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If you love keeping up your sports activities during your vacation, you’ll see how much Abruzzo has to offer, considering how the sea and the mountains meet in this region. Let’s get a closer look at the types of sports you can do here. |
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Canoe, windsurfing, rafting and sailing Cross country skiing (useful numbers) Ski excursions and alpine skiing alpine skiing guide |
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Mountain Climbing |
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Abruzzo is the only region in Penisular Italy (excluding the alpine regions) where classic alpine sports can be practiced. The most interesting peaks are concentrated in the Gran Sasso range, where one can find a variety of alpine trails for all specialties. The Corno Piccolo (Little Horn) is the most sought after peak in the Appenines, both because of the compactness of the rock and because of the high degree of technical climbing. The eastern slope is the most popular among alpine climbers, mainly because of the interesting excursions, especially the classic "Monolith", an impressive tower of rock, very difficult to climb. The Little Horn is perfect for modern alpine climbing, with about one hundred trails, including the Bafomet, Rosanna, Cavalcare la Tigre, Rosi, all on the eastern slope and Aquilotti 72 on the second slope. The other impressive peak is the Corno Grande, Big Peak (2914 m above sea level). The famous northeast slope, with a one thousand meter jump and many difficult trails such as the "farfalla", "Nagual" and the Fessure di Velluto Nero". A climber who wants to get to know the Abruzzese mountains will certainly want to try the famous "Sucai", the eastern slope of the Corno Grande. Other inspiring trails are: "I Pilastri", Torrione Cambi and the winter trail "Haas-Acitelli). There are about 40 open trails on the Corno Grande, particularly adapt to classic alpine climbing. Another peak of the Gran Sasso group is the Pizzo Intermesoli, in the wild heart of the group of peaks, characterized by the presence of five rocky pillars where rough trails are waiting for particularly extreme climbers. The most famous trail is the "Di notte la luna" (the moon at night), and another spectacular climbers paradise is the northern slope of the monte Camicia, this too, with many interesting trails. Mt. Prena presents easier trails for beginners, such as Brancadoro and Via dei Laghetti. The Monti della Laga are famous for their ice cascades formed along the torrents which freeze during the winter months. In fact this group of peaks is particularly interesting for winter alpinism. The Maiella, on the other hand, has a northern wall called le Murelle, with a drop of over one thousand meters, characterized by its uncontaminated wilderness. Mountain climbing as a sport can be practiced in about 20 different sites with over 800 open trails in places like Roccamorice, Pennapiedimonte, Pennadomo, Corvara, Pizzoferrato, Pietracamela, Monticchio, Madonna D’Appari, Prati di Tivo, Carpineto della Nora, Pescosansonesco, Forca di Penne, Monte Aquila, Petrella Liri, Pietrasecca, Lucoli, Capestrano and Civitella del Tronto. Roccamorice is one of the most important sites nationally, with 250 well-equipped trails, compact rock, exposition towards the south and trails for experts, all immersed in a stupendous landscape. |
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Trekking |
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The sweet, rolling silhouette of most of the Abruzzese mountains is favourable for long and short treks, both at medium and high altitudes. The foothills also lend themselves to invigorating nature walks, with beautiful panoramas for you to enjoy. The hikes are never very difficult, but considering the peculiarities of the mountain environment, with its sudden changes in weather and the possibility of losing your orientation, it is highly recommendable to have an expert to guide you. The trails often cross areas which are not easily accessible, far from towns and villages. Therefore we recommend that you follow them scrupulously, for safety’s sake. Hiking is in any case, the best way to see the parks, giving you the possibility to come across rare animals and to observe the flora. Many trails combine nature walks with archaeology and art. In fact, there are monasteries, castles, country churches situated throughout the territory, which will certainly make your walk unforgettable. Nature and wildlife reserves offer paths which are particularly adapt for the very young, the elderly and the disabled. Furthermore the great Abruzzese National Parks offer guide coops where you can hire a guide and get suggestions on the type of hike you want to take. |
