Photo: Bruno Damicis/brunodamicis.com
Like the back of a giant whale the Majella massif rises majestically above the Adriatic Sea. More than thirty of its peaks are over 2000 metres. Further down dramatic canyons and ravines cut their way through the stone. Two thirds of the entire flora and fauna of Italy can be found here. Spectacular tours lead through the sweeping beech forests by night to observe the activities of otters, owls and Italy’s most famous legendary animal, the Appenine wolf, the emblem of the national park.
Underground, a vast labyrinth of limestone caves, most of them utilized by man since the Prehistoric Age, spreads out with bizarre rock formations and carvings by cavemen. Later, Italic tribes, hermits and notorious bandits retreated to the mountain seclusion, leaving behind architectural treasures and precious art. The heathen temples, medieval frescoes, monasteries and cliff hermitages make excellent hiking destinations in the park.
The Mountain of Majella - the Mountains' Father according to Pliny the Elder, or the “Mother Mountain” for the people of Abruzzi - a high, huge, and wild massif, is now part of the world heritage of National Parks. The area of Majella is characterized by a series of high-mountain plains.
There are around 100 limestone caves in Majella inhabited by 16 different species of bats. Some of these are open to the public. The most famous caves are the “Grotta del Cavallone” (Big Horse Cave) with hidden rivers and wonderful stalagmites and the “Grotta del Bue” (Ox Cave) with prehistoric rock art. Some of the rock carvings in the “Tavola dei Briganti” (Bandits’ Table) were done by bandits hiding in the park.
The Orta river, collecting the waters from a wide basin, flows through a large valley between Majella massif from Mt. Morrone and falls in the Sulmona plain through steep and rocky crags.
Relics of the ancient Italic tribes are plentiful in the Majella region. An imposing Hercules temple stands at the foot of Mount Morrone. The ancient town of Corfinium prides itself on its aquaducts and a necropolis. Ancient rural settlements, so called “Vici” or “Pagi”, can still be found here and there, mainly near the Orta and Lavino rivers. Archealogical findings are also exhibited in the local museums throughout Majella.
Botanical Gardens Apart from a wide variety of local species Majella’s two botanical gardens also display plants from the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Balkans and the Arctic. Hobby gardeners can purchase seedlings as a special souvenir.
During the Middle Ages, Majella and its surroundings were named “Domus Christi” (the House of God) because of the many hermits that made this their retreat. While some hermits re-used cave dwellings, others built hermitages and churches into the rock. Architectural highlights are the 13th century Monastery of Badia Morronese, the 11th century Romanesque Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the 10th-century Abbey of San Liberatore and the Church of San Tommaso with 13th century frescoes and rose-windows in Caramanico Terme.
Museo del Orso Marsicano The interactive multimedia museum “Museo del Orso Marsicano” in Paleno explains the life habits of Majella brown bears and the conservation measures taken to save them from the threat of extinction. A hike on the bear path rounds off the visit!
Take your binoculars and watch the sandpipers, the hawk and the stork in Majella’s flooded areas. If you are lucky you can also watch the golden eagle’s spiral courtship flight in spring.
Hike the “freedom path” through Majella’s sweeping beech forest or take the “spirit trail” to the worship places and pagan sites of the park. 500 km of well marked hiking trails run through Majella national park covering all levels of difficulty. In winter the trails can be walked with snow-shoes. Some trails are also accessible for disabled people.
Immerse yourself in Majella’s nightlife and follow traces of the wolf and the bear under moonlight. Guides can be booked at the park office.
Underground Majella
Go underground and explore Majella’s limestone caves. A local guide will explain the geological and archaelogical features to you.
Relax your leg muscles in the sulforous Caramanico Thermes in Pescara.
Participate in one of Majella’s fiestas, like the fiesta of St Antonio Abate in January, when the patron of animals is worshipped and locals parade in animal masks.
Visit Majella’s idyllic mountain villages, where the skills of the weavers, the lacemakers, the potters and the goldsmiths are still kept alive.
Notwithstanding its proximity to the Adriatic Sea, the climate of the Majella Mountains and of the adjacent mountain ranges is decidedly continental, especially in its central and southern sectors. The precipitation rate is very uneven from zone to zone, being much drier in the central sector (700 mm of rain) and humid on the eastern side (1600 mm). The summer is usually sunny and mild but the winter can be very harsh, with severe snowstorms, although recently these events have become less frequent.
*Given that MNP is a mountain park, with many peaks higher than 2000 metres, even in the summer the weather can change very rapidly, and it is important to be always very well equipped when wandering in remote areas.
