The Gran Sasso Trail in Abruzzo

First day

From Campo Imperatore to Castel del Monte
The Gran Sasso Trail begins in the morning from the Campo Imperatore cable car at an altitude of 2100 meters. Some of the group will arrive just in time to put on their backpacks and set off, while those coming from further afield will have requested an extra night's accommodation in Fonte Cerreto. We walk away from the little church of Madonna della Neve and head towards Vado di Corno where a breathtaking view of both sides of the Gran Sasso mountain range awaits us and, if we are lucky, the view extends as far as the Adriatic Sea. Today's stage, one of the longest of the walk, takes us to the ruins of the Church of Sant'Egidio and the Scoppaturo Canyon at 1475 meters, where the film They Kept Calling Him Trinity was shot. After 6-7 hours of walking, we reach our accommodation in Castel Del Monte.

Second day

From Castel del Monte to Rocca Calascio
The second stage of our group trek in Abruzzo will take us to visit the two splendid villages of Castel del Monte and Calascio, a beautiful village perched on the south-eastern ridge of the mountain, where the famous Rocca Calascio stands. We will walk easily through cultivated fields and farms until we reach the ruins of the ancient settlement of Colle della Battaglia. The reward for today's efforts will be a guided tour of Rocca Calascio, declared by National Geographic to be one of the 15 most beautiful castles in the world. Today's stage was short, allowing us to have some free time to visit the historic center of Calascio.

Third day

From Rocca Calascio to Santo Stefano di Sessanio
Today's excursion is the shortest of the Gran Sasso Trail, but no less rich in interesting sights. The trail is easy to walk, allowing us to recover our energy while enjoying incredible views of the ancient terraces, once cultivated with lentils, spelt, and wheat. Once we arrive in Santo Stefano di Sessanio, we leave our backpacks in our rooms and relax in the alleys of one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park.

Fourth day

From Santo Stefano di Sessanio to Barisciano
After exploring the picturesque corners of Santo Stefano di Sessanio (1251 m), we continue with the fourth stage of the Cammino del Gran Sasso, a mainly downhill route that will take us from Santo Stefano di Sessanio at 1251 m to Barisciano at 940 m. Today's guided trek in Abruzzo offers breathtaking views, particularly near the Piana delle Locce where we can admire the ancient locce, caves carved into the rock by Cistercian monks.
Along the way, the majestic peak of Corno Grande accompanies us constantly, offering unique scenery.

Fifth day

From Barisciano to Fonte Cerreto
we continue the group trek through the spectacular plateaus of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. The slightly uphill stage takes us to the peaceful oasis of the former Convent of San Colombo (1088 m) and the Tempietto di Sant'Eusanio. In about five hours, this excursion will allow us to combine history, nature, and the beauty of a sustainable tourism experience in Abruzzo, making every step an unforgettable experience. The guided group holiday has come to an end: we can return home or stay overnight and take part in tomorrow's optional excursion.

Sixth day

(optional) Ascent of Corno Grande
If we stayed an extra night in L'Aquila or Fonte Cerreto, it means we chose to crown this week of trekking with a guided climb to Corno Grande. From Campo Imperatore at an altitude of 2100 meters, we will begin our ascent towards the Duca degli Abruzzi Refuge and then along the ridge near Conca del Calderone. Together with our expert guide , we will follow the path, which becomes increasingly steep and rocky, until we reach the summit at an altitude of 2912 m. The view stretches 360° from the Apennine mountains to the Adriatic Sea, just 30 kilometers away. We will return to Fonte Cerreto around 4:00 p.m.