The essential guidebook for walking in Abruzzo, a wild and beautiful region of Italy which includes the Maiella and Gran Sasso national parks and Sirente-Velino regional park. 40 walks include the Val di Rose, the Prati di Tivo, and an ascent of Corno Grande, the highest point in the Apennines of peninsular Italy. Walks range from 4km to 25km and there are routes for all abilities. Alongside detailed route descriptions and maps there is advice on where to stay, access and parking information to get you to the start, and a useful Italian-English glossary.
Despite being close to Rome, Abruzzo is one of Italy's least known and populated regions - a spectacular and harmonious blend of snowy mountains, grassy plains and forested canyons; of hillside olive groves, vineyards and long sandy beaches. Its stunning natural environments are protected in three national parks, one regional park and many smaller reserves. Thousands of years of history are reflected in a multitude of abandoned castles, hilltop villages and ancient farmsteads; religious dedication echoed in splendid abbeys, silent churches and remote hermitages.
Walking in Abruzzo : Gran Sasso, Maiella and Abruzzo National Parks, and Sirente-Velino Regional Park
Description
Table of Contents
Map key
Overview map
Location of walks
Introduction
Abruzzo
Geological history
Human history
Animals and birds
Plants and flowers
Food and drink
Walking in Abruzzo
When to go
Getting there
Getting around
Places to base yourself
Daily essentials
Maps
Using this guide
Advice for the trail
The Maiella National Park
Walk 1 Fara San Martino gorge and Val Serviera
Walk 2 The hermitage of San Bartolomeo di Legio
Walk 3 Monte Morrone from Passo San Leonardo
Walk 4 Morrone di Pacentro and Monte Mileto
Walk 5 The Orfento valley
Walk 6 Caramanico and the Orfento gorge
Walk 7 Monte Amaro from Lama Biancha
Walk 8 Monte Amaro from La Maielletta
Walk 9 Monte Amaro from Fonte Romana
Walk 10 The Alento valley above Serramonacesca
Walk 11 Monte Porrara ridge
Corno Grande and Campo Imperatore
Walk 12 Monte Prena and Monte Camicia
Walk 13 Santo Stefano and Rocca Calascio
Walk 14 The west summit of Corno Grande
Walk 15 The east summit of Corno Grande
Walk 16 Campo Pericoli and Pizzo Cefalone
Walk 17 Monte Bolza ridge
Walk 18 Pietracamela and Prati di Tivo
Walk 19 Monte Corvo and the Val Chiarino
Monti Della Laga
Walk 20 Monte di Mezzo circuit from Campotosto
Walk 21 Cima della Laghetta and Monte Gorzano
The Abruzzo National Park
Walk 22 Villetta Barrea and Civitella Alfedena
Walk 23 The Val di Rose
Walk 24 Monte La Meta and the Mainarde crest
Walk 25 La Terratta
Walk 26 The Scanno town and lake loop
Walk 27 Serra del Campitello and Monte Godi
Walk 28 Monte Marsicano
Walk 29 Colli Alti and Bassi from Pescasseroli
Sulmona Valley and Monte Genzana
Walk 30 Anversa degli Abruzzi and Castrovalva
Walk 31 Monte Mattone from Pettorano sul Gizio
Walk 32 Monte Genzana from Pettorano sul Gizio
Walk 33 A tour of the Valle del Gizio
The Sirente-Velino Regional Park
Walk 34 Monte Sirente
Walk 35 The Celano gorge via Fonte degli Innamorati
Walk 36 Monte Velino
Walk 37 Monte Ocre
Walk 38 Fontecchio and Pagliare di Tione
Walk 39 The Navelli plain
The Simbruini Regional Park
Walk 40 Monte Viglio
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Further access information
Appendix C Italian-English glossary
Appendix D Useful contacts
Author Description
Stuart Haines is a walker, mountain lover, guidebook writer, project manager and occasional viticulturalist. His explorations of the remoter corners of central Italy began in 2004, following many years of climbing and adventuring in the Alps, North America and his native UK. Since 2007 he has been based between Bristol, England, and Casa La Rocca, the country house in the heart of Abruzzo that he renovated with his partner, Hil.