Trekking from Gran Sasso to the Majella, mountains with a sea view

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July 16, 2025
July 30, 2025
September 10, 2025

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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.

ITINERARY

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..

3 hours walk · 6 km length · 200 m climb · 200 m descent

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.

6 hours walk · 10 km length · 600 m climb · 600 m descent

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..

2 hours cycling · 10 km · 150 m climb · 150 m descent

3 hours walk · 5 km · 150 m climb · 150 m descent

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.8

6 hours walk · 15 km · 800 m climb · 800 m descent

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..

2 hours walk · 6 km · 120 m climb · 120 m descent

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

Costs

from 795,00 €

What's included

Guide and organization
Accommodation in a small hotel
Dinner and breakfast
Professional liability insurance
E-bike rental
Canoe rental
Internal transfers

What is excluded

Lunches
Personal Travel insurance
Extra and personal expenses

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.

What to bring

With its imposing mountains, unique concentration of parks and reserves, and ancient forests, Abruzzo is the ideal place for hiking enthusiasts. Make sure you arrive well equipped by following our advice on what to wear from May to October

Accommodation is offered in shared double rooms in a characteristic family-run hotel. 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.

This trip generates an average of 103 kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities and guides.

But what does that mean?

Is it still difficult to understand your impact on the planet? To get a fuller picture:

Driving 1000km in an average car is equivalent to about 300kg of CO2 (or 150kg per person if there are two of you).
A return economy class flight between London and Rome Fiumicino is equivalent to about 670 kg per person.
It is estimated that 10 trees in a temperate forest remove about 250kg of CO2 from the air over a period of 5-10 years.

What are we doing?

We are working with all our partners and suppliers to develop long-term carbon reduction plans. 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.

FAQ

Of course, a good percentage of the participants in the trek through the most interesting areas of the Gran Sasso and Majella are single travellers.

Our 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.

This trip is specifically designed for adults and teenagers over the age of 16. Younger children can only join on request and on different dates.

We regret that we cannot accept dogs at the Gran Sasso and Majella trip. If you love your dog, you certainly love wild animals. To protect them and not to disturb them, certain precautions are necessary. For this reason, in the National Parks of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise and in many other protected areas, there are paths and areas of integral reserve where our pets cannot accompany us.

Ask for a private Gran Sasso and Majella tour if you need an exclusive experience. Whether you are a wildlife lover, photography enthusiast or simply in search of moments of peace and contemplation, our tailor-made itineraries will allow you to discover hidden corners and breathtaking landscapes in a unique and unforgettable experience.

The climate is typically Mediterranean, with pleasant temperatures and beautiful sunsets in the spring and autumn months. Of course, it is possible to have a day of bad weather, which can have an impact on the single excursion. Our guides will adapt the itinerary to the weather conditions to ensure the best possible experience.

Remember to bring all the necessary equipment and recommended clothing and before you arrive, feel free to ask your guide what to expect for your specific trip dates.

We are a fully licensed tour operator, and all our guides are qualified professionals with professional indemnity insurance. It is easy and quick to take out additional travel insurance with major insurance companies. In addition to medical, baggage, and personal accident cover, you can also add cancellation cover travel insurance. Contact us for more information.

We understand that life can sometimes be unpredictable and we are here to help you in any way we can. We strongly recommend that you take out an additional insurance policy that includes a cancellation option. This can also be requested at the time of booking.

Day Tours
- Cancellation is free up to 48 hours prior to departure. Cancellations made after this time will incur a 100% cancellation fee and will not be refunded.

Multi day tours
- Up to 30 days prior to arrival, no charge.
- 29 to 15 days prior to arrival, 50% cancellation fee.
- Less than 14 days before arrival or no show, 100% cancellation fee.

This tour includes a series of internal transfers starting from the Avezzano Bus terminal, where our guide will be waiting for you at 2 p.m. You can reach the terminal by train or by LineaRoma and Prontobus bus lines departing from Rome Fiumicino airport or Rome Tiburtina train station.

For those who want to move around independently, Castel del Monte is one of the small villages at the foot of the Gran Sasso mountain chain. It can be easily reached by car through two access points.

FROM ROME (Highway A24 Rome – L’Aquila) highway A24 until L’Aquila Est and keep following SS17 till Barisciano and Calascio. FROM PESCARA (Highway A25 Roma – Pescara): from Pescara follow A25 till Bussi/Popoli. Keep following SS153 till Capestano and then SP7, crossing Calascio, you reach Castel del Monte.

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