CAMMINO DEL GRAN SASSO

Stage 02: Castel del Monte – Rocca Calascio

Length: 8.96 km
Height difference: +455 m / – 382 m

The second stage of Cammino del Gran Sasso guides us through the discovery of two beautiful villages, Castel del Monte (1346 m) and Calascio (1210 m) and unveils the mysteries of the Rocca di Calascio (1464 m).

Following the Cammino signs, we head south along a cart track that runs alongside the provincial road. We pass cultivated fields and farms until we climb toward Colle della Battaglia (1180 m). An ancient settlement of the Italic Vestino people, Colle della Battaglia was completely destroyed in 324 B.C. by the Roman Consul Brutus Sceva; today only a few traces of the triple walls that defended the settlement are visible.

We continue on our way and, with a few strides, reach Calascio, a splendid village perched on the southeastern ridge of the mountain where the imposing Rocca stands. An architectural masterpiece of Norman origin, enlarged and equipped with four cylindrical towers in the late 15th century, it has been listed by National Geographic as one of the 15 most beautiful castles in the world.

Exploring the ancient fortification, a favorite setting for numerous film films, and visiting the Renaissance Church of Santa Maria della Pietà, we are transported to distant times, savoring the cultural richness of these mountain lands.

Stage 03: Rocca Calascio – Santo Stefano di Sessanio

Length: 5.04 km
Height difference: +177 / – 322

We are about to travel the third stage of Cammino del Gran Sasso: it will be short but full of wonders ready to amaze us.

Before leaving Rocca di Calascio (1464 m), we indulge in a thorough tour of the fortification and enjoy a breathtaking view of the highest mountains in the Gran Sasso range. The section of the trail that separates us from our destination today is simple and scenic, suitable even for families with children.

We walk on trail for five kilometers and overlook the valley located to the south, elegantly and geometrically shaped by terraces once cultivated with lentils and cereals such as spelt, Solina wheat, Rosciola, and Saragolla, the only floristic species that could withstand these altitudes.

Upon reaching the village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio (1251 m), the end of the third stage, we will have no need to rest, as we will be hopelessly attracted by the picturesque and narrow alleys of the small village of medieval origin but characterized by Renaissance architectural overlays of Tuscan taste that testify to the domination in the territory of the Piccolomini and Medici families.

Stage 04: Santo Stefano di Sessanio – Barisciano

Length: 7.6 km
Height difference: +546 / -795

After scouting out every enchanted glimpse of Santo Stefano di Sessanio (1251 m) we set off, backpack on our shoulders, to tackle the fourth stage of Cammino del Gran Sasso, which, mostly downhill, will take us to Barisciano (940 m), which preserves some architectural glimpses from the 16th century, evidence of the presence of the Caracciolo family. Here we can visit the small church of Buon Consiglio or Capo di Serra dating back to the 13th century and decorated inside with valuable votive frescoes.

In a five-hour itinerary, we face a scenic route that skirts the Piana delle Locce (1230 m), where we encounter numerous shelters carved into the rock, called Locce. These served as support for agro-pastoral activities that took advantage of the arable plateaus and the very wide moors dedicated to grazing.

Accompanied by the constant presence of the majestic peak of Corno Grande, we continue on our route to the former Convent ofSan Colombo (1088 m). From here we are close to the town of Barisciano, the gateway to the Park and the final destination of today’s stage.

Stage 05: Barisciano – Fonte Cerreto

Length: 17.50 km
Height difference: +770/ – 634

On the fifth day, our Cammino allows us to explore the beautiful highlands of the Park, framed by the high mountains of the Gran Sasso Range. We leave the town of Barisciano (940 m) heading north, following the Cammino signs.

We proceed slightly uphill for most of the stage, crossing a valley that takes us to a fork with a small lake, Fonte Vedice, used for watering grazing animals. From here we follow in a northwesterly direction a slightly uphill cart track that will lead us to the lonely and silent Tempietto di Sant’Eusanio (1402 m).

oco ahead, we cross the Piano di Fugno (1373 m), a wide and spectacular plateau where rainwater flows to form the small Filetto Lake, almost always frozen in winter. We cross and cross the provincial road that climbs from the Aquila side and follow the valley that leads us to the Montecristo Refuge, just in time for a snack. From here we climb slightly and arrive at the ridge, just above Valle Fredda. We thus begin to descend and, in just four kilometers, arrive at Fonte Cerreto (1115 m) where there are refreshments, overnight facilities and the base of the Cable Car.