Time of the Bear: a 4-Day Spring Trek in Abruzzo’s National Park

Compared to most brown bear habitats on the Planet the limited area of the Abruzzo National Park means that the lives of our Marsican bears are closely linked to the surrounding landscape. We’ll spend four days learning about their habits and territories.

In the heart of Abruzzo National Park Spring appears to the eyes of the visitor as an unfolding display of colours, expanding day by day from below and gradually encompassing the entire mountain scenery. April’s showers make the vegetation lush so for some herbivores species it is time to nurse the new-borns while Bears linger in the mixed forest either nibbling on hornbeams shoots or digging through the litter for acorns and beechnuts.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 – The Abruzzo National Park, the last Italian Bear stronghold

Free arrival in Pescasseroli, in the afternoon, settling in at the hotel and presentation of the guide. At 4pm, departure for a first easy hike until sunset. In the evening, return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

2 hours walk · 4 km length · 200 m climb · 200 m descent

DAY 2 – A bear spring landscape

Departure at sunrise for a close-by wildlife watching session. After a hearty breakfast we embark on a delightful excursion through the forests of bear country. Surrounded by the astonishing beauty of the luxuriant mountain scenery, these well-preserved forest habitats closely represent the actual primordial stage of the beech-forest ecosystem in the Apennines. We’ll get to know the inhabitants of our beech woods ecosystem. We may not see any wild animals, but our guide will show you many interesting signs of them: bears, wolves, pine martens… they all live here and we are nothing but the humble visitors in their home. Return to the hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.

5 hours walk · 9 km length · 400 m climb · 400 m descent

DAY 3 – Snow water

Last day’s adventure ended late, but bears usually move very early in the morning! After a good coffee we will set off for a wildlife watching session in the Southern area of the park. Once the sun is high on the horizon we’ll head to the nearest village to pack our equipment and prepare for the next long excursion to the karst area of Lago Vivo, a small natural lake fed by the melting snow water. A long descent will take us to the enchanting springs of the Rio Torto, located in a cave where pure waters flows. We’ll return to the hotel in the late afternoon to relax. Dinner and overnight stay.

5 hours walk · 13 km length · 400 m climb · 400 m descent

DAY 4 – Beyond the park

As a result of improved ecological conditions outside the national Park, our bears stories are no longer confined to the boundaries of the protected area but extend further into the areas that the species is slowly reclaiming. On our last day together, we’ll explore some of the areas on the borders of the National Park to see first-hand the actions and the efforts being made to improve the coexistence between human activities and wildlife in the so-called Bear Smart communities. End of activities in the afternoon, departure of participants.

5 hours walk · 9 km length · 300 m climb · 300 m descent

Highlights

Spring still sees low tourist numbers, making it ideal for those seeking peace and authenticity. It’s a perfect time for nature photographers thanks to soft light, vivid colors, and especially active wildlife.
The season of greatest activity begins for the Marsican brown bear, the emblematic species of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, with long explorations in valley bottoms and mixed forests.
Ancient beech trees dress again in leaves, creating unique landscapes of soft light and shadows. The undergrowth and high-altitude meadows burst with spring blooms: crocuses, anemones, violets, and wild orchids.

Costs

from 420,00 €

What's included

Guide and organisation
Hotel accommodation
Dinner and breakfast
Nikon Prostaff 8×42 binoculars
Professional indemnity insurance

What is excluded

Lunches
Any transports
Personal Travel insurance
Extra and personal expenses

In Italy, wildlife is particularly elusive: spotting animals requires respect, silence, and patience. Most species are active at dawn or dusk, when human disturbance is at its lowest. It's essential to adapt to early starts, changing weather conditions, and long periods of silent waiting.

Some species require a more active approach, with several hours of hiking needed to reach the best observation areas. Carefully following your guide’s instructions is key—not only for safety, but also to increase your chances of a meaningful encounter. 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.

Essential tips and useful details for a smooth and enjoyable stay

It is advisable to dress in layers so that you can lighten your clothing during the day. Even in high summer, warm and windproof clothing is required at sunset. Waterproof hiking boots are mandatory and you will not be allowed to join the excursion if you do not have them. Only use odourless insect repellent spray and sunscreen.

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.