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Deltaplano and parapendio |
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The geographical peculiarities of this region guarantee the ideal conditions for sports such as parapendio and deltaplano. Aficionados of these exciting sports can choose from any number of spots for thrilling takeoffs and landings. In particular, one of the most interesting places for this sport is Villa Santa Maria (Aquila), located between the Gran Sasso and the Maiella mountains, particularly adapt for long flights. "Volandia" is a flight, deltaplano and parapendio school in Loreto Aprutino and Tocca da Casauria where you can learn the techniques and skills necessary to practice this sport. Tel. 085/3349507 and 338/3349120. |
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Mountain bike e ciclismoMountain Biking and Cycling |
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The bicycle is a vehicle which you will often run into along Abruzzo’s roads and trails. It is probably the most relaxing and healthy way to see the beauty Abruzzo has to offer. Most car traffic can be found on the main arteries criss-crossing the region, so the most picturesque back roads and are less travelled. For well trained bikers, the mountain roads are particularly daring, with a couple that reach an altitude of 2000 meters, such as Campo Imperatore (2200 m) on the Gran Sasso and Blockhaus (2150m) on the Maiella. The Blockhaus is only 50 km from the sea, so you can easily imagine the variety of panoramas you will see. The most difficult climb is along the road to Roccamorice which goes from sea level to 2000 meters in less than 35 kilometers. This road created a lot of problems for the great cyclist Eddie Merckz, who won the Giro d’Italia bike race in 1972. According to a specialty magazine, this climb has been voted one of the 20 most challenging rides in Europe, even though it is not well known. The landscapes along some of these trails in the Abruzzese mountains can be considered replicas of the wilder alpine trails which are usually included in the Giro d’Italia. The Monti della Laga Park offers some difficult paths, such as the Ceppo (1340m), Passo dell’Abate (1475 m) with its splendid view of Lake Campotosto and Passo delle Capannelle (1300m), more difficult on the side facing Aquila. On the slope facing Teramo on the other hand, you can ride for 35 km along the Vomano river canyon. In the territory of the Gran Sasso National Park, you can ride up to Prati di Tivo (1450m), Montecristo Pass (1700 m) which leads to the Campo Imperatore plateau. Here you will find a ribbon of road that passes through the meadows, surrounded by the majesty of the mountain peaks. At the end of this flat stretch of road, the path starts to rise again towards Vado di Sole (1620m), which, if you come in from the Pescara side, is a very difficult climb because you go from sea level to 1200 m in less than 20 km. Here you will be fascinated by the rolling hillside panorama of the province of Pescara, which takes you gently down to the sea. If you have it in your legs to ride 100 km, you can take the road that goes from L’Aquila to the Rocche plateau just beyond the Rocca di Cambio Pass (1380m). After Rocca di Mezzo, you can ride up to the Forcella Pass (1400m) which gives you access to the the Sirente plateau, giving you a breathtaking view of the entire mountain chain. A long descent leads you to Secinaro and the Aterno valley, passing through some of the most picturesque towns in the province of L’Aquila. If you want a thrill without too much work, try the road from Anversa degli Abruzzi to Scanno. Here the slope is gentle and the view of the old picturesque villages, the tunnels dug into the rock, the Sagittario stream bubbling alongside and the splendid Scanno Lake embedded among the green mountains will leave you breathless. Beyond Scanno, the road rises more decisively towards Godi pass (1600m). This is immersed in the Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, and takes you along a descending road for 20 km to Villetta Barrea. State road 83, crossing the Park is not too steep, therefore any type of biker will enjoy this lovely ride. More adventurous bikers will want to cycle up to the Acero Fork (1535) along the Lazio and Abruzzo border, or further north up to the Devil’s Pass (1400). The Maiella National Park, presents other interesting climbs such as Passo Lanciano (1310) which is very demanding, coming in both from Lettomanoppello and from Pretoro; Other outings you might want to consider: Passo San leonardo, Pacentro, Valico della Forchetta. As far as bicycle tourism is concerned, there is a path under construction along the entire length of coast (150 km), an initiative which will surely be appreciated by cyclists. There is still a long list of trails to follow, but secondary roads tend to be a favorite among aficionados. It is along these roads that one can encounter the warm abruzzese people, maybe stopping along the road to take a long, refreshing drink at one of the many fountains in the local piazzas. It’s an experience well worth the hard work it takes to get there. Useful publications: Abruzzo: Guide to mountain biking Abruzzo region Tourism office Viale Bovio 425 Pescara CARSA Publishers 1996
