PERIOD
June-October
DURATION
8h
LOCATION
Campo Imperatore, Abruzzo
GROUP SIZE
12 people
LENGTH
10 km roundtrip
ELEVATION GAIN
960 m
DIFFICULT
Challenging
You need a good level of fitness, because the itinerary is long and there is a significant altitude difference.
The hike from Campo Imperatore to the highest peak of Apennines, Corno Grande, guards Abruzzo’s soul, harsh and generous at the same time.
Campo Imperatore plateau legendarily owes its name to Federico II and thanks to the unique landscape it’s called Little Tibet: a boundless karst plan of breath-taking beauty. It’s a big plateau bordered by Gran Sasso mountain range, from the severe, imposing summit of the Corno Grande to Fonte Vetica and Vado di Sole.
The Corno Grande summit is a little paradise for mountain lovers and climbers, amongst its barren, beautiful vertical rock face, the scenery is almost Alpine, with the sea so near.
Meeting with your guide in the morning at Campo Imperatore parking. The path climbs quickly towards Monte Aquila saddle: from there one can see a beautiful view to karst plateau and Corno Grande limestone walls, in distance. The landscape is bleak, unusual and charming: in roman era Campo Imperatore plateau was a timber reserve and then a grazing area.
Keep going uphill, the path follows an uncomfortable and steep scree, leaving the “crossroad” with the Campo Pericoli track, a green karst field where was built the first apennine mountain hut, Garibaldi.
Walking through Conca degli Invalidi, the ridge is close to the top and from there one can have a look at the glacier, for the first time! Deep and vertiginous! Quickly the trail reaches the top: after lunch we’ll come back on the same pathway.
Prices
€ 30 / per adult
What’s included
Guide and organization
Professional liability insurance
What is not included
Packed lunch
Any transports
Extra and personal expenses
Travel insurance
During wintertime Gran Sasso mountain range is white and snowy and becomes a challenging alpinistic ascend.The best period to climb the Corno Grande is in between July and October. Wonderful endemic flowers bloom everywhere.
See booking calendar for available dates.
Temperatures depend on season and time, warm clothes and dress up in layers is recommended: at 2.000 m above sea level, in summertime too, it could be very cold. You must have hiking boots.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
Rucksack (25-35 litre)
Waterproof jacket with hood
Warm jacket
Technical walking trousers
Technical t-shirts
Hiking boots
Warm hat
Thin gloves
Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
Water bottles or water bladder (at least 2 l)
Packed lunch
Sure can! Over 30% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
This hiking is designed for adults and young 14+, with a good level of fitness and some previous experience in hiking in mountains.
Ask for a private tour if you need an exclusive experience. Send us an e mail and we’ll answer you back with the quotation.
Refreshment point and toilet services are not available during this hike, you will eat your packed dinner and you may go in the forest… looking for your private toilet.
Outdoor activities are weather dependent. If we are forced to cancel an activity due to extreme weather conditions, an alternative date, activity or full refund will be provided. Please note that changes may occur at a short notice, even on the same day.
Our guides are registered in Collegio Guide Alpine Abruzzo and subscribed a professional insurance.
We suggest you to book on line activity insurance with World Nomads. They offer insurances designed for adventurous travellers across 140 countries that includes overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities.
Meeting with your guide at Campo Imperatore parking. FROM ROME (A24-A25 Rome-Pescara) Follow highway A24 in direction of L’Aquila. Leave the highway at Assergi. Follow the evident indications for Campo Imperatore. FROM PESCARA Follow A14 towards Ancona and turn to L’Aquila-Roma at the tollbooth in Mosciano Sant’Angelo. After the tunnel, exit in Assergi tollbooth, follow SS17 bis road, reach Fonte Cerreto and go on till Campo Imperatore.