Italian Apennines: Walks & Wildlife

Each morning, enjoy a hearty breakfast of cakes, biscuits, cereals, fresh bread and jams, plus eggs and cheese for extra energy on the mountains.

Packed lunches (sandwiches with local breads or focaccia, vegetable, fruit, snack) from the guesthouse or local shops and bakeries are provided each morning to take with you on the day’s adventure.

Each evening, tuck into traditional Italian dishes including maccheroni alla chitarra – a special type of spaghetti, soup with orapi (wild spinach) and beans, gnocchetti, and grilled meat. The region has a strong sheep-rearing culture, so plenty of local dairy products are available such as pecorino, ricotta, caciocavallo and a rare goat’s cheese called marzolina. Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for.

Group normally 6 to 8, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs

Highlights

Experience rewilding in action.

Dramatic natural landscapes

Italian hospitality and some of the finest local food and wine

Pescasseroli: Villino Quintiliani Hotel (nights 1-2 and 4-5) 

Occupying a 1920s mansion, this four-star hotel is just outside the centre of Pescasseroli and in the heart of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. It has an art nouveau style, including in the 11 bedrooms, and a peaceful location, away from the touristy areas and close to the national park visitor centre. The village itself is surrounded by ancient woodland and soaring mountains, while the old town is a picturesque combination of traditional stone buildings.

In the mountains: Terraegna Mountain Refuge (night 3)

Stay in the wilds of Italy, a land shared with bears, wolves and wild boars, but with a few home comforts. The refuge is high in the peaks, on the saddle between Pescasseroli and Bisegna, and has a wood-burning stove for heating and cooking, electricity supplied by solar power, and a communal seating space for meals. Accommodation is in a comfortable dorm with bunkbeds for eight people and shared bathroom facilities.

Worth knowing

Single supplement is available on request for the hotel only.

We use a minivan for most of the trip. Some experiences can be supported by off-road vehicles on dirt or secondary roads.