Kayak
Discover Le Marche from the waterline.
Kayaking offers a rare perspective - where land ends and the wild begins.
Whether you’re navigating calm lakes or sea-carved cliffs, every paddle stroke brings you closer to the wild.
From first-timers to seasoned paddlers, Le Marche welcomes all.
Its diverse waterways offer the perfect conditions to explore at your own pace - peaceful lakes for beginners, flowing rivers for those seeking rhythm, and rugged coastlines for the bold.
Choose the path less taken. Let water be your trail.
How to
Gear up for the adventure
Choose your kayak based on the water:
- Touring kayaks are best for flat lakes and slow rivers.
- Shorter, stable kayaks suit rougher waters or coastal paddling.
Essentials: life jacket, adjustable paddle, waterproof layers. Plan your route and check conditions- safety is part of the adventure.
Master a few basic strokes:
- The J-stroke for better control
- The glide stroke for efficiency
- The break point technique for handling currents
Breathtaking routes across sea, rivers and lakes
Explore stunning canoe adventures through Le Marche’s lakes, rivers, and sea. From mountain gorges to coastal cliffs, each route offers a unique, quiet journey into the wild heart of this untamed Italian region - where nature still sets the pace.
Distance: 15 km (~15 min)
Metauro River – San Lazzaro Gorge & Marmitte dei Giganti
Tucked near the dramatic Furlo Gorge is a lesser-known but equally mesmerizing canyon: the San Lazzaro Gorge. Carved by the Metauro River between Calmazzo and Fossombrone, this narrow passage winds through vertical rock walls up to 30 meters high.
Paddling upstream is surprisingly easy thanks to the river’s gentle current - making this route suitable for beginners and even families with children. As you slip silently between the cliffs, the noise of the world fades away. It’s just you, the dip of your paddle, and birdsong.
Keep an eye on the cliffs - onlookers gather at the “Ponte dei Saltelli” to glimpse the Marmitte dei Giganti below. But from your canoe, the view is far more intimate and wild.
Distance: 50 km (~40 min)
Monte San Bartolo and its wild cliffs
Along the northern coast of Le Marche, Monte San Bartolo rises steeply above the Adriatic, a rugged headland of wind-sculpted cliffs, quiet coves, and untouched shoreline. Just outside Pesaro, this protected area offers some of the most scenic sea kayaking in the region.
Whether you join a guided tour or set out on your own, paddling here means tracing the edge of the land where wild meets water. Glide beneath towering cliffs, slip into hidden inlets, and discover a slower, quieter side of the Adriatic - one that’s only visible from the sea.
Distance: 90 km (~1:10 h)
Conero coast to the beach of "Le Due Sorelle"
The Conero Riviera is a rare geological rebellion along the otherwise flat Adriatic coast. Sharp limestone cliffs rise from the sea, creating wild beaches and coves accessible only by water.
By canoe, you’ll discover everything: the secluded beach of Mezzavalle, the serene bay of Portonovo, and the towering sea stacks of the Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle. It’s a sacred kind of coastline, where pine resin blends with sea salt, and silence echoes against stone.
Glide past historical watchtowers and the Romanesque church of Santa Maria in Portonovo, their outlines lit by sunrise or sunset. From your canoe, the view feels timeless - like paddling through a painting.
Distance: 105 km (~1:20 h)
Lake Cingoli, a still mirror among the hills
A short distance from Cingoli - known as the "Balcony of Le Marche" - you’ll find Lake Cingoli (also called Lake Castreccioni), the region’s largest artificial lake. Here, the canoe becomes a vessel for stillness.
Paddle across calm waters surrounded by forested hills, with sweeping views of Monte San Vicino. Day or night, the experience is immersive - moonlit paddles offer a whole new kind of magic. And when you’re done, take a refreshing swim: the water here is clean, clear, and inviting.
Distance: 115 km (~2 h)
Lake Fiastra, wilderness in the Sibillini Mountains
Set deep within the Monti Sibillini National Park, Lake Fiastra is a calm-water refuge for quiet paddles and big skies. This alpine lake, formed by damming the Fiastrone River, is ideal for first-time paddlers and seasoned adventurers alike.
Early mornings offer mirror-like reflections of the surrounding peaks. At night, you can paddle under the stars - catching meteor showers, tracing constellations, and feeling part of something vast and still.
