Discover the wild side of Abruzzo National Park
Tour Highlights
Discover the wild side of Abruzzo National Park, high in the Apennines and home to brown bear, lynx, chamois and wolf lies the Abruzzo National Park, one of the oldest in Italy, established in 1922. Here we walk among the huge beech forests, mountain passes and lakeside villages in what is the secret heart of the country. The carpeted woodland of Abruzzo National Park in every season is a scramble of textures and colors as you weave through the mountain maples, black pine & beech trees. It is highly unlikely that you will see a marsican bear on your holiday, they are an ‘invisible attraction’. But a visit to The Abruzzo National Park, its scenery and environment changing from season to season, is always an enjoyable experience. Thanks to the temperate climate, it is possible to visit the Park all year round. Spring is one of the best period, when nature reawakens with its blossoming and birdsong; or autumn, when the forests are clothed in rich warm colors Follow us on Facebook!
Tour Itinerary
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DAY 1: ROME/BARREA
As first day, group assemble in Rome airport or in your hotel in Rome . Leaving Rome we head to Abruzzo crossing mountains and tunnels, to have a view of an unknown face of Italy, small villages located on top of high mountains. Everywhere high peaks, green meadows, lush trees. We are in one of the oldest protected areas of Europe: the Abruzzo National Park. Our hotel will be in Barrea, located near the biggest lake of the area. Short walk getting to know the area.
Accommodation in hotel and dinner. -
DAY 2: BARREA/COLLE SANT'JANNI-CAMOSCIARA/CIVITELLA/BARREA
Today we will walk across one of the most beautiful forest of the park. Spectaculars views of the high peaks of the Camosciara massif are the backdrop to this route where it is possible with the help of luck to watch tracks and signs of the presence of the Brown Bear and the Wolf! Along the
way, many different variety of flowers.Breakfast in hotel. Packed or picnic lunch. Dinner in hotel
12km, 350m total ascent -
DAY 3: BARREA/MONTE SAN NICOLA/VALLE FONDILLO/BARREA
A great day, a great hike: we take a short ride to the Pass of Forca d’Acero, from where we begin our wonderful walk, one of the best in the park. All the way up to Monte San Nicola from where a long descent will take us in the beautiful Val Fondillo.Breakfast in hotel. Packed or picnic lunch. Dinner in hotel
14km, 500m total ascent -
DAY 4: THE LAKE ALIVE
Today we will hike up to the lake alive, so called as it appears during spring and disappear when all the snow is melted. We walk to meadows and secret places with wonderful views and high peaks, home of lynx, bears, wolves and other big mammals, the real population of the Park.Breakfast in hotel. Packed or picnic lunch. Dinner in hotel
16km, 700m total ascent -
DAY 5: TOUR DAY
A tour of some of the best places of Abruzzo: first, we will visit the medieval village of Scanno on the shores of the lake of the same name with its intricate network of streets, mansions and unexpected small squares. Then a beautiful drive along the Sagittario gorge will take us to Sulmona, the birthplace of the great poet Ovid, where we will stop for lunch (free). Sulmona is also the home place for “confetti”, Italian for sugar-almonds, the world famous bon-bon made with almond glaced with sugar. From here we will follow the road to Pacentro, medieval towered village on a panoramic edge of the Majella mountain, before we descend for a visit to the picturesque ancient village of Pescocostanzo, at almost 1400 mt (5000 feet) of altitude, where we will stop for a wonderful dinner in a small, traditional restaurant.Breakfast in hotel. Free lunch (not included). Dinner in typical restaurant. -
DAY 6: BARREA/LA RUSTICA/THE CAMPITELLI PLATEAU AND THE SPRING - BARREA
A wonderful walk full of variation that takes to an excellent place for bird watching and flower watching in some of the most attractive areas and one of the finest hikes of the Park. After the walk, we descend towards Barrea through an ancient road once used by Sheppard. In the evening there is a picnic, where Carmelo, our host, cooks many local specialties and a genuine local shepherd make ricotta with sheep-milk for our dinner!Breakfast in hotel. Packed or picnic lunch. Dinner in hotel
14km, 350m total ascent -
DAY 7: BARREA/THE ROSES VALLEY, THE SPRING-BARREA
A wonderful various hike which will take us up to the high mountains, where the chamois roam free and are easy to spot, and down to the spring for one of the longest but most wonderful walk of the week.Breakfast in hotel. Packed or picnic lunch. Dinner in hotel
16km, 800m total ascent -
DAY 8: BARREA/ROMA
After an early breakfast we drive back at Rome airport or your hotel in Rome – end of service.
