MAJELLA NATIONAL PARK TRAIL — SELF GUIDED WALKING

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

saffron and fruity olive oil are essential in every day cooking. Scrippelle (savoury filled crêpes) and

Pastuccia, a polenta stew with sausage, eggs, and cheese are firm favourites however one of the most

prominent dishes of the region is maccheroni alla chitarra (guitar pasta), made from a flat rolling pin on a

wooden box with strings (hence the name). The pasta is served with a tomato based sauce, often flavoured

with pork, goose or lamb washed down with a glass of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.

Your holiday includes six nights accommodation in family run three star hotels and cosy agriturismo, whom

are well known for their warm and welcoming hospitality and cuisine. Luggage transfer, emergency support,

detailed route notes and maps are all included so you can just relax and enjoy the walking, food and wine of

Abruzzo.

Exploring the mountainous wilderness of the Majella National Park

Rural Abruzzo dotted with medieval villages, castles and churches

Ancient San Liberatore Abbey

Authentic flavours of the regional produce, fine wines and olive oils

Warm and welcoming hospitality of the locals

WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY WITH US?

Macs Adventure specialise in great value self guided walking holidays. As passionate and regular walkers

we know what makes for an unforgettable trip and we pride ourselves on delivering outstanding walking

holidays with every last detail taken care of. Great walking routes, breathtaking scenery and warm, good

food and welcoming accommodation are all part of our winning formula.

From your first contact with Macs Adventure you will deal with a specialist who knows Italy inside out. They

help you plan every aspect of your holiday and to make the most of your time in the Majella National Park.

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.

SUMMARY

What’s Included?

Accommodation: 6 Nights accommodation

in small 3 star hotels and agriturismo.

Meals: A delicious breakfast is included

each day. Lunch is not included but always

available at your accommodation or nearby.

Dinner is included on night 2,3 and 4

Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door

baggage transfer.

Transfers: Day1 2,3,4 and 6

Information Pack: Detailed route notes, maps and emergency phone support.

Tour: The Majella National Park Trail

Code:WITSMNP

Type: Self-Guided Walking Holiday

Price: See Website

Single Supplement: See Website

Dates: June – Early November

Walking Days: 5 Days

Nights: 6 Nights

Start/Finish: Pretoro/Sulmona

Grade: Easy to Moderate

Closest Airport: Pescara/Rome

HIGHLIGHTS Is It For Me?

A perfect walk for those with an for apprecia-

tion for unspoilt rural landscapes, wildlife and

strong local cultural traditions all of which are

complemented by the fine gastronomy of the

Abruzzo region.

MAJELLA NATIONAL PARK TRAIL

SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY

Code: WITSMNP Days: 7 (5 Days Walking) Nights: 6

Overnights: Pretoro (2 nights), Passo Lanciano,

Decontra, Caramanico Terme and Sulmona

DAY 1

Arrive in Pretoro

Pescara Airport is the closet to Pretoro however

Rome Ciampino and Rome Fiumicino are served

by more flights.

Arrive into Pescara or Rome airport and take

public transport to Chieti. From Chieti train

station a private transfer will take you to your

accommodation in Pretoro.

Pretoro is a medieval mountain village on the

eastern slope of Majella, close to the Foro river.

Enjoy a gentle stroll through the charming streets

before sampling your first taste of the regions

culinary delights.

Overnight: Casa Milà, Pretoro

Casa Milà is an 18th century building located in the historical centre of Pretoro which has been restored to preserve it’s original features.

Rooms are comfortable and traditionally styled

with commanding views across the Abruzzo hills

and Majella Massif.

Experience the local food and cultural traditions

in the restaurant, a hand crafted cave by

ancestors gone by providing a unique setting for

Maria’s fine Italian home cooked meal.

DAY 2

Walk from San Liberatore Abbey to

Pretoro

A short transfer to the start of the day’s walk to

the11th century San Liberatore Abbey, one of the

oldest and most beautiful of Abruzzo. Visit the

church and the peaceful surrounding grounds

then walk back to Pretoro. In the afternoon, a

wildlife activity at the “Grande Faggio”

Educational Centre in Pretoro with an expert

English speaking local guide.

Dinner at the accommodation.

Walk : 11.2km, 550m ascent, 600m descent

Overnight with dinner: Casa Milà, Pretoro

DAY 3

Walk from Pretoro to Passo

Lanciano

Morning transfer to the start of the walk to either

Colle Tondo or Colle Faggio, (depending on how

long you want to walk). The route is well marked

although the trail is sometimes hard to see. You

come out on an open plain offering great views of

the Maielletta Mountains. Overnight in Passo

Lanciano, a small ski hamlet in the beech

woods.

