Gran Sasso Trail: Trekking Through Timeless Villages and Untamed Nature

This Spring, we decided to take a break and embark on an adventure we had long dreamed of: the Cammino del Gran Sasso, one of Italy’s most stunning trekking routes, nestled in the heart of Abruzzo. I was joined by three friends, ready to share trails, silences, stories—and many kilometers on foot. It was an intense, authentic experience through spectacular canyons, ancient transhumance routes, mountain shelters, and timeless villages.

Campo Imperatore and the Wild Beauty of the Plateau

Our journey began in Campo Imperatore, which we reached by cable car from Fonte Cerreto, in the municipality of Assergi. As we stepped off at 2,100 meters above sea level, a breathtaking view opened up before us: the tiny church of Madonna della Neve, the Abruzzo Astronomical Observatory, and all around, the vastness of the plateau—often referred to as the “Tibet of Abruzzo.”

We hiked to Laghetto Pietranzoni, a mirror-like lake at 1,660 meters where grazing horses seem to guard the mountain's silence. From the ruins of Sant’Egidio Church to the dramatic Scoppaturo Canyon—a filming location for classics like The Desert of the Tartars and They Call Me Trinity—the trail led us to Castel del Monte, one of Abruzzo’s most authentic villages, known for its Slow Food-protected Canestrato pecorino cheese and local legends of witches.

Rocca Calascio: A Castle Among the Clouds

Day two brought us to Calascio and its famous Rocca, one of the highest fortresses in Italy at 1,464 meters. Named by National Geographic as one of the 15 most beautiful castles in the world, Rocca Calascio seems suspended between earth and sky. Walking its paths, climbing its towers, and gazing out over the void is a breathtaking experience. Nearby, the Church of Santa Maria della Pietà, with its octagonal plan, adds a final magical touch to the setting.

The stage ended in Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a perfectly preserved medieval village with stone alleys, Renaissance loggias, and a rarefied atmosphere that has made it one of the most beloved destinations in the Apennines. Here, among tastings of DOP cheeses and stories shared by locals, we recharged with energy and inspiration.

Between Pastures, Monasteries, and Endless Views

Day three was gentler and more contemplative. From Rocca Calascio, we headed toward Barisciano, following a trail that winds through valleys, terraced ancient fields, and crops of spelt, Solina wheat, and lentils. The landscape here tells the story of a mountain that has been lived in, worked, and passed down through generations.

In Barisciano, we visited the Church of Buon Consiglio, adorned with 14th-century frescoes, and admired the 16th-century architectural details left by the Caracciolo family. From there, the path took us to the peaceful San Colombo Convent, now an environmental education center, and farther north to the small Sant’Eusanio Temple and the Piano di Fugno, a wide plateau where rainwater collects to form the Filetto Lake in winter.

The Return to Fonte Cerreto: The Finish (and the Desire to Begin Again)

We concluded our trek in Fonte Cerreto, where the cable car begins—and ends—the Cammino del Gran Sasso. The descent through Valle Fredda, the final gentle climbs, the stop at Montecristo Refuge for a quick bite… every step felt like a heartfelt goodbye.

This journey is more than a nature trail; it’s a passage through time and into the very soul of Abruzzo: a journey through pastoral traditions, silences, history, breathtaking landscapes, and enduring legends. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone in search of slow, authentic, and meaningful travel.