Contact me by info@molisetrekking.com for a date
The tour of the “Amazing Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park” gives you the chance to experience a high-quality, historical-cultural, nature-based vacation. Starting from a farmhouse in a valley close to the Mainarde Mountains, we explore the beautiful trails of this National Park.
Duration: 4 walking days, 5 nights, 6 days overall
Destination: Alfedena and Molise mountainside, in the Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park
Trail Type: mountain in a snowy environment.
Features: cultural and historical; experiential; natural; food and wine.
Accommodation: farmhouse, in twin rooms with private bathroom.
Where to eat: farmhouse.
Group size: 8-12 people. Extra charge for small group until to 4 people.
Difficulty: medium
An excursion is very simple. There are ascents and descents. In the first two days the total elevation gain exceeds 800 meters (2624 ft). In the second two days it is 380 and 510 meters (1246 and 1673 ft). The trails do not present any technical difficulty (use of mountaineering equipment). Hikes are suitable to all ability levels, though you will need to learn how to hike on the snow (if any, the hikes will be on snowshoes). Hikes are on foot. Fixed and same place for the overnight. Short transfers by motorized vehicle. Overnights are comfortable.
Length of the itinerary: 41.5 km (25.8 mi)
Total elevation gain: +1800 m (+5905 ft)
Total elevation loss: -1800 m (-5905 ft)
Beautiful atmospheres in the medieval historical centers of Alfedena, Castelnuovo al Volturno, Montenero Valcocchiara, Castel San Vincenzo, e Pizzone, very small villages full of artistic history with palaces, churches, fountains, crossroads, gardens, and more. The ghost town of Rocchetta Alta is another notable stop along this journey.
The archaeological area of San Vincenzo al Volturno, the most important Benedictine monastic complex in Europe in the 8th-9th centuries, with the notable crypt dell’abate Epifanio. The beautiful hermitage of San Michele a Foce, set in a rocky wall. The paths of the Italian Liberation Corps, operating in these mountains after the Italian armistice during World War II.
The Mainarde Mountains are part of the Molise area of the Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park, among the oldest parks in Italy. They make up a wild and solitary mountain range, where it is possible to come across a variety of wild animals: from deer to chamois; from wolves to Marsican brown bears. Additionally, you will pass through lush beech woods and get to admire remarkable views.
Your journey will be enriched by the delicious traditional cuisine of Abruzzo and Molise and its excellent drinks. Traditional products and dishes, often handmade and old-fashioned, brighten the evenings of walkers. You can taste cheeses such as caciocavallo, pecorino, burrata, and manteca and try cured meats like soppressata, ventricina, capicollo, and rolled up ventresca. You can eat local seasonal vegetables and legumes and can drink Moscato white wine and Tintilia red wine.
In moments of rest, you will meet local experts, who tell stories and traditions of Molise. We attend a culinary workshop and we visit an organic farm and cooperative community. The trip is also characterized by an intimate, informal, and welcoming atmosphere and by the constant presence and help of the guide.
Day 1
Arrival at Isernia and meeting with professional nature and interpretative guide.
Transfer to Alfedena by motorized vehicle.
Accommodation and explanation of the journey.
Dinner at farmhouse.
Night in farmhouse, in twin rooms with private bathroom.
Day 2
After breakfast, we transfer by motorized vehicle to Pianoro Le Forme, where we start the hike to Passo dei Monaci.
Packed lunch.
Private transfer by motorized vehicle to the farmhouse for the rest.
Dinner in farmhouse.
Night in farmhouse, in twin rooms with private bathroom.
If there is snow, the excursion will be on snowshoes.
Located in a remarkable and silent natural setting, the plateau le Forme is surrounded by mountains and woods. We cross it and then we climb up the mountainous side through the beautiful beech forest of the Val Pagana. Once out of the forest, the view is truly impressive, including Monte la Meta (2232 m (7322 ft) a.s.l.), Metuccia (2102 m (6896 ft) a.s.l.) and Monte a Mare (2160 m (7086 ft) a.s.l.). Arrived on the Passo dei Monaci (1967 m (6453 ft) a.s.l.), a place of passage for the Benedictine monks to come and go between the monasteries of Montecassino and San Vincenzo al Volturno, the panorama gets even better, also opening up on the Lazio side and on Monte Tartaro (2190 m (7185 ft) a.s.l.).
Technical Information
Duration: 6 hours (rest-times not included).
Length of the trek: 11 km (6.8 mi)
Total elevation gain: +810 m (+2657 ft)
Total elevation loss: -810 m (-2657ft)
Difficulty: challenging.