At sunset, you are picked up from the hotel and

taken to Piane di Tarica for a wildlife observation

with a local guide. This guided excursion takes

about 1.5/2 hours.

Walk : 8.5/15.7km, 650/780m ascent, 100/200m

descent

Overnight with dinner La Maielletta, Passo

Lanciano

La Maielletta is a 3 star hotel which boasts a new

wellness centre with whirlpool, sauna, Turkish

bath, solarium and massage. A perfect way to

unwind and relax after your days walk.

DAY 4

Walk from Santo Spirito to Decontra & short Excursion to San

Bartolomeo Hermitage

Short morning transfer to Santo Spirito, where

the day’s walk starts. Today’s highlight is the

surprisingly well camouflaged San Bartolomeo

Hermitage, clinging to a cliff above a water filled

with amphibians. As you descend on forest trails

through meadows dotted with stone mounds

collected by shepherds through the ages, you

come across the ruins of ancient stone

farmhouses typical of the area. Today’s

destination is the hamlet of Decontra a charming

and magical place that seems unaffected by

time.

Walk : 9km,150m ascent, 350m descent

Overnight with dinner: Agriturismo Pietrantica,

Decontra

Located in the small village of Decontra in the

heart of the Majella National park. This

Abruzzese farm has been carefully restored as a

charming guesthouse.

It is a place to relax and unwind, to walk and

enjoy the hospitality and cuisine of Marisa and

Camillo.

DAY 5

Walk from Decontra to Caramanico

Terme through the Orfento Valley

Soon after leaving Decontra you plunge into the deep

and narrow Orfento valley formed by the erosive

action of the river through the millennia, this has

caused the creation of one of the most spectacular

areas in the Apennines.

Today you can choose to make a short or long walk

along the river before climbing out of the valley at

Caramanico Terme, a well known spa town where

ITINERARY

Day Route Km

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Arrive Pretoro San Liberatore to Pretoro Pretoro to Passo Lanciano San Spirito to Decontra Decontra to Carmanico Terme Lama Bianca to Pacentro Onward Travel

0 11.2 8.5/ 15.7 10.7

9

10.9

DETAILED ITINERARY

MAJELLA NATIONAL PARK TRAIL

SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY

the cold sulfurous waters are used to treat breathing

and skin problems. Just after sunset visit the oldest

and most successful otter reintroduction program in

Italy. With some luck you can see these special,

nocturnal animals as they play on land and in the

water.

Walk: 9km,150m ascent, 350m descent

Overnight: Hotel Pesco Falcone

This family run bed & breakfast is situated in

Caramanico Terme, a small hilltop settelement

between Monte Morrone and Majella Mountains.

Recently renovated the owners offer a warm

welcome providing traditional Italian hospitality.

DAY 6

Walk from Lama Bianca to Pacentro

via the San Leonardo Pass

A short transfer takes you to Lama Bianca where

the day’s walk to Pacentro starts. The walk is a

gradual climb dominated by the spectacular

views of and from the Morrone Mountain that sits

majestically behind Caramanico Terme. Walking

through forest trails and mountain pastures,

enjoy the great views of the soaring peaks of the

Majella massif, the Gran Sasso (2800mt), the

highest mountain outside the Italian Alps and the

Monti della Laga.

Once over the San Leonardo Pass, a steep

descent down to the tower of the medieval village

of Pacentro that offers great views on the

mountains of the Abruzzo National Park and the

town of Sulmona. In Pacentro, take the local bus

to the bustling small art city of Sulmona.

Walk: 10.9m, 150 ascent, 900m descent

Overnight: Hotel Stella

Set inside the Medieval walls of the city of

Sulmona, the hotel has been recently

restructured, with particular attention paid to the

characteristics of the building’s traditional

architecture.

DAY 7

Departure from Sulmona

Your holiday finishes after breakfast. Take the

train or bus to Pescara or Rome

Additional Nights and Extensions

You can add additional nights at any point along

the walk or elsewhere in Italy.

Tailor Made Holidays

We are always more than happy to tailor our

standard itineraries to suit. Just let us know what

you would like and we will be happy to arrange

your tailor made holiday.

Grade & Fitness

This walking tour is graded moderate. Moderate

day walks, 4-5 hours per day on hilly to

mountainous areas using well maintained,

sometimes stony paths.

