Gran Sasso d'Italia Trail

Arrival at the Accommodation. Dinner and Overnight Stay.

The Gran Sasso Trail begins at Campo Imperatore, in the heart of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. In this place, we are in the presence of the Gran Sasso d’Italia, the highest mountain range in the Apennines. The arrival of the cable car brings us to the Campo Imperatore Plateau (2100 m), where we find the small church of Madonna della Neve and the Abruzzo Astronomical Observatory. We walk towards the Pietranzoni Lake (1660 m), where we can observe herds of cattle and horses grazing. In the tranquility and silence of the plain, we glimpse the ruins of the Church of Sant’Egidio before promptly heading into the Scoppaturo or Valianara Canyon (1475 m). The setting for numerous films, including They Call Me Trinity, The Desert of the Tartars, and King David, the Canyon represents the most interesting and original natural attraction of this stage. We conclude the day’s walk with swift steps, arriving at Castel del Monte (1346 m), the village of shepherds and "witches," which gives its name to the Slow Food Presidia for Pecorino Canestrato cheese. Dinner and overnight stay.

The second stage of the Gran Sasso Trail leads us through the discovery of two beautiful villages, Castel del Monte (1346 m) and Calascio (1210 m), and reveals the mysteries of the Rocca di Calascio (1464 m). We head south along a gravel path that runs parallel to the provincial road. We pass by cultivated fields and farms, eventually ascending towards Colle della Battaglia (1180 m), an ancient settlement of the Italic Vestini people. Continuing our journey, we soon reach Calascio, a stunning village perched on the southeastern ridge of the mountain where the imposing Rocca stands. This architectural masterpiece of Norman origin, expanded and equipped with four cylindrical towers at the end of the 15th century, has been listed by National Geographic as one of the 15 most beautiful castles in the world. Exploring this ancient fortress, a favorite location for numerous films, and visiting the Renaissance Church of Santa Maria della Pietà, we are transported to distant times, savoring the cultural richness of these mountain lands. Free dinner and overnight stay.

Before leaving Rocca di Calascio (1464 m), we take a thorough tour of the fortress and enjoy a breathtaking view of the highest peaks in the Gran Sasso range. The section of the trail that leads us to our destination for the day is simple and scenic, making it suitable for families with children. We walk along a path for five kilometers and overlook the valley to the south, which is elegantly and geometrically shaped by terracing once used for cultivating lentils and grains such as farro, Solina wheat, Rosciola, and Saragolla—floral species that could withstand these altitudes. Reaching the village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio (1251 m), the end of the third stage, we will have no need for rest, as we will be irresistibly drawn to the picturesque and narrow streets of this medieval village, characterized by Renaissance architectural features with a Tuscan flavor, which bear witness to the dominance of the Piccolomini and Medici families in the region. Free dinner and overnight stay.

After discovering every enchanting corner of Santo Stefano di Sessanio (1251 m), we set off with our backpacks for the fourth stage of the Gran Sasso Trail. This stage, which is mostly downhill, will take us to Barisciano (940 m), a town that retains some 16th-century architectural features as a testament to the presence of the Caracciolo family. Here we can visit the small Church of Buon Consiglio or Capo di Serra, dating back to the 13th century and decorated inside with valuable votive frescoes. Our journey allows us to explore the beautiful highlands of the Park, framed by the towering peaks of the Gran Sasso range. We leave Barisciano (940 m) heading north, following the trail markers, and come across the former Convent of San Colombo (1088 m). We proceed with a gentle ascent for almost the entire stage, crossing a valley that leads us to a junction with a small lake, Fonte Vedice, used for watering grazing animals. From here, we follow a gently rising gravel road in a north-west direction that will lead us to the solitary and serene Tempietto di Sant’Eusanio (1402 m). Shortly after, we cross the Piano di Fugno (1373 m), a broad and spectacular high plain where rainwater collects to form the small Filetto Lake, which is almost always frozen in winter. We cross and follow the provincial road that climbs from the Aquilan side and proceed along the valley that leads us to the Montecristo Refuge, just in time for a snack. From here, a slight climb takes us to the ridge, right above Valle Fredda. We then begin our descent and, in just four kilometers, reach Fonte Cerreto (1115 m), where there are refreshment facilities, accommodation options, and the base of the cable car. Free dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, end of services and departure.