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The Corno Grande from the east, taken from Cologna Paese (almost at the Adriatic coast)Photo: Thomas Nippgen, Archiv Thomas Nippgen
Scenic mountain route via the normal way to the highest point of the Abruzzo and the Apennines. The route passes through uniquely beautiful and wild mountain landscape.
The rock massif of the summit of Corno Grande lies in the Gran Sasso area and towers from afar into the sky as a rock massif. It can be seen from the Adriatic coast on a clear day. The summit can be reached by several routes.
The summit crown is made of dolomite and has three peaks (Occidentale - 2912 m, Centrale - 2893 m, and Orientale - 2903 m). To the north, they form a basin in which the southernmost glacier of Europe still lies (at least as of October 2022), the Ghiacciaio del Calderone.
Several routes lead from Campo Imperatore up this mountain. The easiest is the "via normale," a hiking route over the west side; for more experienced hikers, there is the "via direttissima," an easy climbing route (difficulty grade II) that leads from the south over the scree cone at the base of the Corno Grande to the summit.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
Considerable risk of rockfall from preceding hikers from the start of the rocky gully to the second small saddle.
Roadbook
From the mountain station of the Gran Sasso cable car, ascend briefly along the wide scree path by the observatory to a fork. Now follow the right path through the southeast flank of Monte Portella to the saddle Sella di Monte Aquila (signposted). From the saddle, follow the marked trail "Corno Grande - Via Normale - No. 103" in a left curve through the high cirque Campo Pericoli, and finally steeply ascending to the shoulder Sella del Breccilao. From the shoulder, continue further up on the right path, and after about 30 minutes you will reach a flat terrain terrace. From there, continue along the distinct scree path to a fork where the left path leads to Rifugio Franchetti. Keep right and follow the increasingly steep and narrow path to the start of a rocky gully. Climb up this gully (partly secured with wire ropes) to a small saddle.
From the saddle, ascend keeping right. At first, follow bands and gullies (marked red and white), which then disappear higher up into the rock face. Continue up rock steps to another small saddle, from where you can see for the first time the almost melted southernmost glacier of Europe, the Ghiacciaio del Calderone. From this small saddle, again keep right and follow the trail southwards always on the west side below the ridge until a corner. Around the corner to the left, flattening out to the summit structure. Now somewhat steeper, always follow the red-white markings to the summit.
From the start of the rocky gully, there are repeatedly easy climbing sections that do not exceed difficulty grade I.
The descent was done via the ascent route.
Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park
Corno Grande, 2912 m
Campo Imperatore Observation Station
Bergstation Funivia Gran Sasso d´Italia, 2130 m
Public transport
No known information.
There is the cable car "Funivia del Gran Sasso" that leads directly from the small village Fonte Cerreto up to the observatory.
Apparently regular operation in winter during ski season or in summer during the main season.
Directions
From Teramo, take the A24 towards Rome to the Assergi exit. From there, follow the SS17 signs to Campo Imperatore until the junction where the side road to Campo Imperatore turns left. Follow this road to its end at the large parking area at the observatory.
Parking
Free parking available at the observatory
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Rother hiking guide "Abruzzo"
Author’s map recommendations
Kompass map sheet 2476, Gran Sasso 1:50,000
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
Normal hiking equipment and sturdy hiking shoes are sufficient. Additionally, one should carry a rockfall helmet.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions