Day 1: Sulmona
Individual arrival from Rome, Pescara or Naples airport and meeting with the guide at Sulmona hotel. Place of artists and popes, located in the heart of a green valley at the Majella National Park foot, Sulmona is a real natural gateway to the woods and the high mountain meadows of the Majella. The city has preserved typical Roman and medieval architecture, giving it a noble and elegant nature. Dinner ​with local products, overnight stay in Sulmona. (Meals: D)

Day 2: The hermitage of S. Bartolomeo (gradient: + 280 mt - 240 mt / walk 3h30)
After breakfast transfer to Decontra, a small shepherds’ village built of stones and timber on a plateau overlooking the gorge of the Orfento river. Abruzzo is a region with strong religious traditions, the stiff mountains here hide hundreds of monks’ hermitages. Check in at a-more-than-family-run farm and start of our hike. Today we discover one of the best-known and most guarded hermitages, the one of S. Bartolomeo and his church and his modest room carved into the bare rock near a stream. This mystical place was chosen by Pope Celestine V and his followers during the Thirteenth Century. Way back to the farm where we will enjoy our dinner sharing our table with the family who host us. Overnight stay at the farm. (Meals: B,L,D)

Day 3: In the depths of the gorges of Orfento (4h30 walking, +350m -390m)
The Orfento is a small but impetuous river that springs up on the Majella heights and flows down into a steep valley. Over the centuries, its flow action dug the spectacular "Gorges Orfento", became a strictly controlled nature reserve as the host of wildlife and flora among the richest of all Italy. Splendid beech woods and flower fields blooming on the river banks. The colorful steep cliffs protect the ecosystem of the gorge. We will end our loop at our farm in Decontra. Dinner and overnight stay at the farm. (Meals: B,L,D)

Day 4: Following the wolves’ footprint (5h30 walking, +650m -1250m)
After breakfast transfer to the foot of the Majella Mountains, at Passo S. Leonardo. This route leading into the heart of the Majella, will lead you on the footsteps of the wolves. From Passo S. Leonardo the path climbs to the summit of Mont Mileto, where you will enjoy a magnificent view overlooking the entire plateau of Caramanico, and on the other side, the group of the Gran Sasso National Park. On several occasions, wolves have been sighted in this woody area which alternates between clearings and dense forests. This animal is the symbol of the park, but its reserved and savage nature makes it difficult to locate. The descent into the woods and conifers will lead you to Pacentro. Free time to visit the medieval town of Pacentro then transfer to Scanno. This cute small mountain village is known for its goldsmith's art artisans and for the "Tombolo", a typical bobbin lace, and its blue lake. Located 1,000 metres downstream of the gorge of Sagittarius, Scanno is registered in the list of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Check in at your hotel, in the late afternoon we will taste a selection of the best wines of the region. Dinner and overnight stay in Scanno. (Meals: B,L,D)

Day 5: Scanno, Frattura and Villalago (5h walking, +450m -550m)
In the morning we take a path climbing slightly from the town and facing its blue lake. During our pleasant hike we will cross lots of high mountain pastures until we reach the village of Frattura. The passage through this village is a real blast from the past, the dialect still used as the official language and the life rhythm marked by the alternation of the seasons. Arrival at the village of Villalago, also listed as one of the prettiest villages in Italy. Free time to visit the village and bus back to Scanno. Dinner and overnight stay in Scanno. (Meals: B,L,D)

Day 6: The Scanno lake (gradient: +200 mt - 200 mt / walk 2h30
Today we will walk amongst large tracks and small woods to get to Lake Scanno, the goal of our hike. Depending on the season and the weather, opportunity to dive in the crystal clear waters. Back to Scanno, in the afternooon transfer by public bus to Sulmona. Check in at your hotel and free time to visit Sulmona and its beautiful monuments, including the incredible Roman aqueduct and its ancient producers of "confetti", almond sweets covered with sugar. Overnight stay in Sulmona. (Meals: B,L,D)

Day 7:DepartureAfter breakfast end of our services. Several trains to Rome train station and 2 public coaches per day to Rome airport. (Meals: B)

 

Note: B (Breakfast) L (Lunch); D (Dinner)
Grade : moderate, 4 to 6 hours walking each day. An hilly-to-steep terrain whit large dirt road, mule track and wooden path. A prior hiking experience is recommended.

Accommodation :
- 2 nights in hotel*** in Sulmona
- 2 nights in family run farm in Decontra
- 2 nights in hotel*** in Scanno

Equipment :
trekking shoes, trekking socks, trekking t-shirt, warm shell, wind and water proof jacket, hat and gloves, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream, daily backpack (min. 30 liters), trekking poles advised.

Getting there : The destination airport is Rome. We will set a meeting time with the guide at Rome airport for the transfers on day 1. For clients arriving not at the set meeting time, we cannot guarantee a transfer. In this instance clients have to make their own way to the first hotel, at their own expenses (taxi cost about 300 € from Rome airport to the hotel). At the end of the trip individual departure by train from Sulmona train station. Several trains to Rome train station and 2 public coaches per day to Rome airport.

Single Room Supplement € 145
Extra night in Rome double/single room with breakfast included € 55 /€ 95

- 6 nights' accommodation in hotel***or farm on half board basis
- All transfers by public bus and private minibuses
- English spoken tour leader, specialist of the region
- Wine tasting day 4
- All Lunches (except on day 1 and day 7)
- Tourist taxes

- 1 dinner in Amalfi
- lunches on day 1 and day 8
- All beverages
- Flights
- Transport to and from Sulmona on day 1 and day 7
- Personal insurances