MAJELLA NATIONAL PARK TRAIL SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY MAJELLA NATIONAL PARK TRAIL — SELF GUIDED WALKING SUMMARY Explore the Majella National Park by foot and uncover Abruzzo’s best kept secrets, natural landscapes, medieval villages, ancient castles and the region’s authentic culture and traditions. The Majella National Park is located in the region of Abruzzo, central Italy. Abruzzo stretches from the heart of the Apennines out to the Adriatic sea and is known for it’s dramatic mountain scenery, diverse landscapes and untouched nature. Famed for it’s truffles, olive oils, fine wine and pecorino cheese the flavours and art behind the region’s gastronomy will provide a truly authentic Abruzzese experience. This trek crosses the Majella National Park from North to South East passing through a variety of habitats, from the peaks of Mt. Majelletta down to the Plain of Sulmona. Walk through high alpine meadows of the Orfento valley down to the lush beech forests with excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. Discover mysterious caves, Romanesque monasteries and pretty medieval villages full of character and charm providing a perfect spot to enjoy the culinary traditions attached to the province. Ambruzze cooks are masters at turning simple ingredients into flavoursome feasts. Chilli pepper, aromatic Tour: The Majella National Park Trail saffron and fruity olive oil are essential in every day cooking. Scrippelle (savoury filled crêpes) and Code:WITSMNP Pastuccia, a polenta stew with sausage, eggs, and cheese are firm favourites however one of the most Type: Self-Guided Walking Holiday prominent dishes of the region is maccheroni alla chitarra (guitar pasta), made from a flat rolling pin on a Price: See Website wooden box with strings (hence the name). The pasta is served with a tomato based sauce, often flavoured Single Supplement: See Website with pork, goose or lamb washed down with a glass of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. Dates: June – Early November Walking Days: 5 Days Your holiday includes six nights accommodation in family run three star hotels and cosy agriturismo, whom Nights: 6 Nights are well known for their warm and welcoming hospitality and cuisine. Luggage transfer, emergency support, Start/Finish: Pretoro/Sulmona detailed route notes and maps are all included so you can just relax and enjoy the walking, food and wine of Grade: Easy to Moderate Abruzzo. Closest Airport: Pescara/Rome HIGHLIGHTS Is It For Me? A perfect walk for those with an for apprecia- Exploring the mountainous wilderness of the Majella National Park tion for unspoilt rural landscapes, wildlife and Rural Abruzzo dotted with medieval villages, castles and churches strong local cultural traditions all of which are Ancient San Liberatore Abbey complemented by the fine gastronomy of the Abruzzo region. Authentic flavours of the regional produce, fine wines and olive oils Warm and welcoming hospitality of the locals What’s Included? Accommodation: 6 Nights accommodation WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY WITH US? in small 3 star hotels and agriturismo. Meals: A delicious breakfast is included Macs Adventure specialise in great value self guided walking holidays. As passionate and regular walkers each day. Lunch is not included but always we know what makes for an unforgettable trip and we pride ourselves on delivering outstanding walking available at your accommodation or nearby. holidays with every last detail taken care of. Great walking routes, breathtaking scenery and warm, good Dinner is included on night 2,3 and 4 food and welcoming accommodation are all part of our winning formula. Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door baggage transfer. From your first contact with Macs Adventure you will deal with a specialist who knows Italy inside out. They Transfers: Day1 2,3,4 and 6 help you plan every aspect of your holiday and to make the most of your time in the Majella National Park. Information Pack: Detailed route notes, maps and emergency phone support. Self guided walking holidays are the very best way to explore Majella National Park and it’s gastronomy. Pre booked accommodation of character, insider hints and tips, detailed route notes and maps, baggage transfer and transfers as necessary and local backup support mean you and enjoy your time walking in Italy. MAJELLA NATIONAL PARK TRAIL SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY and Majella Massif. wellness centre with whirlpool, sauna, Turkish ITINERARY bath, solarium and massage. A perfect way to Experience the local food and cultural traditions unwind and relax after your days walk. Code: WITSMNP in the restaurant, a hand crafted cave by Days: 7 (5 Days Walking) ancestors gone by providing a unique setting for DAY 4 Nights: 6 Maria’s fine Italian home cooked meal. Overnights: Pretoro (2 nights), Passo Lanciano, Walk from Santo Spirito to Decontra Decontra, Caramanico