If you are someone who loves to hike then there are endless incredible hiking destinations to discover all across the world, Europe, and in Italy, in particular. Certainly, one of the best parts about hiking adventures in Italy is getting to refuel with the delicious local cuisine afterwards! And while there are plenty of options for hiking in Italy – from heading in to the Alps with their craggy peaks and lush valleys to discovering the azure waters and pretty villages along the Cinque Terre – one of the most striking landscapes that you could hope to explore is located in the region of Abruzzo.
Not only is Abuzzo untouched by mass tourism and over-development, preserving its natural beauty, but two thirds of the region is covered in mountains and thick forests still teeming with wildlife abound. Plus, this area of Italy is especially well known for its strong flavours and tradition of producing some of the most celebrated chefs in the country. So, if you’re looking to savour a wilder side of Italy on your next hiking vacation, then a villa in Abruzzo is sure to provide the right ingredients!
In particular, the vast Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park offers lots of incredible scenery and excellent hiking options. Encompassing three mountain ranges and spread out over an area of 2,014 square kilometres, it is largely located within the provinces of Teramo, L'Aquila, and Pescara.
There is a circuit that goes through the park, stretching 300km, and featuring trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. In addition, other outdoor pursuits can be enjoyed in the area including canoeing, bird watching, mountaineering, and Alpine skiing and cross-country skiing during the ski season.
Hiking is probably one of the best ways to take in the rich and preserved natural wonder of the park on vacation in Abruzzo, however, as there is simply so much to see! Not only do the rugged and striking landscapes with craggy peaks and vast plains make an immediate impression upon visitors but, in detail, there is a rich flora and fauna to observe.
Animals found in the park include the likes of Apennine wolves, Marsican brown bears, wildcats, wild boars – creatures you’ll want to see from a very long distance away, if at all – as well as roe deer, foxes, and squirrels. Bird-watchers, meanwhile, will want to keep their eyes peeled for golden eagles, white-backed woodpeckers, goshawks, common buzzards, and peregrine falcons, to name a few examples. Among the insects found in the park, there are also some examples that even your average visitor might like to observe such as the apollo butterfly.
Trees and plants also abound with woods of beeches, firs, turkey oaks, and chestnuts covering large areas and some two thousand plant species to discover. Of these plant species, there are also plenty that are found exclusively in the area, including the Abruzzo Edelweiss.
The wild and untamed landscapes of the park are also occasionally adorned with interesting historic buildings that stand out and make the scenery even more picturesque such as the Church of Santa Maria della Pietà and the castle of Rocca di Calascio.
So, if you are interested in hiking some impossibly beautiful routes, eating really, really well, and getting an authentic taste of Italy on your next vacation, check out our holiday rentals in Abruzzo and consider this less travelled part of the country!