Useful numbers: abcycle@ats.it 085/969410 Regional Cycling Federation 085/421050-4221647
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WATER SPORTS (Canoing, windsurfing, rafting and sailing) |
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Abruzzo has a spectacular coastline along the Adriatic Sea, several rivers, lakes and torrents, so if you love water sports, you’ll find many interesting things to do. Windsurfing schools organize courses along the seashore and on the lakes, especially on Lake Campostosto, which is the most adapt, because it is always windy at that altitude (1400 m), and the view of the Gran Sasso is fabulous, to say the least. Every year, during the month of June, there is a national windsurfing contest on this lake. The other lakes, Scanno, Barrea, Bomba and Casoli, offer the possibility of going canoeing. Aficionados of canoeing can also practice this sport along the Trino, Aterno-Pescara, Sangro, Vomano, and Tronto rivers. Rafting on the other hand, is another exciting sport, with a great choice of places to go to, especially along the Salinello and the Aventino. Sailing is another popular sport in with several tourist ports along the coasts, offering safe haven. The most important ports are Pescara and Ortona, but Giulianova and Vasto are also well equipped. For more info:
Nautical club of Pescara 085/692456 Federal Sailing Center 085/73991 (tel and fax) 085/4214785 Pescara Canoeing Center: 085/694057
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Downhill Skiing |
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Abruzzo undoubtedly has the best skiing in Peninsular Italy, excluding the Alps. There are 16 ski resorts, including Roccaraso and Campo Felice, where it is possible to ski from December to April. Campo di Giove and Campo Imperatore are the resorts located at the highest altitudes, where the snow is in good condition until late spring. At Passo Lanciano, on the Maiella, the sea is visible from the ski slopes. Two consortiums, which offer ski passes which are good for any one of the member resorts have been established to promote winter sports in Abruzzo. The "Tre Nevi" Consortium is valid for Campo Felice, Ovindoli and Campo Imperatore, and the Alto Sangro Consortium is valid for Roccaraso, Pescocostanzo and Pescasseroli. Although the mountains in Abruzzo do not have the same long slopes as the ones in the Alps, ski lovers will appreciate our challenging slopes. All the other services, ski courses for beginners, safety, organization and ski lifts offer the same high quality as the resorts in the Alps. The quality of the snow is very good and many of the resorts have artificial snow machines. |
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Cross country skiing |
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The abruzzese mountains are particularly rich in plateaus and high mountain valleys, which in winter become a paradise for cross country skiers. In fact, due to its geographical make up and to the long season (December to April), one can say that Abruzzo has a "calling" for cross country. There are many tracks throughout these mountains, but special mention goes to Macchiarvana, in the Abruzzo National Park and Val Fondillo and Cicerana. In the Gran Sasso National Park, you have a wide selection of trails to choose from. The Campo Imperatore plateau, Fonte Pietrattina (20 km long) and Santo Stefano da Sessanio, where there is a refuge where you can eat and sleep. Other interesting slopes are Tre Laghetti, Fossa di Paganica, Piani di Fugno, where however, the trails are not always marked. On the north side of the Gran Sasso, you can ski in Farindola, Voltigno valley, Villa Celiera and Prati di Tivo, where there is a short, very challenging and well kept trail. Other interesting tracks for cross country arein the area of Campo Felice, where the trails pass through the surrounding woods. Campo Felice is in the heart of the Sirente-Velino Regional Park, where you can also ski in Ovindoli, Fonte Anatella or in Rocca di Mezzo. There are splendid tracks in the Bosco di Sant’ Antonio, one of the most beautiful faggio woods in Appenines, with its nature reserve. Near the downhill resort of Roccaraso, you can practice cross country skiing in the Aremogna ring (10 km) and Roccapia. Shorter, but pleasant tracks can be found in the abruzzese side of the Simbruini mountains and Godi Pass, near Scanno.