Day 3
After breakfast, we transfer by motorized vehicle to Castelnuovo al Volturno, where we’ll start a hiking until to Monte Marrone.
Packed lunch.
Private transfer by motorized vehicle to the farmhouse for the rest.
Dinner in farmhouse.
Night in farmhouse, in twin rooms with private bathroom.
If there is snow, the excursion will be on snowshoes.
The path to Monte Marrone goes up the Valle Viata, meandering through a beautiful beech forest. Once out of the forest, la Ferruccia plain opens to the view of Monte Marrone (1805 m (5921 ft) a.s.l.), Monte Ferruccia (2005 m (6578 ft) a.s.l.) and Monte Mare (2020 m (6627 ft) a.s.l.). We climb to the top of Monte Marrone: here the view is enchanting. Afterwards, we descend to a hut which hosted a French painter, Charles Moulin, who lived a good part of his life in these mountains. At the end of walking day we’ll visit the “ghost town” of Rocchetta Alta.
Technical Information
Duration: 6 hours (rest-times not included).
Length of the trek: 11 km (6.8 mi)
Total elevation gain: +810 m (+2657 ft)
Total elevation loss: -810 m (-2657 ft)
Difficulty: challenging.
Day 4
After breakfast, we transfer by motorized vehicle to Montenero Valcocchiara, where we start the hike to Pantano della Zittola-Feudo Valcocchiara.
Lunch at bar.
Private transfer by motorized vehicle to Castel del Giudice and then to the farmhouse for the rest.
Dinner in farmhouse.
Night in farmhouse, in twin rooms with private bathroom.
If there is snow, the excursion will be on snowshoes.
In the morning, we make a short excursion to the Pantano della Zittola, in Montenero Valcocchiara, which is one of the largest Apennine marsh in central and southern Italy, characterized by different habitats: prairie, swamp, peat bog, forest with karst areas and a stream. These aquatic environments host several birds and many grazing animals, including an indigenous horse: the pentro horse. The vast extension of the area, connected to the relevant naturalistic and landscape aspects, makes this marshy environment of particular value and rarity in this part of Italy.
After meeting with a horse breeder and lunch, we move to Castel del Giudice, another small village in Molise, to get to know two aspects of life there: agriculturalism and tourism. Both work against one of the greatest evils of Molise, depopulation.
Technical Information
Duration: 1 hour (rest-times not included).
Length of the trek: 4 km (2.5 mi)
Total elevation gain: +100 m (+328 ft)
Total elevation loss: -100 m (-328 ft)
Difficulty: easy
Day 5
After breakfast, we transfer by motorized vehicle to Castel San Vincenzo, where we start a hike to Valle di Mezzo and San Michele a Foce hermitage to Pizzone and Castel San Vincenzo.
Packed lunch.
Private transfer by motorized vehicle to the farmhouse for the rest.
Dinner in farmhouse.
Night in farmhouse, in twin rooms with private bathroom.
If there is snow, the excursion will be on snowshoes.
From the village of Castel San Vincenzo we go through the gorge of la Foce, between views of the lake of Castel San Vincenzo and the Mainarde mountains. We go up to the hermitage of San Michele a Foce, a very peaceful and sacred place nestled in a rocky wall. Going down to the bottom of the valley, we go up into the beech forest to reach the Casone del Medico. From here we go down to the village of Pizzone and then back to Castel San Vincenzo.
Technical Information
Duration: 5 hours (rest-times not included).
Length of the trek: 15.5 km (9.6 mi)
Total elevation gain: +380 m (+1246 ft)
Total elevation loss: -380 m (-1246 ft)
Difficulty: medium
Day 6
Time to say goodbye and go back.
After breakfast, we transfer by motorized vehicle from farmhouse to archeological area of San Vincenzo al Volturno, in Rocchetta a Volturno, where we stop and visit.
Then, we transfer to the railway or bus station of Isernia.
The Benedictine monastic community of San Vincenzo al Volturno is one of the most important archaeological areas of the Early Middle Ages and it is a true landmark of Italy’s cultural heritage. The monastery had significant power in Europe in the 8th and 9th centuries. Among the various remains that can be visited in the ancient monastery, the crypt of the abbé Epifanio is a notable one, with rare examples of Early Medieval frescoes. A real gem, to be enjoyed slowly.
For groups of 8 to 12 people. Extra charge for small group until to 4 people.
What’s included
What’s not included:
Notice: This program may be to change, before and during the journey. Changes are based on the climate, the needs of travelers and the people that host the group of travelers.
