Trek Crossing Maiella National Park

Arrival in Sulmona, in the Maiella National Park. Dinner and overnight stay at the accommodation.

We will visit the Abbey of Santo Spirito al Morrone to collect the Charta Peregrini before embarking on our journey towards Pacentro "The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy". After exploring the beautiful Abbey of Santo Spirito al Morrone, also known as Badia Morronese, one of the largest Celestine abbeys in Italy, we will hike towards Pacentro. Here, we'll discover the charming medieval village, home to the Caldora Castle, which overlooks the Peligna Valley and is part of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy" club. For those interested, we can also stamp our Charta Peregrini for the first time. We will find our campsite set up near the town, in a natural area. Dinner and overnight stay at the accommodation.

We will circle around the southern slope of Morrone, ascending to Passo San Leonardo. Starting from the village above the castle, we’ll take a trail that leads us around the southern side of Morrone until we reach Passo San Leonardo. From there, we will begin our descent into the Orta Valley, passing through the picturesque village of Roccacaramanico, where a stop is a must. Finally, we will arrive at Caramanico Terme, also included among "The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy" and renowned for its thermal waters. Here, we must remember to stamp our Charta Peregrini before heading to our campsite near the town.  Dinner and overnight stay at the accommodation.

We will hike along the banks of the Orfento River, which has carved a deep canyon with vertical walls covered in lush forests and vegetation. We’re ready to set off on the third leg of our journey, which takes us entirely through the spectacular Orfento Valley. This will be a true immersion in nature: as we walk along the river, we will encounter the small hermitage of Sant’Onofrio at Orfento. From there, we will descend further down the valley before climbing back up a rocky path that leads us to the small town of Decontra. Dinner and overnight stay at the accommodation.

We will traverse meadows and ancient farmland, recognizable by their typical stone walls and dry-stone huts. The fourth leg of our journey may be the most challenging, but it is also one of the most beautiful sections of the entire trek. We’ll cross lush prairies and historic cultivations before reaching Pianagrande, a location that offers a spectacular view of the upper Orfento Valley and the surrounding peaks. From there, we will descend to the Hermitage of San Giovanni, one of the most evocative hermitages in all of Abruzzo, entirely carved into the vertical rock face of the Orfento Valley. After our visit, we’ll continue our ascent towards the meadows of Maielletta, then "dive" into the depths of the Vallone di Santo Spirito, reaching the eponymous hermitage in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay in a tent.

We will traverse the wooded Vallone di Santo Spirito until we reach the Valle Giumentina. Today, we’re ready for the fifth leg of our journey, which will be a bit lighter than the previous one. We’ll walk through the forested Vallone di Santo Spirito until we reach Valle Giumentina, an open area that was once cultivated and used for grazing before becoming overgrown with trees. From there, we’ll descend again into the valley to reach the Hermitage of San Bartolomeo in Legio, another gem among Abruzzo's hermitages, nestled within the rock. After visiting the hermitage, we’ll ascend the opposite slope from where we descended to intercept the paved road that will take us to Macchia Metola, marking the end of the day’s stage. Dinner and overnight stay at the accommodation.

We will set off on the final leg of our journey towards Serramonacesca. Our first stop will be at the Vallone di Sant’Angelo in Lettomanoppello, where we will visit the eponymous place of worship dedicated to Archangel Michael. Next, we’ll ascend the valley towards the Piani di Tarica, a panoramic plain overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Upon reaching the territory of Serramonacesca, we will pass by the Hermitage of Sant’Onofrio before finally arriving at the impressive Abbey of San Liberatore. We will explore the beautiful abbey and, here as well, stamp our Charta Peregrini with the places we visited during the fifth and sixth stages. Before leaving, we will receive the Testimonium, a certificate attesting to our journey and our passage through all the significant locations along the way. After this small "ceremony," a minibus will pick us up and take us back to Sulmona, our starting point. Dinner and overnight stay at the accommodation.

After breakfast at the hotel, departure for your respective destinations and conclusion of services.