For most travelers, nothing quite beats the thrill of an outdoor adventure. That feeling you get when you step out of the busy urban life is unprecedented. A serene wilderness out there where nature is at its best can be breathtaking.
Factor in a destination with water where you can swim and or bath, and you have more to look forward to. Well, Italy has a fair share of some of the best picks you can consider. You will have many options at your disposal. We have put together four of the best wilderness destination picks for your next trip. If you are planning to enjoy your next getaway, then keep reading to find your perfect next stop.
Golfarone waterfall
Waterfalls have their own way of making any hike worthy. And this particular one offers an impressive climax to a wilderness adventure. The scenery spot is in a quite remote place in Val d’Asta in Appenninno.
How to get there
This waterfall is about 500 meters off the road; you will need to hike along an isolated path from Civago. The path leading to this waterfall is not marked, but it is rather apparent that you can hardly miss it.
Then wade through Secchiello stream to access the 15-meter high waterfall. Look for the right route so as not to become over exhausted. Below it you will find several hops with shallow but very clear water pools.
What to do once your’e there
Once there, you can have a great time cooling from the heat of the day in the wilderness. The only problem is that since 2017, people cannot swim in these pools. This resulted from numerous injuries as people were jumping off the waterfall and injuring themselves in the shallow pools below. Nevertheless, this small yet fascinating destination offers an ideal stop with its crystal clear water pools.
Only make sure not to go down there with sandals. Trekking down the slope to the waterfall is not as easy as a family walk. Consider bringing with you some ideal hiking boots. If you like being out in the wilderness, then this waterfall is worth a try. It offers all the serenity you would ever ask for in a spot away from the crowds.
Poiano Springs – Fonti di Poiano
These springs offer yet another impressive destination to check out in Italy. They are located in the Villa Minozzo region. The source and the flow itself are quite amazing, with around 600 liters per second flow. The water is highly saline with minerals, both physically and chemically. It has a high level of sodium chloride, which makes it unique and intriguing scenery to visit. The interest in this spot isn’t new; it has been a cause for curiosity since the 1600s. The spot has an even longer history since about 2 million years ago; this area was under the sea. Then the sea evaporated, leaving the salinity in the hills.
It all started with the quest to exploit the area’s salinity. These waters have several therapeutic indications like constipation in the digestive organs, moderate liver dysfunction, and gallbladder disease. Others include diabetes and obesity among others. If you are looking for a relaxing on a picnic day out in the wilderness, then this is it.
How to get there
You can access them off the bridge Gatta in Castelnovo ne’ Monti town, Le Salse locality. Once you leave the town (which is not hard to find once you are in Italy) and proceed down, head for the banks of river Secchia. It only takes about two hours to reach the springs. The sources stand out thanks to their copious and whitish flow. You can take different routes through the woods, or reach it with a car if you so wish. Then enjoy a nice lawn where you can play.
What to do there
Among the things, you can enjoy include the beautiful fish in the flow. The short walk to the scenic destination takes you through paths that let you see the springs from different points. You will find perfect spots to enjoy the sun and relaxing shades under trees. Then there are tables where you can enjoy your lunch.
There’s also a bar and restaurant with impressive services. And yeah, you can take a bath in the end part of the stream as it enters the Secchia River. Among the reasons why these springs are worth a hard look is that they flow all year around. And every time of the year, the scene and the experience is always breathtaking.
Lago Santo Modenese
Italy has many exciting destinations to check out, and this lake is one of the top options on the list. The lake is about 1,501 meters above sea level, and formed from partly glacier and partly landslides. At 1250m perimeter, about 20 meters at its deepest point, and around 550 meters it’s the largest natural lake in the Apennines. The lake has three tributaries flowing into it, one flowing from Boccaia, the other from the Serra coast. And the last stream flows from a grassy 150m long, 600m long Borra dei Porci terrace that hangs about 150m above the lake surface.
Accessing this lake is easy from the nearest and largest village – Pievepelago along Brenner road. From here, you can turn to state road that connects to Passo delle Radicci as you head out to the wilderness Then you will find signs for the Tagliole village and Lake Santo. If you are coming from Abetone, you can make use of a recently opened road along the Dogana Nuova region.
Turn to the left, with the Monte Modino massif on your right side, then cross Valle delle Tagliole and several other villages as Ronchi, Rotari, and others. Along the lake’s shores, you can park your car in a large parking lot available. You can reach it easily from a car park in only a few minutes.
What to do there
This makes a scenic destination for anyone seeking to enjoy the Italian wilderness away from the heat of the city. Have an adventurous time and enjoy the cool, clear and fresh waters and fantastic scenery out here. From swimming to bathing, diving and just kicking back and relaxing, the fun is almost endless. There is always a reason to visit this lake; it has a rich history that you can want to relive. But it’s the lovely scene and the fun out there that will blow you away.
Polle di Molbacco
For a place with fresh and cold bathing water, this is where you need to enjoy a hot summer day out in the wilderness. Here, you will find natural pools for an unparalleled experience. It only takes a few minute hike from Versilia. But finding these pools can prove challenging, make sure to have sensible shoes on. Also, be careful with the stepping-stones. You don’t want to bear an excruciating trek back to your villa.
So, how do I get there?
There are many routes to get to these pools. One of these is crossing Pietrasanta, and proceeding right along the riverbank. Head straight to and past Vallecchia, then cross a bridge and take to the right. Another option is approaching from Pietrasanta, head to Querceta, once you reach the second traffic light, proceed to the underpass and take the route to Monti, past Pozzi and Ripa.
Once you get here, the path is mostly the same. When you get past Corvaia, you will find a fork in the river, with an iron bridge to the right, go for the left-side road. This one will take you past Seravezza, Riomago as well as Molbacco. Keep going right ahead, around 1.2 km past Molbacco, you will come to the first pool on your left. There’s also an ample parking space. Proceed for another 2 km, you will find a sign on the left. You can park here and proceed on a footpath that descends about 10 minutes through the woods to Molbacco.
What to do
You can have fun in these pools, bathing and swimming to cool off the hot sun in the wilderness. It’s best to bring with you a packed lunch. And come in the late morning hours for the best experience. Molbacco pools are among the best destinations you can go for, there’s a lot to see and do. The experience is outright unique.
Apparently, Italy has a whole lot to offer for virtually every adventurer. And these four destinations offer some of the best treats by far. You can always step out there and have all the fun in the cool water. Have a scenic view of the virgin wilderness and enjoy the ample environment away from the cities. The fun is ever flowing out there; go and have a share of this bliss.