Highlights of this trip
The best way to discover Abruzzo is to immerse yourself in its rugged, wild nature and let yourself be carried away by the fascination of discovery. Most of the region’s mountainous areas have been protected by parks and reserves for years.
Standing out among these are two massifs that are close geographically, but radically different in appearance and habitats. With the severe, imposing summit of the Corno Grande, the Gran Sasso massif jealously guards Europe’s southernmost glacier. Amongst its barren, vertical rock faces, the scenery is almost Alpine. This is the mountain of Abruzzo par excellence, bordered on the southern side by the high plateau of Campo Imperatore, a boundless karst plain of breath-taking beauty.
A little further south is the fascinating ridge of the Majella massif, the “mother mountain” for the people of Abruzzo, guardian of history, nature and man. It is the mountain of silence and spirituality, a land of shepherds, hermits and brigands, but also an extraordinary repository of nature, with a wealth of plant species and endemic flora.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Hike through the imposing peaks of Italy’s great wilderness, known as the green region of Europe
- Canoe the crystalline Tirino River and pedal across the remote Campo Imperatore plateau
- Scramble to the teetering summit of the highest mountain in the Apennines
Photogallery
what does this journey look like?
DAY 1 – Calascio and the fortified stronghold
Meeting with guides in the Avezzano Terminal Bus and transfer in the charming village of Castel del Monte. Presentation of the programme and short hike to Rocca Calascio. We visit the charming ancient stone-built village and the ruins of the castle, the natural set for the film Ladyhawke. On our return to Santo Stefano di Sessanio, we pass the picturesque octagonal church of Santa Maria della Pietà and wonderful fields of lentils and other pulses. Transfer to Castel del Monte, relaxation in the hotel and dinner..
DAY 2 – Cathedrals of stone
After breakfast, short transfer and departure for the long hike to the saddle of Monte Aquila (2,335 m) and Campo Pericoli at the foot of the Corno Grande (2,912 m). On the circular walk, we observe most of the peaks in the Gran Sasso massif. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon, relaxation and dinner with local products.
DAY 3 – The sources of the Tirino, Italy’s cleanest river
After an exiting e-bike ride in the morning, we leave Castel del Monte for Capestrano to admire the crystal-clear waters of the River Tirino, one of Europe’s clearest rivers. In canoes, we paddle through an environment of authentic charm. Possibility for a lunch at the Terre di Solina agritourism and transfer to the Majella National Park. Short walk at sunset to discover the history of the “mother mountain”, once home to monks, hermits and shepherds. Back down to the valley, accommodation in B&B, dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 4 – Walking on the moon
Breakfast with local products and transfer by car to the Pomilio Refuge, from where we take the path to Monte Acquaviva (2737 m). After passing through dense dwarf mugo pine scrub, we come to the Tavole dei Briganti, then on up to the panoramic Fusco Bivouac and imposing rock amphitheatre of the Murelle. From there, the view extends over a barren, rocky, desolate environment. If you look carefully, you can see rare, endemic plant species that survive as if by miracle on the surface of this lunar landscape. On a clear day, you feel as though you could dive into the sea. Back down to the valley in the evening, dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 5 – Among hermitages and villages, a timeless charm
After breakfast, preparation of luggage and check out. The last day is dedicated to an easy walk in the Orfento Valley, a fairy-tale place shaped by the force of the water which has created soaring walls, caves and waterfalls across the limestone rock. All this is framed by dense green riparian vegetation, giving the water a distinctive colour. In the late morning, back down to the valley, possibility for a lunch at the agritourism and departure of participants with a last transfer to the Avezzano Terminal Bus station.
Practical information
Dates & Availability
- 10 – 14 June 2026
- 15 – 19 July 2026
- 26 – 30 August 2026
This trip can also be booked as a private tour for 2 or more people. Ask us for the options.
Costs (Included & Excluded)
€790 per person
Included:
- Guide and organization
- Accommodation in a small hotel, shared double room
- Dinner and breakfast
- E-bike rental
- Canoe rental
- Internal transfers
Excluded:
- Travel to/from Avezzano Trainstation (or Pescasseroli if you come by car)
- Lunches
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
Logistics / Transport
The tour includes a series of internal transfers, starting from the Avezzano bus station, where our guide will pick you up at 2 pm. If you are coming from Rome, please consult the timetables of the Prontobus and LineaRoma companies, which provide connections from Rome Fiumicino and Rome Ciampino airports or from Rome Tiburtina railway station to Avezzano railway station. For any assistance in organising your trip, please contact us.
For those who want to travel independently, you can go directly to Pescasseroli.
Due to possible adverse weather conditions during this travel day, we ask that you DO NOT book train or bus out of Avezzano Terminal Bus any earlier than 3 pm.
Accommodation
Accommodation is offered in shared double rooms in a characteristic family-run hotel. These tours are usually made up of singles, couples and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, most of whom are between 25 and 50 years old. These adventures are suitable for solo travellers and attract people with a common mindset: a love of nature, a desire to go further and meet like-minded people.
Food
Breakfast is both sweet and savoury, with plenty of homemade cakes and good coffee. In the evening, we’ll enjoy dishes from the peasant and rural tradition, from soups made from pulses grown around Santo Stefano di Sessanio, to refined desserts with saffron from L’Aquila.
The region still produces many typical cheeses, such as “canestrato” from Castel del Monte, together with “mortadellina” cured pork sausage from Campotosto and the famous arrosticini. The various dishes will always be accompanied by a full-bodied Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine.
Lunches are not included, but every morning we’ll be able to buy a packed lunch from the local shops and bakeries, or we can stop at the mountain refuges to make the most of our days in the open air. Requests for vegetarian, vegan or special dietary requirements can be accommodated, so please remember to indicate these preferences when booking.
Health & Safety
The routes do not present any technical difficulties, but good physical preparation is required for the duration of the trip and for some of the hikes with significant differences in altitude. No specific experience is required for canoeing, but for the e-bike activity you will need to be able to ride a mountain bike on secondary routes.
Carefully following your guide’s instructions is key—not only for safety, but also to increase your chances of a meaningful encounter with wildlife. Moving quietly, keeping your distance, and leaving no trace allows for a truly authentic and respectful experience, with minimal impact on the environment and the animals.
We are working with Rewilding Apennines to ensure that this journey achieves net zero emissions by supporting their programmes and ensuring the protection and restoration of natural environments outside protected areas.
Testimonials
Local team & guide
Valeria Roselli
Since she was a child, Valeria walked along the paths through the forest of the mountains where she was born. Her curiosity led her to explore and get to know the territory. Her love of nature and for the Abruzzo mountain’s became her passion, which then became her profession. She is now a nature guide, environmental interpreter and international mountain leader, and one of the most expert guides in the Italian Apennines.
Umberto Esposito
Since his childhood Umberto has lived in the historical area of the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise. After graduating, he began his career as a nature guide, combining two great passions in one profession: nature and photography. In 2009 he founded a small tour operator whose mission is to bring people closer to nature. Umberto is also a vital part of several multi media projects in the Central Apennines.