Maiella in summer

The majestic Majella National Park was established in 1991 and occupies a total area of ​​about 74.000 hectares, incorporating Common 39 belonging to the provinces of L'Aquila, Pescara and Chieti.

Second only to the Gran Sasso, the Majella mountain massif is the highest in the continental Apennines. The highest peak is reached by Monte Amaro with 2793 meters, followed by Monte Acquaviva with 2737 meters, and by Monte Focalone which reaches 2676 meters.

It is possible to access the National Park from different directions: from the north passing through Lettomanoppello, Guardiagrele from the east, Sulmona from the west e Pescocostanzo from the south.

The Majella National Park is also famous for the rich biodiversity it hosts: there is, in fact, a very rich and varied fauna that includes chamois, deer, wolves, otters, roe deer, wild cats, but also golden eagles and some specimens of Marsican bear. .

A peculiarity of the Park is constituted by the karst phenomenon: over the millennia, the water that flows on the limestone rocks shapes their structure, creating natural fractures. These are gods fascinating caves with stalactites and stalagmites scattered throughout the Majella territory.

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Another peculiarity is the presence of numerous hermitages in the area, often built in inaccessible places in the mountains, or on top of the peaks themselves.

Visiting this majestic National Park during the summer is ideal for witnessing the awakening of nature, and to fully enjoy the mountain landscapes by hiking, horseback riding or mountain biking, or even embarking on extreme sports such as canyoning, Rafting andClimbing sporty.

As for hiking, there are more than 120 paths that cross the Majella territory, all well marked and with different levels of difficulty depending on the slope and the morphology of the terrain.

For those who want to venture on a longer trekking route, four main thematic itineraries have been studied: The Spirit Trail (73 km), the Freedom Trail (31 km divided into two parts), the Park Trail (83 km, the longest), and the Stone Huts Trail (27 km).

About horseback riding, there are 27 paths arranged in different areas of the Park, which allow those who walk them to admire all the wonders.

For enthusiasts it is possible to practice sport climbing especially at Pennapiedimonte and Roccamorice, locations with challenging but stimulating walls.

Canyoning can be practiced in the Abbateggio and Roccamorice area, in the Guardiagrele and Cusano Gorge, perfect meanders to give vent to one's passion.

Finally, for lovers of waterways, it is ideal to go to the Civitella Messer Raimondo area, where adrenaline-pumping sports such as rafting and kayaking are practiced.

The possibilities of stay for those who decide to spend their holidays in the Majella National Park are really numerous and suitable for any type of need. On the territory of the Park, in fact, there are bed & breakfasts, hotels, holiday homes to rent, hostels, farmhouses, country houses, campsites, but also guesthouses and typical mountain huts scattered among the most inaccessible peaks or along the paths.

What to do and What to see

Depending on the time available to visit the Majella National Park, it is possible to program different itineraries to admire its beauty, also considering the type of activity you want to do.

To get lost in the most enchanted nature among streams, woods and canyons, the Orta Valley represents one of the most breathtaking spectacles of the Majella Park, a daily stop to be taken into consideration.

This area takes its name from the river that crosses it, itself a tributary of the Pescara river, which in turn flows into the Adriatic Sea. This nature reserve includes majestic landscapes and several points of interest, such as the karst caves, the Cisterna waterfall with its clear natural pool, the karst canyons also called "luchi" or "marmitte", and the rapids of Santa Lucia.

The area is particularly rich in caves inhabited by man during the prehistoric era, and therefore represent an interesting tourist attraction, especially thanks to the presence of cave paintings and other Neolithic finds. Among the main caves in the valley is the Dark cave, which as the name suggests, is characterized by a low light which has allowed the settlement of some colonies of bats. It can be reached on foot starting from the center of Bolognano, and offers an inimitable panorama. Just follow the marked path to find yourself in front of the majestic arch: if equipped with a torch, it is possible to cross it. There is also a side opening that overlooks the valley, a sort of natural terrace-belvedere from which to enjoy a unique panorama.

Another of the unmissable stages of the Orta Valley is a visit to the Cisterna waterfall, whose name derives from the fact that the water forms a wonderful natural pool, home to ferns, mosses, and other very rare animal and plant species. The path to reach this natural wonder is a little more difficult than the one to reach the caves, but it is still within everyone's reach.
To admire it from above, instead, just go to the central square of Bolognano and continue along via Fonte Orcina. If until a few years ago it was possible to bathe in the natural pool, nowadays there is an absolute ban on bathing to preserve the delicate ecosystem that characterizes it.

also the rapids of Santa Lucia are to be considered in the list of things to see. The power of the water has carved gullies characterized by a sinuous path, comparable to a sort of natural water park, the ideal destination for those who want to practice rafting. The rapids can be reached from Musellaro or from San Tommaso by following the appropriate paths.

In Majella National Park it is also possible to set out for long routes at high altitudes. The itineraries over 2000 meters they are in most cases a little longer and more inaccessible, but the effort is rewarded by the majesty of the views that can be admired from up there.

There is an alternation between imposing gravels and boundless plateaus teeming with karst sinkholes, a rocky landscape where it is possible to see the famous Abruzzo chamois.

Among the most scenic itineraries there are those that cross Monte Amaro, the highest, Monte Acquaviva, Monte Focalone and the top of the Murelle, without forgetting the Morrone massif.

Majella and Morrone are not particularly famous mountains for shelters for travelers and hikers, with the sole exception of the Vittorio Emanuele II refuge, which was built in 1890 by the CAI of Rome on the top of Monte Amaro. Most of the shelters present on these peaks derive from construction necessary to shelter the shepherds, but which have only recently been re-evaluated for tourism purposes. Therefore, it is always possible to stay at these simple constructions along the high altitude hiking course, without forgetting to check availability first.

Summer holidays in Maiella

The Majella National Park is one quite versatile tourist destination, given the wide range of experiences, views, natural beauty, and villages it offers.

Depending on the type of stay you want to make, you can stay in this wonderful corner of Abruzzo for a short but intense weekend, or take more time to discover every corner. The park, in fact, is full of various medieval villages scattered among the rocks.

Among the most characteristic we remember San Valentino in Abruzzo Citiori, Pettorano sul Gizio, Serramonacesca, Pennapiedimonte, and Caramanico Terme.

An extended stay in one of these jewels set over time allows you to experience village life firsthand, and at the same time represent a strategic point to reach other locations within the Park, such as hiking trails, hermitages, lakes and caves.

But the park is also the destination ideal for spending a simple weekend in nature: just choose in advance the path that best suits your needs, and set off with your backpack and hiking boots.

There is certainly no shortage of hotel facilities ready to accommodate tourists passing through the Majella National Park. Depending on your preferences, it is possible to stay in farmhouses, country houses or refuges for a more peaceful and quiet experience, or opt for hotels located in inhabited centers, many of which have a panoramic view thanks to the morphological conformation of the rocks on which the small villages.