Accommodation is pre-arranged by our tour leader in a small, charming, family-run hotel, in shared double rooms.

Lunch is not included, you will buy packed lunches each morning from the guesthouse or local shops and bakeries to take with you. For dinner you'll enjoy traditional Italian dishes such as maccheroni alla chitarra - a special kind of spaghetti, soup with orapi (wild spinach) and beans, gnocchetti and grilled meat. The region has a strong sheep-farming culture, so there are many local dairy products such as pecorino, ricotta, caciocavallo and a rare goat's cheese called marzolina.

Requests for vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for: please do not forget to advise us of these preferences at the time of 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.

Reviews

An exciting tour for true enthusiasts

May 1, 2024

Overall a fun & exciting trip. You won’t be disappointed if you don’t put your hopes all too high. The bear population here is pretty low. Anyway, we spotted wolves at two occasions and heard their howling. Unique experience! You‘ll observe them through binoculars, close encounters are unlikely. The tour takes a non-invasive approach which I really appreciate to sustain this wild piece of land. The NP is a beautiful place. Recommended for fit wildlife enthusiasts who dare to sit still in the cold... for hours to stalk shy animals! Guide: Andrea is truly passionate about wildlife and this place. He’s not a wildlife expert/researcher but he has loads of knowledge on the local flora & fauna, history & facts about the NP. As a person, he’s perhaps a bit polarising. He drove some members of the group to their physical limits and doesn’t like to compromise too much. The hotel staff got a bit annoyed cause he was scheduling the tour on the spot as he fancied, which had us coming & leaving at odd hours. I personally got along with him very well and understand his point that, given the tour‘s description, he expects everybody to be fit & motivated to hike 10km+ a day with 300-500 elevation gain. Anyway, that’s not without a risk… For me as the only person who didn’t speak Italian, his lack of motivation to translate (which he was also quite vocal about…) was something that frustrated me a bit. Had to ask for it repeatedly. So… Passion: 10/10! Engagement: 10/10! Communication: …room for improvement :) Thanks again for helping us to explore and observe! Group: 9 participants, all age groups >30 years, everybody was nice and enthusiastic! Expect mostly Italians. Hotel: cozy mountain hotel with a warm fireplace. Rooms are comfy. Laundry 25€. Staff is friendly & helpful, sometimes just seemed a bit overwhelmed or annoyed (by the organisation). Food is not really tailored towards vegetarians but I guess the carnivorous chef tried his best and it was overall pretty good. Two out of three breakfasts were plastic wrapped toast and joghurt, a bit disappointing. Overall a decent place to briefly rest & recharge. Wildlife Adventures: Only act in the background. Briefly met the owner once when he picked us up from Avezzano which he kindly arranged in advance. It is expected to have a car, otherwise 60€ for pick-up, drop-off and drives to the hikes. Another extra 60€ if you want a single room (which I’d have preferred to know in advance). Some participants felt the actual tour deviated quite strongly from the one advertised, especially in intensity (fine with me). For the friction between hotel staff and guide as well as upcoming questions/concerns, a bit more presence would have probably been appreciated. Thanks for the experience!

Tobias Braun

Genuine gorgeous trekking in rural Italy and responsible wildlife appreciation

May 4, 2024

I liked how genuine the whole place is, accomodation were comfortable and dinner very well served and good. The area is gorgeous, logistics worked very well and the guide was very professional, respectful of Nature and wildlife and knowledgeable. This is a serious and responsible wildlife experience. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun! Left inspired and so happy! Thank you.

Marlene Gras

FAQ

Of course, a good percentage of the participants in the trip Time of the bear through the most interesting areas of the Abruzzo National Park 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.

We regret that we cannot accept dogs at the Time of the bear. 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.

This activity is especially designed for adults as we need to spend four days in high mountains and wait silently a few hours. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

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 Time of the bear 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.

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.

Pescasseroli is 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 SR83 or on SP17 until Pescasseroli. FROM PESCARA (Highway A25 Roma – Pescara): from Pescara highway A25 until Pescina exit, go on towards SR83 or towards SP17 until Pescasseroli. FROM NAPLES (Highway A1 Naples – Rome): from Naples highway A1 until Caianello exit, enter SS85 towards Venafro and then proceed on SR83 until Pescasseroli.

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.