Hikes in Castelli

Hike to the foot of the north face of Monte Camicia

Ascent to Monte Camicia from Fonte della Vetica

From Castelli (497 m), in piazza G. Marconi take the Provincial Road towards Teramo. In the locality Madonna delle Grazie (1 km), enter the Sentiero Italia where you leave the provincial road and take the trail.

Wonderful route in wild and unspoiled environments, fairly tiring due to the significant elevation gain.

Discovering one of the most beautiful mountains of the Gran Sasso massif. From Fonte Vetica there is a significant elevation gain, about 1000 meters, so a steady pace and training are needed because the path to reach the summit is short, therefore the slope of the route is quite steep. It is recommended to use sunscreen (maximum sun exposure in this area).

This hike has a route that passes over Castelli, so we are also going to involve beautiful Mount Camicia with its spectacular North Face. A hike open to everyone, families with children and even for people less trained or predisposed to hiking at lower elevations.

From Colle Corneto (940 m), you enter the Sentiero Italia, walking immersed in the beech forest. The trail immediately enters a stand of beech trees, and after a ditch, you come across a white-red metal barrier. Along the path, you encounter sparse, faded white-red marks on the trees. Shortly after the barrier, at a fork, you must take the left, while at a subsequent fork, take the trail on the right, which climbs up to the pass that leads onto the small plateau of Colle dei Cavatori, at an elevation of 1054 m.

From the large parking area near the Fonte Vetica refuge (1630 m), close to a trail panel, the trail begins and on a small wall you can see the signs for two paths 8A and 8B. On this occasion, the 8A path was taken, which goes through Vado di Siella and Monte Siella and Monte Tremoggia before reaching Monte Camicia. You cross a first short wooded section, then continue along the slope with no excessive incline, up to Vado di Siella. Now you turn sharply left towards Monte Siella, with a view over the vast plain below. The indications are few, but paint marks are visible on some rocks until you reach Sella Fontefredda (1984 m), from where you begin to climb the wide ridge that also allows you to see the equally large plain towards the Adriatic coast. Now a slightly steeper section leads to Monte Tremoggia (2331 m) where there is a cross. At this point, a pause to admire the view ahead is almost mandatory. Then you continue with a short up and down to climb decidedly towards the small pass that brings you closer to Monte Camicia. From the pass you climb briefly and reach the summit of Monte Camicia (2564 m), where there is a cross. Next to it you can see the equally large Monte Perna (2561 m). Both peaks are part of the Centennial Trail which starts in Campo Imperatore. The return is descended along the wide channel that passes just below the trail taken uphill. The descent is a bit steep in some sections but presents no difficulties. You reach the entrance of a forest which shortly precedes the return to the Fonte Vetica refuge. The environment is suggestive; above 1900 m there are no more trees, but even this makes the landscape beautiful. The hike presents no difficulties and no orientation problems as you always have a view of the Fonte Vetica plain. Along the trail, there are no water sources. Easy but very beautiful hike in a truly suggestive environment; in my opinion, the plain of Campo Imperatore almost alone is worth a trip to Abruzzo!!!

Fantastic and strenuous ascent to Prena from Campo Imperatore via the Cieri climbing route. Breathtaking views and panoramas on a route that is not technically difficult, but REQUIRES no fear of heights and good fitness. Return via the Normal route of Prena

Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park - Siella Ford - Monte Siella - Fonte Fredda Saddle - Monte Tremoggia - Monte Camicia - Fonte Vetica Refuge