MAJELLA National Park
In the heart of Italy’s spectacular and little known region of Abruzzo, the beautiful Majella National Park encircles the mountain massif of Monte Amaro, which at 2793m, is the second highest peak in the Apennine range. Alpine meadows and forests of beech give way at the massif’s highest reaches to an almost desert landscape, with pockets of year-round snow. Mountain streams tumble down deep gorges and hidden valleys, where secluded rock hermitages from the Middle Ages can be found.
The Park is home to deer, chamois, wild boar, wolves, otters, and a very small number of bears. The region’s agriculture is traditionally pastoral: large flocks of sheep used to arrive in June, having travelled in search of summer pastures from the lowlands of Puglia, where they would return in October. The hillsides are still grazed by local flocks, and you will find ancient beehive-shaped stone huts (tholos) still sheltering shepherds today.
The Park offers its visitors a scenery of extraordinary beauty in every season: late in spring flowers and trees blossom, and this is the best time of the year, together with autumn, to visit ancient villages and hermitages. Summer is the best season to walk along the paths. October is enchanting with its multicolored beech woods and it preludes to winter and its suggestive snow-covered landscapes.
Rich nature, old traditions and archeological findings contribute to make the Mount Majella territories a perfect place for excursions and trips.
Trekking routes can be long and exhausting, and even if they don’t seem to need a lot of skill, patience and effort, they can actually be very dangerous because of changing weather conditions and problems in orienting oneself.
Visitor are therefore advised to follow the paths and to rely on the Park staff for information and guidance.
Admission to the Park is free.
What to wear, what to bring
Visitors are suggested to wear casual and comfortable clothes when visiting the Park
Long trousers or tracksuit bottoms are better than shorts because they protect from thorns and bugs’ bites. Trekking boots with rubber sole are the best, but also a pair of sturdy, comfortable trainers is OK. A map of the area is always necessary.
A backpack with food and water is comfortable. It is better to have a first-aid kit, too.
Obviously, bring a pair of binoculars and a camera to observe and capture the wonders of the Park!
- To pick flowers, plants, moss, stones, etc. and, in general, damage flora and environment;
- To litter;
- To light fires without authorization and, in general, set fires;
- To disturb local fauna;
- To go off the path;
- To damage structures.
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