Maiella in summer

The majestic Majella National Park was established in 1991 and covers a total area of ​​approximately 74.000 hectares, encompassing 39 municipalities in 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.

The National Park can be accessed from several directions: from the north via Lettomanoppello, Guardiagrele from the east, Sulmona from the west, and 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 the karst phenomenon : over millennia, water flowing over limestone rocks has shaped their structure, creating natural fractures. These are fascinating caves with stalactites and stalagmites scattered throughout the Majella.

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

Visiting this majestic National Park during the summer is ideal for witnessing nature awakening and for fully enjoying the mountain landscapes by hiking, horseback riding, or mountain biking, or even trying extreme sports such as canyoning, rafting, and sport climbing.

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

For those who wish to venture on a longer trekking route, four main thematic itineraries have been designed: 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).

Regarding horseback riding , there are 27 trails available located in different areas of the Park, which allow those who travel them to admire all its 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 accommodation options for those who decide to spend their holidays in Majella National Park are truly numerous and suitable for every type of need. Within the park, there are bed and breakfasts, hotels, vacation homes for rent, hostels, agritourisms, country houses, and campsites, as well as guesthouses and typical mountain refuges scattered among the most inaccessible peaks or along the trails.

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 lose yourself in the most enchanting nature among streams, woods, and canyons, the Orta Valley represents one of the most breathtaking sights in the Majella Park, a day trip well worth considering.

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

The area is particularly rich in caves inhabited by humans during prehistoric times, and therefore represents an interesting tourist attraction, especially thanks to the presence of rock paintings and other Neolithic artifacts . Among the main caves in the valley is the Dark Cave , which, as its name suggests, is characterized by low light, allowing for the settlement of several colonies of bats. It can be reached on foot from the center of Bolognano and offers a unique panorama. Simply follow the marked path to find yourself in front of the majestic arch: if you have a flashlight, you can pass through it. There is also a side opening overlooking the valley, a sort of natural terrace-viewpoint 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.

The Santa Lucia Rapids are also worth a visit. The force of the water has carved out winding channels, like a natural water park, making them an ideal destination for rafting enthusiasts. The rapids can be reached from Musellaro or San Tommaso by following designated trails.

In the Majella National Park, it's also possible to hike long, high-altitude trails . The routes above 2000 meters are usually a bit longer and more challenging, but the effort is worth it for the majestic views you can admire 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 are those that cross Monte Amaro, the highest, Monte Acquaviva, Monte Focalone and the Murelle peak, without forgetting the Morrone massif.

The Majella and Morrone are not particularly famous for their refuges for travelers and hikers, with the sole exception of the Vittorio Emanuele II refuge , built in 1890 by the Rome-based CAI (Italian Alpine Club) on the summit of Monte Amaro. Most of the refuges on these peaks were originally constructed to shelter shepherds, but have only recently been re-evaluated for tourism purposes. Therefore, it's always possible to stay in these simple structures during high-altitude hikes, provided you check availability first.

Summer holidays in Maiella

Majella National Park is a very versatile tourist destination , given the wide range of experiences, panoramas, 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 ideal destination 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.