Terme and Sulmona DAY 2 & short Excursion to San Walk from San Liberatore Abbey to Bartolomeo Hermitage Day Route Km Pretoro Short morning transfer to Santo Spirito, where the day’s walk starts. Today’s highlight is the 1 Arrive Pretoro 0 A short transfer to the start of the day’s walk to surprisingly well camouflaged San Bartolomeo 2 San Liberatore to Pretoro 11.2 the11th century San Liberatore Abbey, one of the Hermitage, clinging to a cliff above a water filled 3 Pretoro to Passo Lanciano 8.5/ oldest and most beautiful of Abruzzo. Visit the 15.7 with amphibians. As you descend on forest trails church and the peaceful surrounding grounds 4 San Spirito to Decontra 10.7 through meadows dotted with stone mounds then walk back to Pretoro. In the afternoon, a 5 Decontra to Carmanico 9 collected by shepherds through the ages, you Terme wildlife activity at the “Grande Faggio” come across the ruins of ancient stone 6 Lama Bianca to Pacentro 10.9 Educational Centre in Pretoro with an expert farmhouses typical of the area. Today’s 7 Onward Travel English speaking local guide. destination is the hamlet of Decontra a charming Dinner at the accommodation. and magical place that seems unaffected by time. DETAILED ITINERARY Walk : 11.2km, 550m ascent, 600m descent Walk : 9km,150m ascent, 350m descent Overnight with dinner: Casa Milà, Pretoro DAY 1 Overnight with dinner: Agriturismo Pietrantica, DAY 3 Arrive in Pretoro Decontra Pescara Airport is the closet to Pretoro however Walk from Pretoro to Passo Located in the small village of Decontra in the Rome Ciampino and Rome Fiumicino are served Lanciano heart of the Majella National park. This by more flights. Morning transfer to the start of the walk to either Abruzzese farm has been carefully restored as a charming guesthouse. Arrive into Pescara or Rome airport and take Colle Tondo or Colle Faggio, (depending on how public transport to Chieti. From Chieti train long you want to walk). The route is well marked It is a place to relax and unwind, to walk and station a private transfer will take you to your although the trail is sometimes hard to see. You enjoy the hospitality and cuisine of Marisa and accommodation in Pretoro. come out on an open plain offering great views of Camillo. the Maielletta Mountains. Overnight in Passo Pretoro is a medieval mountain village on the Lanciano, a small ski hamlet in the beech DAY 5 eastern slope of Majella, close to the Foro river. woods. Walk from Decontra to Caramanico Enjoy a gentle stroll through the charming streets At sunset, you are picked up from the hotel and Terme through the Orfento Valley before sampling your first taste of the regions taken to Piane di Tarica for a wildlife observation Soon after leaving Decontra you plunge into the deep culinary delights. with a local guide. This guided excursion takes and narrow Orfento valley formed by the erosive about 1.5/2 hours. Overnight: Casa Milà, Pretoro action of the river through the millennia, this has Walk : 8.5/15.7km, 650/780m ascent, 100/200m caused the creation of one of the most spectacular Casa Milà is an 18th century building located in areas in the Apennines. the historical centre of Pretoro which has been descent restored to preserve it’s original features. Overnight with dinner La Maielletta, Passo Today you can choose to make a short or long walk Rooms are comfortable and traditionally styled Lanciano along the river before climbing out of the valley at with commanding views across the Abruzzo hills Caramanico Terme, a well known spa town where La Maielletta is a 3 star hotel which boasts a new MAJELLA NATIONAL PARK TRAIL SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY the cold sulfurous waters are used to treat breathing DAY 7 Single Rooms and skin problems. Just after sunset visit the oldest and most successful otter reintroduction program in Departure from Sulmona If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although Italy. With some luck you can see these special, Your holiday finishes after breakfast. Take the there is a single room supplement payable. nocturnal animals as they play on land and in the train or bus to Pescara or Rome water. Meals Walk: 9km,150m ascent, 350m descent TRAVEL INFORMATION A delicious breakfast is included each morning. A Overnight: Hotel Pesco Falcone packed lunch is provided on day 4 and most Additional Nights and Extensions accommodations are happy to provide a packed This family run bed & breakfast is situated in lunch - this should be requested on arrival. Or You can add additional nights at any point along Caramanico Terme, a small hilltop settelement you can pick up lunch in the village or stop along the walk or elsewhere in Italy. between Monte Morrone and Majella Mountains. the trail. Dinner is included on night 3, 4 and 5. All other meals can be taken at either your Recently renovated the owners offer a warm Tailor Made Holidays accommodation or nearby bars, cafes and welcome providing traditional Italian hospitality.