Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park

Did You Know?

• The park contains a circuit of approximately 300 km of trails for horseback, mountain bike, or foot travel.
• Educational projects are active in the park visitor centres.
• Activities include hiking, horse riding, mountain biking, canoeing, bird watching, alpine skiing, ski mountaineering, and cross-country skiing.

Geography

The park centres on the Gran Sasso massif, which rises above the Campo Imperatore pastures. The terrain is rocky and experiences heavy snow and wind. Beneath the tallest peak, Corno Grande, lies the Calderone, Europe's southernmost glacier. The Monti della Laga chain on the north side is forested with beeches, firs, turkey oaks, and chestnuts. Lake Campotosto hosts migratory birds. Over 200 km of horse trails cross the park.

Nature and wildlife

The park is among Europe's most biologically diverse areas, with a climate between Mediterranean and continental. Over two thousand plant species occur, including the exclusive Abruzzo Edelweiss. Wildlife includes the Abruzzo chamois, Apennine wolves, Marsican brown bear, roe deer, wildcats, wild boars, foxes, and squirrels. Notable birds are the golden eagle, white-backed woodpecker, goshawk, common buzzard, and peregrine falcon. The apollo butterfly is among the insects.

Settlements

Many small villages lie within the park, characterised by stone and brick houses and narrow streets. Place names often reflect defensive or summit positions, such as Castel, Rocca, Pizzo, and Colle. Settlements in the Province of L'Aquila include Assergi, Barete, Barisciano, Cagnano Amiterno, Calascio, Campotosto, Capestrano, Capitignano, Carapelle Calvisio, Castel del Monte, Castel Paganica, Castelvecchio Calvisio, L'Aquila, Lake Pietranzoni, Mascioni, Montereale, Ofena, Pizzoli, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, and Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi. In the Province of Ascoli Piceno are Acquasanta Terme and Arquata del Tronto. The Province of Pescara includes Brittoli, Bussi sul Tirino, Carpineto della Nora, Castiglione a Casauria, Civitella Casanova, Corvara, Farindola, Montebello di Bertona, Pescosansonesco, and Villa Celiera. The Province of Rieti has Accumoli and Amatrice. The Province of Teramo includes Arsita, Campli, Castelli, Civitella del Tronto, Cortino, Crognaleto, Fano Adriano, Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia, Montorio al Vomano, Pietracamela, Rocca Santa Maria, Torricella Sicura, Tossicia, and Valle Castellana.