(cross country) WWF Elce 0861/250223 Prati di Tivo Ski School 0861/959620 Castel del Monte Tourist office 0862/938404 Villa Celiera Town Hall 085/846708 Campo Felice Ski School 0862/917176 Magnolia Ski School 0863/705242 Rocca di Mezzo Town Hall 0862/917416 Carsoli Town Hall 0863/995534 Pescasseroli Ski School 0863/91955 Opi Pro Loco 0863/910622 Monte Amaro di Opi Coop 0863/912223 Scanno Tourism office 0864/74317 Roccaraso-Monte Fratello Ski School 0864/62736 Pescocostanzo Ski School 0864/67136 Valle dell’Orfento Visitor’s Center 085/922084 Santo Stefano di Sessanio Town Hall 0862/89203 Santo Stefano di Sessanio Nature area 0862/89407 – 330/579196
Useful publications:
Abruzzo: Cross Country Ski Guide Regione Abruzzo-Tourism Office CARSA – 1996
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Alpine Skiing |
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If you prefer alpine skiing to downhill or cross country, there is a wide choice of possibilities in Abruzzo. There are hundreds of peaks in the Abruzzese Appenines, which can take you from extreme skiing to less challenging types of excursions, suited to a wide range of individual technical capacities. It is very important that your equipment be of the best quality. You must take the following tools with you: piccozza, seal skins, ramponi. Classic excursions are: Canalone Maiori on the north side of the Sirente, Monte Amaro, Lama Bianca and Monte Rapina on the Maiella, where you can also do the high altitude traversata, with the possiblity of sleeping in the rifugio of Monte Amaro; the high traversata of the Corno Grande, the south side of Monte Camicia and Monte Tremoggia in the Gran Sasso. The Alpine Club offers information on the other excursions and they are also available to organize beginners courses. As you know, you must be careful in practicing this exciting sport because at these altitudes, the weather changes rapidly, the wind is very strong and it is easy to get caught in a blizzard. Therefore, be well informed on the weather and snow conditions before going out. Ski Excursions are a new form of skiing which combines cross country and alpine skiing. The most interesting trails are the Chiarino Valley, Puzzillo, Chiarano, Voltigno, Mount Cappucciata, Femmina Morta, Fossa di Fioio, Dogana Valley Rascino lake and hundreds more, where you can ski from February to May amidst the wild beauty of these valleys.
Augusto Manilla 0862/80366 Claudio Persia 0862/24342 Stefano Chiaromonte 0871/85326 Giampietro Giulio 085/4224733 Antonello Del Mauro 0871/69060 Mario Leone 085/4961223
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Horseback Riding |
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Horseback riding as a form of tourism is one of the best ways to get to know the countryside and nature. Abruzzo presents the ideal conditions for this type of activity, due to its many parks, nature reserves and splendid hillside landscapes. Besides hiking on horseback, you can do endurance, trec, cross country and gimkana. There are many paths to follow, which give you a breathtaking possibility to see the beauty of nature, the hidden architectural treasures, and to taste our wonderful home cooking. There are five horse paths in Abruzzo, all part of an ambitious project to trace new paths throughout the region. Therefore, we propose a high quality form of tourism, where besides offering different itineraries, we are developing a parallel network of services. The five paths all see Sulmona as the hub. This is an interesting historical city, but it is also situated in the geographical center of Abruzzo.
Aficionados of endurance riding are invited to partecipate in the national contest which takes place annually in the beginning of August in the magical plateau of Campo Imperatore. ANTE Abruzzo (Regional Secretary) Via Mazzini 123 – 66020 Sambuceto di San Giovanni Teatino (CH) 085/4463922 APTE L’Aquila – Via Altonati 6 67100 L’Aquila 0862/61082 APTE Chieti – Via Vallelunga 18 San Giovanni Teatino Ch 085/4309022
Useful publications
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Nature walks and Birdwatching |
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It is very rare to see wild animals in Abruzzo, due mainly to the ferocious persecution they were submitted to in the last century. The places where one can admire the beauty of what remains of wildlife are truly considered sanctuaries in this day and age. There are many splendid nature reserves where people can observe the fauna armed with binoculars and cameras. The Abruzzo National Park is surely the most important area, where with a bit of luck and a lot of patience, you may run into bears, wolves, deer, mountain goats and royal eagles. In any case, you may make these sightings in other parks as well, although it is a bit rarer. However, there are also protected reserves where it is a bit easier to observe animals and birds in their natural habitat. The WWF runs an oasis on the Lago di Penne, run by the Cogecstre Coop, which is well known in all of Europe. In the oasis it is possible to see otters, which are in danger of extinction, as well as many other species of birds. The nature trails include a botanical garden and a bird recovery center. These facilities are equipped with all the necessities to cater to the handicapped and the blind. Another beautiful oasis is Serranella, where a great variety of birds and water fowl can be observed. Other interesting nature reserves are the Fiume Orte, Sorgenti del Pescara and Valle del Sagittario reserves, all run by the Daphne Coop. The Riserva Integrale dell’Orfento in the Maiella National Park, hosts deer, salamanders, and appenine wolves, as well as many interesting migratory birds. Other important parks are: Farindola, with its beautiful waterfalls "Vitello d?oro", the oasis at Lama Bianca, run by the Maiella coop which also tends the botanical gardens, a 60 bed youth hostel, and which organizes guided tours to see the abundance of nature. |
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