Turano Valley kayaking and hiking: medieval villages

Medieval villages, a mountain hike to Roman ruins, kayaking the lake, and a night in the valley itself

A 2-day guided kayaking and hiking trip through Turano Valley combines a hike to the peak of Mt. St. John (with a Roman temple and frescoed church), kayaking on the lake in summer, visits to a ghost medieval village and a fortified town, and an overnight stay in a renovated stone house in one of Italy's top 100 small villages. The guide is an official park ranger who speaks English, Spanish, Italian and French, and children from age 4 are welcome. Meals, accommodation, equipment rental and all park fees are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore medieval village and local nature

• Visit medieval rock and narrow streets
• Enjoy dinner with local food and wine
• Stay overnight in renovated stone house
• Tour ghost medieval village with palace and garden
• Visit local waterfalls in lush nature

Day 2 — Hike mountain and kayak lake

• Hike to Mt. St. John and see temple and church
• Stop for lunch during hike
• Return to medieval village and visit castle
• Kayak on the lake (summer only)

The Experience

The valley opens on the first day with a medieval town built into the rock—narrow streets, a square overlooking the lake, and a dinner of handmade pasta and local wine in your stone house, where you sleep with a terrace view of the sunset. The next morning, an easy hike climbs Mt. St. John through old forest and past waterfalls to a Roman temple and a church with frescoes, then descends past a defensive-walled village with a Renaissance castle. Lunch happens on the trail; the walk itself is not difficult.

In summer, the second day can shift to the lake instead—the choice is yours at checkout. The water sits ringed by green mountains and small villages, and you can swim, kayak or sail depending on what you want that day. The guide is an official park ranger who carries knowledge of the flora, fauna, history and local legends as you move through the landscape. You'll also see a ghost medieval village with a palace, garden, maze and hermitage decorated with frescoes.

Transportation, all meals (breakfast and a full dinner course with local products and wine), accommodation in a private bedroom with bathroom, backpack and poles for the hike, kayak rental, castle entry fees and activity insurance are included. The stone house sits in a village that has kept its character—fireplace, terrace, the kind of place you stay in rather than pass through.

What’s included

• Private transportation through the valley.
• accommodation in a renovated stone house with private bedroom and bathroom.
• full dinner course with handmade pasta, local products, wine and dessert.
• breakfast both mornings.
• lunch on the trail.
• backpack and hiking poles.
• kayak rental in summer.
• all castle and park fees.
• activity insurance covering all activities.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Turano Experiences

Is this one for you?Two days is the length that holds the hike, the lake, the villages and a night in the valley itself—a single afternoon would force you to choose between them. The overnight stay means you arrive without rushing and leave without watching the clock, which is what turns a route into a place you actually know.

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Top questions

What's the hike like on the second day?

The hike to Mt. St. John is easy, climbing through old forest and past waterfalls to reach a Roman temple and a frescoed church at the peak. You stop for lunch on the way down, and the whole route passes through the park where your guide works as an official ranger.

Can I kayak instead of hiking on day two?

Yes—in summer you can choose to spend the second day on the lake kayaking, swimming or sailing instead of hiking. You decide at checkout which version suits your trip.

What's included in the meals?

Dinner on the first night is a full course of handmade pasta and local products with wine and dessert, served in or near your accommodation. Breakfast is included both mornings, and lunch happens on the trail during the hike (or can be arranged around your lake day if you choose that option).

Where do I sleep, and what's the village like?

You stay in a renovated stone house in a medieval village ranked in Italy's top 100 small villages. Your room is private with its own bathroom, and the house has a fireplace and a terrace overlooking the lake and sunset—the kind of place built to linger in, not just pass through.

Is this trip suitable for children?

Children are welcome from age 4. The hike is easy and the kayaking is optional, so the pace and intensity can fit a family trip. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian and French.

What equipment and fees are covered?

Backpack, hiking poles, kayak rental (in summer), all castle entry fees, activity insurance and transportation within the valley are included. You bring your own hiking boots and swimwear if you plan to kayak or swim.