Nature & Outdoor

Emilia-Romagna is one of the greenest regions in Italy. Starting from the parks and woods of the Apennines, the region’s natural areas extend to include the pine forests of the coast, in a succession of different species, landscapes and colours.

Translated into numbers, in Emilia-Romagna, there are 2 national parks, the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines National Park, shared with Tuscany, and the Casentinesi Forests, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Park; 1 cross-regional park, the Sasso Simone and Simoncello Park, and 14 regional parks.

Added to these are the 17 national nature reserves and the protected area of the Po Delta Regional Park, 52,000 hectares set in an environment that is unique in terms of its biodiversity, so much so that it has been named a UNESCO reserve to which is added the latest recognition of the Unesco MaB Po Grande which includes the coastal municipalities of the territories of Piacenza, Parma and Reggio Emilia.

As a consequence of all this variety, there are numerous outdoor activities offered to visitors to these green areas, which are suitable for all levels of athletic ability. The mountains and hills of the Apennines contain an almost endless list of things to do when it comes to sports, in both summer and winter.  Here, for example, you will find numerous hiking itineraries, mountain biking trails, rivers where you can go kayaking and rafting and horse riding paths. Plus, when the summer season begins, the region’s many adventure parks open.

When the mountain peaks are covered with snow, the Apennines show off their 15 ski resorts, which, from Piacenza to Forlì-Cesena, offer ski slopes and terrain parks for snowboarding enthusiasts. The most popular ski areas in Emilia-Romagna are Monte Cimone, Corno alle Scale and Cerreto Laghi.

Leaving the mountains behind and heading to the sea, there is no lack of opportunities to spend time in nature in this area, too. For example, along the coast, visitors will find the pine forests of the shores of Ravenna, where you can take a wonderfully invigorating pine-scented jog, and the Cervia Salt Pans Park, a journey through the ancient salt pan that still produces Cervia’s famous “sweet” salt.

And then there are bike rides, horseback riding, canoeing and boating in the Po Delta Park, located between the provinces of Ferrara and Ravenna, which is an ideal place for birdwatching, too.