*Each season has its own attractions, and it is impossible to tell which the best time to come is: winter is fit for cross-country skiing, mountaineering and other winter sports, while spring and autumn are perfect for visiting the medieval villages, hermitages and historic sites in general, and for wandering in the woods at lower altitudes. Finally, summer is the season for hiking in the mountains and experiencing wilderness in the park.
Whatever period one chooses to visit the park, it is recommended to wear sports clothes or otherwise comfortable and functional clothing. It would be wise to wear long trousers (which protect from insect bites and scratchy thorns); trekking boots with rubber soles (or footwear suitable for long walks). Another idea is to bring a daypack with a water bottle and breakfast and don’t forget the minimum for emergencies.
*The paths are sometimes long and tiring; can be difficult due to the weather conditions and the difficulty of orientation. Therefore it is suggested to stick to the given paths drawn by the park and to rely on the experience of qualified personnel, either to get information or eventually be guided.
http://www.parcomajella.it/LgENG/cartografia.asp
The closest airports are Rome Fiumicino and Pescara airport. The park is situated a 2-hour drive from Rome Fiumicino airport and less than 1 hour from Pescara airport.
Bus: Local bus companies (Arpa and Sangritana) link the park’s towns with Sulmona, Chieti, Pescara, Lanciano and Guardiagrele.
Train: the Roma Sulmona Pescara line, then the two slow but picturesque local lines from Sulmona to Castel di Sangro arrive at the park’s towns
From the west (Rome) by the A25 Roma-Pescara, then the 17, 487, 614, 81 or 84 state road for the Majella towns. From the north (Bologna, Ancona) or east (Bari), the A14 to Pescara, then the A25 westbound. The eastern part of the Majella can be reached from Val di Sangro, then the Casoli road. From the south (Naples) by the A1 to Caianello, then towards Venafro and Roccaraso.
The main access roads are:
- From the West (ROME): highway A24 up to Torano and then A25 to the exits Pratola Peligna, Bussi/Popoli, Torre de’ Passeri or Alanno/Scafa
- From the North (BOLOGNA – ANCONA) and the South-East (BARI): Highway A14 to the exits of Pescara/Chieti, Lanciano or Val di Sangro and then towards the interior (eastern side of the Majella Mt.)
- From the South-West (NAPLES) Highway A1 up to Caianello and then towards Roccaraso – Pescocostanzo (southern side of the Park)
The visitor centres offer a wide range of exhibitions and information on the nature, culture and geography of the region. They also organise different activities and excursions into the park.
in Caramanico Terme
Via del Vivaio - Caramanico Terme (PE)
tel. 085-922343 - fax 085-922343
www.majambiente.it
e-mail: majambiente@tin.it
in Fara San Martino
P.zza Municipio - Fara San Martino (CH)
tel. 0872-980970 - fax 0872-980970
in Lama dei Peligni
Via S.Rocco, 20 - Lama dei Peligni (CH)
tel. 0872-916067 - fax 0872-916067
www.coopmajella.it
e-mail: coopmajella@infinito.it
in Rapino
Via Val di Foro,1 - Rapino (CH)
in Valle dell'Orta
Via Palumbo, 1 – Bolognano
tel. 085-8880343 - fax C/o Comune di Bolognano 085-8880285
in Sant'Eufemia a Majella
S.S. 487 - Sant'Eufemia a Majella
tel. 085.922343 fax 085.920013
e-mail: progettos.eufemia@poste.it
in Sant'Eufemia a Majella
S.S. 487 - Sant'Eufemia a Majella
tel. 085.922343 fax 085.920013
e-mail: progettos.eufemia@poste.it
In addition there are Information centres located in the following villages:
Campo di Giove
Guardiagrele
Pacentro
Pennapiedimonte
Pescocostanzo
For more info: http://www.parcomajella.it/visitare_il_parco/en_centrivisita.htm
- 3 mountain huts (managed)
- 13 mountain huts (not managed)
- very well developed tourism infrastructure
The park offers an elaborate network of paths for different types of visitors. There are interpretation trails and adventurous tourists can undertake a hiking tour to one of the remote hermitages built on steep limestone cliffs - a perfect place to enjoy solitude!
Majella National Park is provided with a thick trail Network (around 700 km): it is able to satisfy the needs of experienced day-trippers or tourists looking for of short walks in nature as well. In order to set up this network and to support each visitor, every path is marked by a letter that marks the route.
Eastern Majella is provided with several routes allowing the hiker to see deep gorges and real canyons among rocky faces. The trails on the Northern side are perfect for people who like discovering, in addition to the natural beauties, the historical and archaeological evidences of the park: retreats, cloisters, fortifications and shepherds’ huts. Mountain lovers will enjoy the high-altitudes itineraries in the central zones of Majella and along the ridge of Mount Morrone. These paths are demanding hikes but are counterbalanced by the beauty of nature and landscapes.
