PERIOD
June-September
DURATION
2 days-1 night
LOCATION
Bisegna, Abruzzo
GROUP SIZE
8 people
ACCOMMODATION
Mountain hut
LENGTH
7-10 km per day
ELEVATION GAIN
400 m per day
DIFFICULT
Moderate
Participants should be able to walk in the mountain without difficulties however, there are plenty of stops as you wait silently with binoculars to view wildlife.
The sun has just set behind the crest and the forest slowly melts into the shadows. In the progressing darkness, you rapidly find yourself immersed in the bluish and undefined atmosphere of the nightfall. Centuries of persecution, however, have modified the habits of the animals, which, to escape human presence, have focused the rhythms for their activities mainly on the night time.
During this tour we travel together in one of Abruzzo´s wolf territories then, several tales will keep us company during the dinner, in the shelter, near the fireplace. Hearing wolves howl is one of the most exciting experiences that you can have in nature. We cannot guarantee that this will happen, but we hear wolves howl on some of our tours.
Depending on the current situation with the wolves we may search for paw prints, droppings, killed prey and other tracks that can prove that wolves are around. We also meet sheep and shepherds and we can learn about conflict and coexistence with them.
Small groups for more genuine experiences: maximum 8 participants per guide ensuring an intimate experience respecting environment and wildlife.
We aim for our clients to offer an exclusive experience searching for and learning about keystone species such as wolf.
It was wild, untamed music and it echoed from hillsides and filled the valleys. It sent a queer shivering feeling along my spine. It was not a feeling of fear, you understand, but a sort of tingling, as if there was hair on my back and it was hackling.
DAY 1 – How many wolves are there
Meeting in Bisegna at 3pm. Introduction of the guide in the visitor center of the and moving to the starting point of the path. We will walk along a forest full of beautiful beech trees, with mosses and lichens, and we will walk along a wild valley where you can experience the wild fauna. We will be able to observe from an high point a plateau in which wolves live and we will wait for their passage. The arrival in the shelter is in the evening, walking under an enchanting starry sky and seeing fireflies dancing in the wood. Dinner with local products and overnight stay.
3 h of walk · 400 m up
DAY 2 – Live like a wolf in a man world’s
After a hearty breakfast, departure for an high-altitude hike, through plateaus populated from shepherds who experienced the transhumance in the past. There are always beautiful views and if there are good weather conditions you can see Gran Sasso d’Italia, Mount Velino and the Majella Massif. During the path you will hear tales of a thousand-year history, full of wisdom. During the path it could be possible to spot the fauna of Abruzzo National Park. In the first afternoon we come back to the cars.
5 h of walk · 400 m up · 600 m down
Prices
€ 130 / per adult
What’s included
Guide and organization
Accommodation in a mountain refuge
Dinner and breakfast
Packed lunch
Headlamps
Binocular Nikon Prostaff 8×42
Professional liability insurance
What is not included
Any transports
Extra and personal expenses
Travel insurance
We will stay in a mountain hut in one of the wildest area of the Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise National Park, to increase chances and observe wildlife at sunrise and sunset.
The accommodation will be in a shared room with the bathroom, hot water and electricity. We will propose you a rich dinner and a hearty breakfast. You will need personal sleeping sheet. Due to the particular summer drought, water use for showers may be restricted by the operator.
Although the best season to observe wolves is in winter, that experience allows us to know the high sociality of the packs. During the summer season highs plateau are frequented by wolves to catch wild boars, hares, roe deers and deers.
Booking available each weekend starting from June to August. Check availability on calendar dates.
Before you start walking, it’s good to remember that the temperature variation between day and night on the mountain planes, that is, the change in temperature after sunset, can be also 20 degrees. Therefore, you need to bring warm clothes in order to spend a pleasant evening here.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
CLOTHING
Waterproof jacket with hood
Warm jacket
Lightweight trousers
Lightweight t-shirts
Worn in hiking boots or shoes
Warm hat
Thin gloves
BAG AND SLEEPING
Rucksack (30+ liters)
Sleeping bag
Ear-plugs
Personal first-aid kit
Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
Quick-dry towel
Alcohol hand-gel
Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
Water bottles or water bladder (at least 1 l)
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Binocular
Headlamp
Sure can! Over 30% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
This activity is especially designed for young 14+ and adults as we need to spend evening in high mountain and wait silently a few hours. To find kid’s activities click there
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.
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 at the list of Collegio Guide Alpine Abruzzo and subscribed a professional insurance.
We suggest you to book on line travel 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.
Bisegna is one of the 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 SP17 until the town. FROM PESCARA (Highway A25 Roma – Pescara): from Pescara highway A25 until Pescina exit, go on towards SP17 until the town. FROM NAPLES (Highway A1 Naples – Rome): from Naples highway A1 until Caianello exit, enter SS85 towards Venafro and then proceed on SR83 until Pescasseroli and Bisegna.
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 Flixbus or Prontobus company that connects Roma and Ciampino airports to Abruzzo.