For nature lovers there is no better time of year to visit the majestic Parco della Maiella: in fact, you can take advantage of regenerating walks in the green without the nightmare of the crowd. Let’s find out what not to miss!
Abruzzo is a land rich in treasures, but the Maiella or Majella Park is an oasis of unparalleled beauty not to be missed.
The Maiella Park is a mountain park stretched out towards the sea with breathtaking beauty: unspoilt nature, archaeological, historical and architectural testimonies and itineraries make it unique.
La storia del Parco
Il Parco della Maiella è stato istituito agli inizi degli anni Novanta e abbraccia una superficie di oltre settantaquattromila ettari con trentanove comuni. Quali sono i paesi della Maiella? Comprende vari comuni tra le provincie di Chieti, Pescara e l’Aquila e sei comunità montane.
Dove sono i monti della Maiella? L’area del Parco si estende interamente in Abruzzo abbracciando il massiccio della Maiella, l’altopiano di Femmina Morta, le montagne del Morrone e i monti Pizi. Insomma si estende per gran parte sopra i duemila metri di altezza (ma le vette sono piuttosto tondeggianti e facili da raggiungere).
La coesistenza di vari ecosistemi ha permesso la formazione di un’oasi naturale con riserve caratterizzate da una flora e una fauna diversificata (addirittura nel Parco della Majella sono stati rinvenuti animali e piante per la prima volta in assoluto).
L’area mostra le testimonianze del passato, dall’era paleolitica all’insediamento dei monaci fino all’eremitismo. Le grotte, i capanni a tholos, i luoghi di culto, gli eremi e le cittadine diroccate testimoniano la storia dell’uomo. Non a caso, il perché la Maiella si chiama così dipende da questo: riprende il nome della grande madre Maja venerata dai primi agricoltori.
Il Parco si può visitare in ogni stagione dell’anno perché una vasta gamma di attrazioni e attività, ma è proprio in inverno che si può approfittare di rigeneranti passeggiate nel verde senza l’incubo della folla.
Parco della Majella: what to see and what to do
The Maiella Park is full of breathtaking landscapes and interesting historical and archaeological evidence. Making a list of what to see and do in Majella National Park is really difficult.
Among the things not to be missed is the locality Caramanico Terme immersed in the Orfento Valley: its waters are a panacea for body and mind. The town of Caramanico is the starting point of various trekking routes in the Orfento Valley.
The Morrone massif is separated from the Maiella massif by the San Leonardo Pass and offers a unique setting among grasslands, pastures, rocky landscapes, hermitages and sanctuaries. It is very famous for the remains of a sanctuary of Ercole Curino, the hermitage of Sant’Onofrio and the hermitage of San Pietro (reachable respectively by the Spirit Path and the Park Path).
Another Hermitage not to be missed is the Hermitage of San Bartolomeo in Legio in Vallone di S. Spirito because it is almost completely Built in the Rock and characterized by a Spring of internal water. It is also worth visiting the Hermitage of Santo Spirito della Majella and the Hermitage of San Giovanni all’Orfento.
Nature lovers should not miss the Tavola dei Briganti, a nature reserve at the foot of Mount Cavallo reached along the Park Trail. It was the place where the brigands gathered to plan the blows.
It is outside the Park, but it is one of the villages of the Majella not to be missed for the workshops of metal artisans and stone houses: we are talking about the village of Guardiagrele. It is worth visiting the church of Santa Maria Maggiore for its unique architecture and the works preserved inside.
Within the Maiella Park there are many Visitor Centres designed to assist visitors with useful information and guided tours. In these centers you can learn about the history and heritage of the Park by visiting museum sections and theme exhibitions.
Those who choose to visit the Park in winter can enjoy winter sports (alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding) thanks to the five ski resorts.
Majella Park: excursions
There is no better way to discover the most beautiful place of the Majella than hiking or walking along the network of paths and paths divided into thematic, hiking or family.
The Maiella Park is suitable for everyone and can be explored on foot, on a bike or on horseback depending on the skills and level of difficulty.
The network of routes extends for over twelve hundred kilometers, leaving you free to decide on the type of experience to be lived.
Among the most popular routes there is the Park Trail that reaches the peaks of Monte Porrara and Monte Amaro or the Spirit Trail that runs along the cult sites of the area.
The Freedom Path is also very suggestive because it follows the path taken by the partisans and allies who liberated Italy.
The Path of Huts is very popular because it connects the stone huts used by farmers and shepherds in the past.
What to eat
The journey to discover the Maiella Park cannot end without having tasted some dishes and typical products of the area.
Among the products that have made the history of the territory there are the black pig of Abruzzo, the Frentano sausage, the ventricina of the vastese, the curly broccoli and the honey of the Maiella.
If you want to taste the traditional dishes then you can not go away without having tasted the broth of cardone, pasta alla chitarra, pallotte casce and ova, arrosticini, sagne and beans and pizza and fuije.
Majella Park: where to sleep
Those who choose to stay in the area to explore the other wonders of the Park and its surroundings can book in one of the facilities scattered throughout the territory: campsites, shelters, guest houses, B&Bs, hotels and hostels.
Copertina: Hotel Galf