Two popular trails of the national park:
1.The Park Trail
This trail is surely the most complete and demanding one. Although it is not an “Alpine” route, it is suitable only for people experienced in mountain environments and in good health. It is a route crossing the park along its longitudinal axis (around 40 Km) from Pescocostanzo to Popoli and reaching the major peaks of Majella: Mount Amaro (2793m) and Morrone. This path passes through a wild landscape, just one dwelling (Caramanico) and few other equipped rest-stops are on the way. It offers a complete viewing of the park area and the opportunity of discovering woods, pasturelands and real treasures of animal and plant life.
2.The Freedom Trail
This path crosses one of the less-known sectors of the park. This route was used, during the Second World War, by the people who wanted to escape from the territories occupied by the Germans. From Sulmona, it passes through Cansano, Campo di Giove, Palena, Gamberale and Pietransieri, with easy mule tracks or country roads. This itinerary allows one to get to know places of remarkable natural value such as Piano Cerreto. Here, the land is tended according to traditional techniques and rhythms and some animal species live here in the wonderful beech forests.
Many of the visitors centres of MNP provide rental bike service (i.e. Caramanico, S. Eufemia, Lama dei Peligni...). In winter, there are shops in Pescocostanzo, Passo Lanciano, Rivisondoli, Roccaraso, Campo di Giove etc., renting cross-country skis and equipment (as well as downhill skis), snowshoes etc.
For mountain rescue and other health and safety emergency, the number is 118.
Disabled access
- Sant'Eufemia a Majella - footpaths: Lama Bianca, Fonte della Fratta, Grotta Zappano
- Caramanico Terme - Centro di Visita, Museo Naturalistico, Area Faunistica della Lontra
- Pescocostanzo - Bosco di San'Antonio
- Lama dei Peligni - Centro di Visita, Giardino Botanico, area faunistica del Camoscio d'Abruzzo
It is forbidden in the park:
• to pick flowers, plants, moss, and to gather stones etc. in general, damage flora and environment
• to litter
• to light fires without authorisation and in general, set fires
• to disturb local fauna
• to go off the path
• to damage structures
Mountain huts are generally not managed. It is always possible to find at least one open room, but no booking service is provided.
|
|
Protecting wolves in Majella
15 February 2010
PAN Parks Majella, Italy is involved in the project LIFE Wolfnet to develop ideal models for wolf protection and management in the Apennines. The 4-year-long project aims also to apply the management model in other protected areas in the APE (Apennine Park of Europe) network.
The project aims at developing ideal models for wolf protection and...more |
|
|
New Bat Species Discovered in Majella National Park
07 January 2009
Scientists have discovered a new bat species in Majella National Park. The nymph bat (Myotis alcathoe) has the size of a thumb, weighs around five grams and belongs to the smallest bat species in Europe.
The tiny mammal was first spotted by a group of German scientists in Greece in 2001. Due to its strong resemblance to the whiskered bat, experts...more |
|
|
Europe's Wilderness Days, Majella National Park, Italy Setting Goals for Europe's Wilderness
21 October 2008
PAN Parks has just entered its' second decade of conservation work - time to look back, learn from the past and set goals for the future.
This was the aim of the 7th European wilderness conference in Majella National Park (Central Italy) from October 18 till October 22. PAN Parks directors, employees and business partners attended the conference...more |
|
|
Majella NP becomes the sixth park in the PAN Parks network to certify partners
05 December 2007
On November 28, 2007, five proud local business owners were awarded PAN Parks certification and became Local PAN Parks Business Partners. The ceremony was held in the lush Daniela Brescia Botanical Gardens in S. Eufemia in Majella National Park. It was a beautiful setting to celebrate these business owner's achievements.All of the new partners...more |
|
|
Majella National Park leading initiative to connect partners with park visitors
18 July 2007
Majella National Park in Italy is leading an initiative called the GISST (WebGIS for Sustainable Tourism) Project. Part of a much larger European project called GRISI (Geomatic Regional Information Society Initiatives), the park is hoping that implementation of the system will help connect visitors to the park with local partners who offer...more |
|
|
Chinese Delegation visits Majella National Park
13 December 2006
Majella National Park has hosted a Chinese delegation visiting Italy within the China World Heritage Biodiversity Programme.The visit was organized by Federparchi (the association of which most of the protected areas of Italy are members), in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in order to sign...more |
|
|
Majella recommended for verification
29 September 2005
Verifiers have recommended the certification of Majella National Park in Italy. Independent verifiers visited the area and checked highlights and management practices of the park. Ultimately, the team concluded that the park fulfills the requirements of PAN Parks Principles 1-3.At the end of September independent verifiers visited the area after...more |
