Barrea: a guide to the village, the lake and the best hikes nearby

The history of Barrea

A territory before the village: Vallis Regia

To truly understand Barrea’s origins, it helps to widen the lens to the Upper Sangro Valley, traditionally identified as Vallis Regia (between Barrea, Villetta Barrea, Civitella Alfedena and nearby villages, roughly between Barrea and Opi). Human presence here is attested as early as prehistoric times and, from the first millennium BC, settlements and necropolises become more recognisable—evidence of Italic and Samnite communities.

Prehistory: the valley’s earliest visitors

Vallis Regia was periodically visited by prehistoric humans, as shown by the many stone tools found in the area and nearby. Particularly significant is Graziani Cave (near Villetta Barrea), which yielded finds dating back to the Upper Palaeolithic. It is likely that during interglacial periods the valley was reached by hunting groups coming from lower elevations (Marsica, the Peligna Valley and surrounding areas), searching for large game and flint.

The presence of settled farming and herding communities, however, is not clearly documented until the first millennium BC, when the area’s oldest necropolises date back to.

Italic and Roman period: necropolises, Samnites and romanisation

Several necropolises have been explored in Vallis Regia, dating from the 7th century BC to the 4th century BC. The oldest burials were found in the Colleciglio area and—by type and grave goods—show affinities (though not identical) with other Upper Sangro sites, such as the necropolises of Alfedena and Val Fondillo: hence the expression “Sangritana culture”.

These were farming and herding communities with a strong warrior character, documented by tombs containing weapons and by the symbolic use of arms to indicate the deceased’s rank. In some 4th–5th century BC graves, typical Samnite items were found, such as a bronze belt associated with a skyphos-type vessel, confirming the presence in the valley of Samnite populations belonging to the Pentri tribe.

After the end of the Samnite wars, the territory began a slow process of romanisation—social, economic and cultural changes that led to full Roman citizenship by the 1st century BC. In Imperial times, Vallis Regia consolidated an economy based on transhumant pastoralism towards what is now northern Apulia.

Lake Barrea: a blue gem in the Sangro Valley

Originally created as an artificial reservoir, Lake Barrea has blended into the landscape of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park with surprising naturalness. Today it is one of the most evocative corners of the Upper Sangro: a mirror of water reflecting forests and mountains, a favourite spot for nature walks, outdoor activities and quiet moments—especially in spring and summer.

A man-made lake turned a biodiversity hotspot

Although it is an artificial basin, the lake is recognised as a Ramsar wetland of international importance. Its shores and riparian woods (willows and white poplars) form a mosaic of micro-habitats that changes season by season.

It is a key area for waterbirds: during migration and wintering you may spot species such as the great crested grebe, little grebe, mallard, common teal, Eurasian wigeon, common pochard and Eurasian coot. Along the shores, species such as the grey heron, moorhen, mallard and also some pairs of little grebe nest (or regularly frequent the area).

Beyond the lake: the Sangro “water corridor”

What also makes Barrea special is what flows right beside the fortified village: the Sangro River and its gorges. Here the water becomes running again—cool and oxygen-rich—an ideal habitat for some of the most fascinating (and discreet) species of Apennine streams.

In the summer of 2018, after more than 40 years since the last confirmed report, a new presence of Eurasian otter was recorded upstream of the Barrea dam. This led the Park to start a systematic survey in 2019, entrusted to the University of Molise. Seeing the otter remains rare: more often the river “speaks” for it through tracks and signs along quieter banks, especially at times of low disturbance.

For birdwatchers, the Sangro is a small natural training ground: just stop silently along a stretch of current and wait. On rocks midstream you may notice the dipper; a little further downstream, where the flow slows and branches hang over the water, the common kingfisher may appear—a blue flash skimming the surface, often caught only out of the corner of your eye.

Barrea: what to see in the historic centre

Barrea Castle and its two towers

The ultimate panoramic viewpoint over the lake and the valley is the Monumental Castle, recognisable by its city walls and two towers: an older square-plan tower and a circular one added later to strengthen defence and control access to the village.

The fortress, generally dated between the 11th and 12th centuries, is linked to local feudal history (the Di Sangro family and later other lords). Over the centuries it suffered damage and restorations: an important intervention is remembered in the 19th century; after Italian unification the complex became private property and, more recently, it has been restored for cultural and tourism purposes.

Visiting is already a small journey back in time: you enter the fortified centre through Porta di Sopra (Upper Gate) and climb between alleys and tightly packed houses that also served as defensive “walls”. At the top, the tower offers wide views over the Sangro Valley and the Park’s mountains—at sunset, as the light shifts on the lake, the effect is truly special.

The Antiquarium of Safine Civilisation

In the heart of the village, the Antiquarium tells a story far older than the medieval settlement: the Italic communities of the Upper Sangro. The exhibition brings together funerary grave goods from local necropolises, dating between the late 7th and 6th century BC (especially from the Colleciglio area, often also referred to as Colle Ciglio).

The route is short but rich in detail: among everyday objects and ornaments you can glimpse rituals and beliefs, and the care devoted to some child burials is striking. Among the most curious finds are materials suggesting wider contacts and exchanges, such as small beads or glass artefacts and fine-tradition ceramics.

The Bat Room

Just before reaching the castle, you’ll find a room dedicated to bats: an educational centre with panels, photos and audiovisual material that helps people understand these mammals—extremely important for ecosystems and often victims of misconceptions.

The highlight is the “live” observation: thanks to cameras installed in an adjacent space, you can follow a colony of around 170 greater horseshoe bats. The visit is especially recommended in the warmer months, when the colony’s activity is more evident.

Barrea: recommended itineraries

From Barrea to Lago Vivo via Valle dell’Inferno

Set in a grassy basin at the foot of Monte Iamiccio, Monte Petroso and Monte Altare, Lago Vivo is one of the most fascinating hikes to do near Barrea, in the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. It’s a panoramic and “geological” itinerary because it crosses environments shaped by karst and glaciations: sinkholes, small cavities, smoothed rocks and moraine deposits that tell—step by step—the story of the Apennines.

The name is no coincidence: Lago Vivo is a seasonal karst lake. It usually fills mainly in spring, thanks to snowmelt and rainfall, and then tends to shrink or disappear when water drains underground through swallow holes and subterranean channels. For this reason, the best time to find it at its fullest is spring (or early summer after particularly snowy years), when water and high-altitude meadows create a truly special setting.

From April to June we organise guided hikes to Lago Vivo and the Rio Torto Valley to admire the beautiful Grotta dello Schievo.

Hikes with local guides

With Wildlife Adventures, we run guided experiences year-round in the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, with Barrea as an ideal starting point to explore forests and panoramic ridgelines. From family-friendly hikes to more demanding outings, we’ll help you discover the area with the right pace, landscape interpretation and a strong focus on safety.

You can choose itineraries such as Lago Vivo, the magic of a sunrise hike at high altitude, e-bike outings like the Lake Barrea loop, or a Canadian canoe experience on Lake Barrea for a dynamic way to enjoy the Park. Our guides work with a respectful approach: no shortcuts—just nature observed with discretion and awareness.