Just two hours from Rome, Abruzzo is one of Italy's wildest and most rewarding walking regions, yet it remains largely unknown to international visitors. Three national parks and a regional park encompass a dramatic landscape of high Apennine ridges, deep gorges, ancient villages and some of the richest wildlife in Europe, including wolves, Marsican brown bears, chamois and golden eagles.

With walks suitable for beginners and experienced mountain walkers alike, this Cicerone guidebook by Stuart Haines covers 40 day walks across Abruzzo, ranging from 4 to 25km (2 to 16 miles) and taking between 2 and 8 hours to complete. Route descriptions are paired with 1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files, with practical guidance on access, accommodation and getting around the region.

• 40 graded walks are included across four protected areas, covering the Maiella, Gran Sasso, Abruzzo and Sirente-Velino parks, with routes graded 1 to 3 from straightforward valley walks to mountain routes requiring experience in exposed terrain
• 1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files for every walk, with an Italian-English glossary, notes on local geology, wildlife, food and drink, and detailed information on planning and access
• Corno Grande, the highest peak in the Apennines of peninsular Italy at 2912m, is covered with two distinct ascent routes from Campo Imperatore, one of the most dramatic high plateaux in the Italian mountains
• Exceptional wildlife throughout, with Abruzzo National Park one of the few places in Europe where you can walk in genuine wilderness habitat supporting wolves, Marsican brown bears, Apennine chamois and Eurasian lynx
• Dramatic landscapes can be found at every turn, from the Fara San Martino gorge and the Val di Rose in the Abruzzo National Park to the medieval village of Rocca Calascio and the high plateau of Campo Imperatore

Abruzzo is Italy's best-kept secret for mountain walkers, offering serious Apennine terrain and extraordinary wildlife in a region that most visitors to Italy never reach. This guidebook is the essential companion for discovering it.

Walking in Abruzzo - Quick Facts

Area: Abruzzo, central Italy 
Distance from Rome: Approximately 2 hours 
Protected areas covered: Maiella National Park, Gran Sasso National Park, Abruzzo National Park, Sirente-Velino Regional Park 
Total walks: 40 
Walk distances: 4 to 25km (2 to 16 miles) 
Walk duration: 2 to 8 hours 
Grades: 1 to 3 (1 = straightforward valley walk; 3 = mountain route requiring experience in exposed terrain) 
Difficulty: Beginners to experienced mountain walkers; most walks on well-marked paths 
Highest point: Corno Grande (2912m) — the highest peak in the Apennines of peninsular Italy 
Walk highlights: Corno Grande (two ascent routes), Val di Rose, Campo Imperatore, Prati di Tivo, Fara San Martino gorge, Rocca Calascio, Val di Chiarino, Monte Amaro, Monte Sirente, Monte Velino 
Wildlife highlights: Marsican brown bear, wolf, Apennine chamois, Eurasian lynx, golden eagle, red deer 
Centres: L'Aquila, Sulmona, Castel di Sangro, Pescasseroli, Caramanico Terme 
Mapping: 1:50,000 maps included for every walk 
Digital navigation: Downloadable GPX files included 
Best season: May to October; spring and autumn are ideal for lower routes; summer is hot, but high routes are accessible 
Special features: Italian-English glossary; notes on geology, wildlife, history, plants and food and drink; accommodation and access information

Author Highlight

“Despite its central location and close proximity 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 natural riches are protected in three national parks, one regional park and many smaller reserves.”

- Stuart Haines, author of Walking in Abruzzo

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

Seasons

Most routes are accessible from May until October. Summer can be hot but late arriving snows may extend the season into November. Spring and autumn can be perfect for the lower routes.

Centres

Sulmona is central and well located for all parks. L'Aquila is in the north and Castel di Sangro the south.

Difficulty

Walks graded 1 (a straightforward wander that may involve a climb) to 3 (for those comfortable with mountain conditions, exposure and route finding)

Must See

Abruzzo, Maiella, and Gran Sasso national parks and the Sirente-Velino regional park. Corno Grande, the highest point in the Apennines of peninsular Italy.

October 2023

Walk 12

October 2022

Path closures

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