Sport

Rock climbing close up

2 minutes

Trentino: climbs reflected in the lake

Liguria: climbing paradise

Latium: blue sky, blue sea

Abruzzo: the heart of Gran Sasso

Sicily: hands gripping rocks, eyes on the sea

At first sight, rock climbing seems especially to involve strength, yet - when faced by a vertical rock-face - the mind also plays an important role. And it is also this combination of physical effort and maximum concentration that underlies the ever-growing success of this sport. Everyone can go climbing in Italy after choosing the setting best suited to their abilities, even complete beginners. In many places, as if the rock-faces already available all over the country weren't enough, there are even artificial sites offering different heights and difficulties as a first approach. Then there is an endless choice: Alps, Dolomites and Apennines, between peaks overlooking the sea and others set in green nature.

The climb you can challenge in this corner of Trentino has lines suitable for everyone and is in the immediate vicinity of Lake Nembia. A perfect destination for families and relaxing days in the open air.

https://www.visittrentino.info/it/guida/tour/lago-nembia_tour_23731822

With nearly 200 rock faces, there's a choice from over 3,500 climbs: Finale Ligure is one of the best-known climbing sites in Europe. The first routes date back to 1968 when climbing made its debut on the limestone rocks of this part of Liguria.

http://turismo.comunefinaleligure.it/it/outdoor/climbing

The names are evocative but the ascent routes are even more astonishing: Castello Invisibile, Paretone del Chiromante, Grotta dell’Arenauta and Palestra del Pueblo. These and other sites (about 300 of every level of difficulty) are just some of the climbs reflected in the seas in southern Latium, between Sperlonga and Gaeta.

https://www.vertical-life.info/en/outdoor/lazio/sperlonga

There's a fascinating place in the heart of Italy where climbing can be enjoyed in a thousand ways: the Gran Sasso. This mountain has many routes between limestone walls and dense woods. Climbs for everyone even up to 1000 meters - especially in summer, since this is the highest point of the Apennines!

There is a unique charm when climbing a rock face with the sea behind you and in Sicily there is no better expression of this than the steep cliffs of the promontory of San Vito Lo Capo. The view from above the Riserva dello Zingaro cove is utterly breath-taking.