Italy's Tirol is Like an Outdoor Playground for Athletes

Travelers usually head to Italy to carbo-load on lip-smacking cuisine and swish tasty wines, to visit ancient sites like the Pantheon and the Colosseum, or to see amazing art like Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. But sporty types in the know venture north to the South Tirol, or Südtirol, a region that identifies more with its German roots than its Italian ones (you’ll hear most people speaking Deutsch and see signs in both Italian and German).

The South Tirol’s mountainous location—with the Alps towering overhead—makes it a prime spot for skiers and snowboarders in the cold months, with Swiss-like chalets dotted all over the area to complete the experience. In the warmer months, mountain climbers and hikers hit the slopes. You’ll also see many Nordic walkers taking to the trails. They are easy to spot; Nordic walkers hike at a brisk pace while carrying what looks like ski poles. Originally designed as a cardiovascular summer training exercise for cross-country skiers, Nordic walking works your upper body while you hike. The sport, which is popular in Germany and Finland, is appropriate for all fitness levels.

Among the Italian Alps, you’ll also find the Dolomites, a mountain range with 18 peaks that soar to more than 1,000 feet. The Dolomites, which made UNESCO’s World Heritage List in June, are perfect for those who are into extreme sports as well as those who want to take a less athletic stroll through the area’s many valleys. Be sure to take a break at one of the “hütte” nestled in the mountains, where you can perk yourself up with a cappuccino, some good German brew and a slice of strudel while taking in the mountains’ vertical walls, sheer cliffs, green valleys and snow-capped tops.

If high altitudes leave you a bit dizzy, opt for seaside athletics. The annual three-day Surfestival kicks off September 11 at Torbole along Lake Garda. The fest is one of the premier windsurfing events in the world. Windsurfing races, exhibitions and free lessons for the kiddies fill up the days, while hip-hop and reggae concerts keep the nights jumping. The South Tirol’s various rivers also make it a good place to do some whitewater rafting, canoeing and kayaking. But no matter which way you decide to get your adrenaline rush, be sure to end the day with one of the local Alto Adige wines. After all, you are in Italy.