Navigation

Some of the walks on this trip are way marked

but many are not and you will need to follow the

route notes and maps supplied.

Accommodation

The accommodation on this walk is a

combination of charming family run three star

hotels in the larger towns and cosy and friendly

agriturismo in the countryside. Many are

renowned for their excellent cuisine and all offer

a warm welcome to walkers, traditional

hospitality and an authentic experience.

Alternate accommodation

During high season, or when your stay falls on a

closing day, you might be booked into a different

accommodation which is not listed in the

description. Any alternative accommodation will

be of the same or better standard as those

described.

Single Rooms

If you require single rooms within your party we

would be happy to accommodate you although

there is a single room supplement payable.

Meals

A delicious breakfast is included each morning. A

packed lunch is provided on day 4 and most

accommodations are happy to provide a packed

lunch - this should be requested on arrival. Or

you can pick up lunch in the village or stop along

the trail. Dinner is included on night 3, 4 and 5.

All other meals can be taken at either your

accommodation or nearby bars, cafes and

restaurants.

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred between your

accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask

you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to

20kg per person.

Transfers

A local taxi transfer is included on arrival in Chieti

to Pretoro for your first nights accommodation.

Transfers are also included on day 2,3,4 and 6

Equipment

Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.

Getting to Pretoro (Chieti)

By Air—Pescara is the closest airport and is

served by Ryanair from London Stansted. Rome

Fiumicino and Rome Ciampino are served by

many more airlines but the journey time by public

transport is at least 3 to 4 hours.

Pescara airport is connected to the centre of

Pescara (4km) by ARPA (Regional Public Bus

Abruzzo) Take the bus to Pescara train station

and then a train to Chieti Scalo.

HOLIDAY INFORMATION

MAJELLA NATIONAL PARK TRAIL

SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY

TRAVEL INFORMATION

From Rome Fiumicino & Ciampino airport

Prontobus offer a service to Chieti (limited

service). Timetables and fares can be viewed at

Pronto Bus

Alternatively take the train to Rome Termini train

station and then a train to Chieti Scalo. Fares

and timetables can be viewed at Trenitalia

From Sulmona (End of Trip)

Trenitlia offers frequent services to the centre of

Pescara and Rome. Fares and availability can

be viewed at Trenitalia

Pronto Bus provides a limited service from

Sulmona to both Rome Ciampino and Fiumicino

airports.

Price & Availability

Please refer to our website for up to date prices.

This trip is available from June to early

November.

Included

Accommodation for 6 nights in 3 star hotels and agriturismo.

6 breakfasts

Dinner on night 2(drinks included), 3(drinks excluded) and 4 (drinks included)

Packed lunch on day 4

Daily luggage transport of 1 bag of up to 20kg per person as required.

Transfer from Chieti Scalo Train Station to Pretoro on arrival

Transfers on days 2,3,4 and 6

Afternoon wildlife activity with an expert English speaking local guide on day 2

Wildlife observation at sunset with an expert English speaking local guide on day 3

Detailed route descriptions and pre departure information pack

Maps of the walks

24-hour assistance by phone

Excluded

Flights

Travel to Chieti/from Sulmona

Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks (unless specified above)

Travel insurance

Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.

Any items not specifically mentioned in the program

Optional Extras

Single room supplement(s) if applicable

Private airport transfers

Additional nights during the holiday.

Once you have read all the information in this

factsheet or on our website and decided on your

preferred itinerary, visit our website or give us a

call to confirm availability. You can then book by

Book Securely Online: www.macsadventure.com

or phone: +44 (0) 141 530 8886

Financial Security

In accordance with "The Package Travel,

Package Holidays and Package Tours

Regulations1992" all passengers booking with

Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the

initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all

monies paid to us, including repatriation if

required (this insurance will not cover repatriation

to the country of origin for the passengers

outside of the EU), arising from cancellation or

curtailment of your travel arrangements due to

the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd

ABTA Member Statement

Macs Adventure

Holidays is a Member of

ABTA. ABTA and ABTA

Members help

holidaymakers to get the most from their travel

and assist when things don’t go according to

plan. We are obliged to maintain a high standard

of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct.

For more information on ABTA, the Code of

Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to

you if you have a complaint, contact ABTA, 30

Park Street, London SE1 9EQ, tel 020 3117

0581 www.abta.com

HOW TO BOOK

PRICE & AVAILABILITY

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

MAJELLA NATIONAL PARK TRAIL

SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY