New Year’s Eve in the wildest area of Abruzzo

To the charm of year-end celebrations is added the magic of snow-covered mountains, outdoor excursions immersed in nature, and an intimate, almost exclusive atmosphere. An unusual and authentic New Year’s Eve in Abruzzo, experienced in a different way — with snowshoes on your feet. Five days of hiking in the heart of Italy’s oldest and most renowned protected area, with the chance to encounter deer, wolves, and chamois, and to visit historic villages rich in tradition and local culture.

But that’s not all. Choosing to spend New Year’s Eve in Abruzzo surrounded by nature means rediscovering a slower, more balanced rhythm of life. Meals are shared around the same table, warming up by the fireplace with rosehip herbal tea or a glass of fine Montepulciano wine. Stories are told, and experiences are shared. The beating heart of the Apennines, Abruzzo is a land full of surprises and deep connections to nature, capable of offering profound emotions and unforgettable memories.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 – Discovering Vallis Regia

Arrival at 3:00 pm in Civitella Alfedena for registration and welcome kit collection. Accommodation at the hotel and introduction to the guide. In the afternoon, an introductory walk to explore the Park area, followed by dinner at the hotel. From 9:00 pm, we will attend a traditional torchlight procession, where animated figures convey good wishes for the New Year. The event is accompanied by hot mulled wine around the large bonfire in Piazza Santa Lucia.

2h of walk · 4 km · 100 m ascent · 100 m descent

DAY 2 – Ziomas Valley and the Ferroio di Scanno

The Ziomas Valley welcomes us in silence, set in a stunning winter landscape where slopes and karst sinkholes are softened by a blanket of snow. Wind-carved patterns and the tracks of wolves and foxes guide us like pages from a fascinating story. From the saddle overlooking the Ferroio di Scanno, our gaze opens onto a breathtaking panorama, dominated by Mount Godi and Mount Marsicano, with the peaks of the Camosciara and Monte Petroso rising in the distance. Return to the hotel in the afternoon, followed by the New Year’s Eve dinner and overnight stay.

4h of walk · 8 km · 300 m ascent · 300 m descent

DAY 3 – La Difesa di Pescasseroli, the Fairy-Tale Forest

A gentle wake-up leads us along the ancient tratturello path that runs from the village of Pescasseroli through the centuries-old Difesa Forests. Here, trees take on fairytale shapes and, with a bit of luck, we may encounter foxes and roe deer.Return to Pescasseroli in the early afternoon, with a small tasting of local products at traditional shops in the town center. Return to the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay.

4h of walk · 6 km · 250 m ascent · 250 m descent

DAY 4 – The ancient forest of Pescasseroli

A soft awakening will allow us to observe an ancient beech wood where the trees are keepers of tradition, history and biodiversity. Here we can found the presence of the rare white-backed Woodpecker or the the more mysterious and rare Rosalia longicorn beetle. All this makes the ancient forest of Pescasseroli a very special place. Free afternoon. In the evening there will be the end of the year dinner with the guides and celebrations.

4h of walk · 6 km · 250 m ascent · 250 m descent

DAY 4 – Mount Meta, a Terrace Over Three Regions

At dawn we set off in the evocative landscape of the Le Forme Plateau, at the foot of Mount Meta and the Mainarde Mountain Range. A place of strong emotional impact, with rugged and wild mountains, especially striking for those who live far from such environments. Hike up to Passo dei Monaci, with the possibility of spotting deer and chamois. In the evening, visit to the village of Barrea. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.

6h of walk · 11 km · 500 m ascent · 500 m descent

DAY 5 – Terraegna Valley and the UNESCO World Heritage Forests

A pleasant snowshoe hike leads us to a panoramic terrace offering views of the main peaks of the central Apennines and the ancient forest cores of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. Within this area, small remnants of primeval forest have been discovered, where beech trees reach or exceed 500 years of age. These trees, born before the end of the Middle Ages and before Christopher Columbus reached the American continent, have been identified not only as the oldest beech trees in Europe, but also as the longest-living deciduous trees in the entire Northern Hemisphere. Packed lunch, return to the valley in the early afternoon, and conclusion of the programme.

5h of walk · 10 km · 400 m ascent · 400 m descent

Highlights

An exclusive adventure guided by expert wildlife trackers
Long days in the wilderness with classic Italian food
Visiting historic villages and participating in local traditions, experiencing life closer to nature

Costs

from 620,00 €

What's included

Guide and organization
Accommodation in a hotel, double occupancy
Dinner and breakfast
Snowshoes and pole rental
Professional liability insurance

What is excluded

Lunches
Any transports
Extra and personal expenses
Travel insurance

Essential tips and useful details for a smooth and enjoyable stay

Temperatures can range from -20°C to +10°C. We recommend that you bring warm, easily removable clothing, allowing you to adapt and remain comfortable throughout the tour. Waterproof hiking boots are mandatory and you will not be allowed to join the excursion if you do not have them.

Daypack (25+ litres)
Raincover
Waterproof jacket with hood
Fleece jacket or similar
Warm jacket
Hiking trousers
Technical t-shirts
Hiking boots
Warm hat
Thin gloves
Waterproof overtrousers
Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
Water bottles or water bladder

Whether you are going on a day hike or a multi-day trip, it is essential to prepare properly to ensure your safety and enjoyment. See our guidelines on how to equip yourself for each season.

The accommodation for the New Year’s eve in Abruzzo is provided on a double and triple basis at the Albergo La Torre in Civitella Alfedena, a characteristic family-run hotel in the heart of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park.

Lunches are not included, you will buy packed lunches from the guesthouse or local shops and bakeries each morning to take with you. Each evening you’ll be tucking into traditional Italian dishes including maccheroni alla chitarra – a special type of spaghetti, soup with orapi (wild spinach) and beans, gnocchetti and grilled meat. The region has a strong sheep rearing culture, so plenty of local dairy products are available such as pecorino, ricotta, caciocavallo and a rare goat’s cheese called Marzolina.

Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for – please just request on your passenger info form.

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.

Reviews

Abruzzo adventure

January 4, 2025

I arrived a day later than planned but I was really glad that I made the effort to travel. The area is fantastic and spending New Year's Eve and New Year's Day hiking in the mountains was wonderful. Our guides were knowledgeable and passionate about nature and I came away feeling that I had learnt something. Our accommodation was...

Lisa Bondesio

FAQ

Naturally, many of the participants on guided hikes in Abruzzo National Park are solo 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.

We regret that we cannot accept dogs during the New Year's Eve in Abruzzo. 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.

The recommended minimum age for the New Year's Eve in Abruzzo is 14 years, and participants must have previous hiking experience. Younger children may be able to participate on other dates and on a private basis, if requested.

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.

Ask for a private hike to the Abruzzo mountains 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.

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.

Civitella Alfedena is one the most important village of Abruzzo National Park, the oldest Italian protected area. It has guaranteed a life in harmony with nature for almost a century. You can easily reach it by car through three access points. FROM ROME (Highway A24 Rome – L’Aquila): from Rome highway A24 until Pescina exit, proceed on SS93 until Pescasseroli and then proceed to Civitella Alfedena. FROM PESCARA (Highway A25 Roma – Pescara): from Pescara highway A25 until Pratola Peligna exit, go on towards SS17 until Castel di Sangro and then proceed on SS83 until Civitella Alfedena. FROM NAPLES (Highway A1 Naples – Rome): from Naples highway A1 until Caianello exit, enter SS85 towards Venafro and then proceed on SS83 until Civitella Alfedena.

You can arrive by bus thanks to daily connections from Castel di Sangro and Avezzano. Check the timetable on Tuabruzzo. Connections by train are only until Avezzano station. For those who come from Rome it is possible to check the timetable of LineaRoma or Prontobus company that connects Roma and Ciampino airports to Avezzano.