Discover Abruzzo, Italy's Wild Heart

Option 1 La Camosciara

From Villetta Barrea to the Waterfall of the Nymphs

Distance: 7.5 miles (12km) 

Ascent: 1,200ft (378m) 

After a continental breakfast, we set off from the hotel crossing the Sangro river before winding our way up through mystical forests of rare black pine. Once we reach the road that follows the Scerto stream, we’ll dip into the area known as La Camosciara, which takes its name from the herds of chamois that live on the high ridges. As you go, you’ll find boards with descriptions of the native trees and bushes.

Eventually we reach the beech forest where the sound of crashing waterfalls cuts through silence. Then head back through forest clearings to the village of Civitella Alfedena where there's time to visit the wolf conservancy before gaining momentum downhill towards the lake and Villetta Barrea.

Option 2 Val di Rose

One of the national park’s most famous walks.

Distance: 7.5 miles (12km)

Ascent: 2,800ft (870m)

After a short transfer across the lake to the charming town of Civitella Alfedena, we begin the walk by climbing from the top of the village taking in an array of landscapes including meadows, high pastures, beech forest and steep crags. And as we climb the valley, we drop down into a deep ancient beech forest with trees hundreds of years old.

Now we're in chamois country and if you're quiet you may get the chance to spot some of the herds hopping around the high crags. From the top the views of the surrounding mountains are magnificent. The return is via the secluded Valle Jannanghera back to Civitella Alfedena.

Option 1 Val Fondillo

Distance: 5 miles (9km)

Ascent: 300ft (95m)

There’s a short transfer to Pescasseroli from where we start our walk towards the blissful green valley, Val Fondillo. The path takes us from near the village centre up the Colli Bassi with accompanying views of the hilltop village of Opi.

We’ll follow the 'tratturo', one of the ancient paths used by shepherds, below Opi to reach the entrance to Val Fondillo, which takes its name from the many springs here. There’s a gentle climb to the periphery of the beech forest and a break at a clearing by the stream before heading back to Tornareccia spring. The beech forests of the Val Fondillo have been listed by UNESCO as an Ancient and Primeval Beech Forest of Europe since 2017.

Option 2 Val Fondillo to Monte Amaro

Distance: 5 miles (9km)

Ascent: 2,400ft (738m)

This trek starts at Val Fondillo but then veers off to climb the peak of Monte Amaro. It’s a steep ascent that follows the crest of the mountain through beech forest and then out to the high pastures and across rocky outcrops to the summit at 1,850m. If you have a good head for heights, you’ll be rewarded with lofty views of Monte Marsicano and the hilltop village of Opi down below.

You’ll have the chance to explore Scanno, one of the prettiest mountain villages of Abruzzo. Its remote location and harsh winters mean life was isolated until relatively recently. There’s time for a stroll around its steep and winding cobbled streets, which will give you a glimpse into the past as it’s been preserved pretty much as it was. Scanno is famous for its filigree jewellery and lacemaking, which you can still see in some of the little shops in town.

Option 1 and 2 Sentiero del Cuore – Path of the Heart

There are various options from 2 miles (3.5km) to 6 miles (10km), from 600ft (200m) to 800ft (275m)

Spend the morning mooching around the shops in the historic centre of Scanno and scoping out your lunch options at one of the many bars and restaurants dotted around the village. Then after lunch, meet up with your guide for an afternoon walk.

We’ll take the path from the village down to Scanno Lake following an old mule track where the slopes of Monte Genzana eventually come into focus. After crossing through woods and fields, we’ll arrive at the lake where there's a spot for a refreshing dip if you fancy.

We’ll start climbing again towards the Hermitage of Saint Egidio from where you can look out over the lake – you’ll notice it’s shaped like a heart.

Spend the day as you wish. There’s the hotel garden you can relax in or nearby Lake Barrea where there are beaches you can swim from. Stretch your legs with a walk along the lake to the town of Barrea to visit the castle and take photos of the view across the mountains embracing the lake.

Alternatively, walk up to Civitella Alfedena and visit the Wolf Museum to learn about these elusive inhabitants of the park and perhaps see the family of wolves that live in the conservancy.

For those who would like to do another walk, there are paths leaving the village of Villetta Barrea and climb the mountain behind, or there are easier loops around the lake.

There are also buses to nearby Castel di Sangro where there are shops and restaurants, sports facilities, and pleasant walks along the river Sangro.

Option 1 Monte Tranquillo

Distance: 6 miles (10km)

Ascent: 1,300ft (440m)

From the national park’s headquarters in the little town of Pescasseroli, your guide will fill you in on the wildlife living in the surrounding mountains, including the Marsican bear.

Then we set off on a gentle walk to Monte Tranquillo, passing through pastures and woodland. Firstly, we enter La Difesa, an area of forest used for grazing animals dotted with pollarded trees and clearings. A climb up to the sanctuary of Monte Tranquillo is next, which stands tall at 1,637m, where legend has it the Madonna rested during a long journey.

Option 2 Creste di Iorio

Distance: 10 miles (16km)

Ascent: 2,500ft (775m)

This loop is one of the top walks in the National Park of Abruzzo starting from the little town of Pescasseroli. We’ll wander through beech forests to high pastures where the path then undulates atop the crests of the various peaks of La Rocca at about 1,800m. You’ll tread the line along the border between the regions of Abruzzo and Lazio where the views from the top of the ridge across the whole Marsica region towards the regional park of Sirente Velino are breathtaking.

Option 1 Lake Barrea – Valle Jannanghera - Civitella Alfedena – Villetta Barrea

Distance: 7 miles (12km)

Ascent: 750ft (220m)

A short transfer will take us to the picturesque village of Barrea perched on the hillside above the lake. Wind your way up to the castle along its cobbled streets from where you can gaze out over lake and surrounding mountains. We'll then start our walk that will take us into the forest to the Jannanghera Valley and the tranquil spring where there's time to stop for a refreshment. The undulating path continues above the lake until you reach the village of Civitella Alfedena, then twists back down to the lake again.

Option 2 Barrea – Lago Vivo

Distance: 6 miles (10km)

Ascent: 1800ft (550m)

This walk starts above the town of Barrea and climbs quite quickly to reach a natural terrace from where there are panoramic views across to Monti della Meta and Monte Petroso, which at 2,249m is the highest in the national park. And if you’re lucky, you might just catch a glimpse of the chamois hopping about on the steep cliffs here.

A little further along we stop at Lago Vivo, fed by the melting snow and dominated by the surrounding mountains. Its name (‘Alive Lake’) comes from the fact that it changes shape all the time depending on how much water there is. The path then descends through the deep and silent Valle dell'Inferno (Valley of Hell) where legends abound.

It’s the final day – we’ll depart for Naples Airport, which is about a two-hour drive away.