The best walks and hikes in L'Aquila

Campo Imperatore is an absolute must-see due to its otherworldly, vast mountain landscape, also known as 'Little Tibet' (Piccolo Tibet). It is one of the largest and highest plateaus in Europe (located at approx. 1,800 to 2,100 meters).

Rifugio Fonte Vetica is currently closed because the main building (the hotel-restaurant) was completely destroyed by a fierce, raging fire on the night of September 1st to 2nd, 2021. Since then, the catering and hotel facilities at that specific location have been unusable.

The story of Pupo Nunzio di Roio from October 1919 is one of the most poignant historical tragedies of the Abruzzo region. It symbolises the harsh and dangerous reality of the transumanza (the seasonal migration of livestock), which for centuries determined the economic and social life of this Italian mountain region. This place commemorates one of the most tragic events in the history of the transumanza, the age-old migration where shepherds drove their sheep every summer to the green pastures of Campo Imperatore and returned in the autumn to the warmer plains of Puglia. In the autumn of 1919, the 41-year-old shepherd Nunzio Pupi, better known as Pupo Nunzio, postponed the descent for a few days. The autumn was exceptionally mild, and he wanted to let his flock of no less than 5,000 sheep graze for as long as possible. But the weather unexpectedly turned. A fierce snowstorm caught him by surprise in the middle of the high plain. Together with his two young sons, Idolo (12) and Alfredo (11), and their loyal sheepdog, he became disoriented in the snow. None of them survived the icy storm. The entire flock also perished. According to local legend, his wife Ersilia Caruso could not cope with the loss of her husband, her children, and their sole source of livelihood. She died a short time later, consumed by grief. This moving story recalls the hard life of the shepherds, who were completely dependent on nature and often paid a high price for their existence. About the monument: Monument of Fonte Vetica In Fonte Vetica, on the southeastern plateau of Campo Imperatore, stands an impressive monument commemorating the tragedy of 1919. The Abruzzese sculptor Vicentino Michetti immortalised the shepherd, his two sons, and their dog as they desperately fought against the icy snowstorm. A little further away stands the statue of the mother, with outstretched arms directed towards the mountains, hoping to see her family return alive. Although the monument tells one poignant story, it has become a tribute to all the shepherds of Abruzzo who, over the centuries, risked their lives during the arduous transumanza. Anyone who stops at Fonte Vetica today immediately feels the impressive combination of overwhelming beauty and the unforgiving power of this mountain landscape.

The Abruzzo Astronomical Observatory on Campo Imperatore, officially the Stazione Osservativa di Campo Imperatore, is one of Italy's most special observatories, located at an altitude of 2,150 meters. Since its opening in 1965, astronomers here have benefited from exceptionally clear nights. Thanks to a natural phenomenon, thermal inversion, clouds and artificial light often remain trapped in the valleys, making the night sky above the plateau remarkably dark and clear. Historical tidbit: one of the observatory's most important telescopes has a remarkable history. The AZT-24 infrared telescope was originally intended as a gift from Adolf Hitler to Benito Mussolini during World War II and was known as the "Mussolini telescope." However, due to the fall of the fascist regime, the telescope was never delivered. After the war, the instrument was taken by the Soviet Union to the Pulkovo Observatory. It wasn't until after the end of the Cold War that the telescope returned to Italy, where it finally found a permanent home on Campo Imperatore in 1997. The observatory also played an important role in modern astronomy. Between 2001 and 2004, during the CINEOS project, scientists discovered more than 1,500 new asteroids, including several so-called Near-Earth Objects that approach Earth's orbit. Thus, Campo Imperatore is not only one of the most beautiful places to stargaze but also a location that makes a significant contribution to the research of our solar system and the monitoring of potential space risks.

OPENING HOURS, always useful to know before you go up! Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi is open daily for the summer season. The opening hours and seasons are arranged as follows: summer season (continuously open) Period: From June 15 to the end of September, the mountain hut is open non-stop every day. Daytime (kitchen/bar): You can usually go there from approx. 08:30 to 17:00 for drinks, snacks, and lunch. Overnight stay: If you have booked an overnight stay in advance, you can join for dinner in the evening. Autumn, Winter & Spring (limited opening) Period: from October to May. Days: The hut is then in principle only open on weekends (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon), provided the weather and snow conditions allow it safely. Closure: the hut often closes completely in the month of November due to the start of the heavy winter snowfall. Important to know: because the mountain hut is located at an altitude of almost 2400 meters, the opening hours are always dependent on the weather. In case of heavy storms, dense fog, or sudden snowfall, the hut may remain unexpectedly closed. Do you want to be sure whether the manager is present or do you want to book a place to sleep? Check the current status via the official CAI Booking Platform or contact the managers directly via +39 388 186 7703.

Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi is located at an altitude of 2,388 meters on Monte Portella and is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Gran Sasso massif. The mountain hut, built in 1908 by the Italian Alpine Club (CAI), is named after the famous explorer and mountaineer Luigi Amedeo of Savoy. From the terrace, you can enjoy a spectacular 360° panorama over the Campo Imperatore plateau, the imposing Corno Grande – the highest peak in the Apennines at 2,912 meters – and the rugged Val Maone. The relatively short hike to the hut immediately offers a real high-mountain feeling and is an ideal stopover for lunch or an espresso, but also serves as a starting point for more challenging climbs. Historical fact: just below the mountain hut lies the Hotel Campo Imperatore, where Benito Mussolini was held captive in 1943. From this area, he looked out over the endless peaks of the Apennines until he was freed by a glider during the spectacular German rescue operation, Operation Oak. This combination of impressive nature, mountaineering history, and a remarkable chapter from World War II makes a visit to Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi extra memorable.

Given the steepness, trekking poles are recommended.

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