.

Rafters are pushed down the river, taken on a course of its own, and left to dodge obstacles along the way. This exciting experience is a group sport that requires team leaders and alert followers, that’s why each journey includes an expert guide to serve as team leader and teach guests how to row and navigate the raft.

Rafting is a great way to explore the region of Umbria: rafters enjoy the rare privilege of being able to admire rocky cliffs, woods, meadows, and become part of the surrounding beauty.

Rafting Down the Nera River

One river that is accessible by raft is the Nera River, which descends for about 8 km from Vallo di Nera to Scheggino. Perfect for participants of all ages thanks to the calmly flowing waters and absence of rapids, the activity may be enjoyed by all families, including children as young as 3 years old, and offers an enchanting relaxing ride through medieval villages and beautiful landscapes.

Rafting Down the Corno River

Another rafting trip created to please travelers of all ages is the one you can enjoy rafting down the Corno river, from Serravalle di Norcia to Nortosce. This is a 7 km ride that allows rafters to experience the stunning beauty of the spectacular Biselli Gorges. The rapids here are slightly fast, but nothing too intense. Basically, participants enjoy a little thrill, but nothing too breathtaking!

Enjoy Italy in a Unique Way

Whether it’s trekking up uncharted lands on a quad or peacefully rafting down a river, there’s a lot to do in Umbria, and an exciting activity like rafting or quad driving allows travelers of all ages to enjoy a firsthand experience of Italy’s kaleidoscopic splendor.