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Pescasseroli · 1167 m a.s.l.

In the heart of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, Pescasseroli offers nature, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing and outdoor activities for every season. A complete guide with useful numbers, routes, lifts and information to discover one of the most beautiful villages in Abruzzo.


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Pescasseroli, historic headquarters of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, is one of the most fascinating villages in the Apennines. Hiking, mountaineering, snowshoeing, alpine skiing, ski lifts and useful contacts to enjoy the mountains in every season.



Practical Guide · Abruzzo National Park

Pescasseroli: the green heart of the Park

A mountain village surrounded by ancient beech forests, panoramic trails and wildlife: the ideal base to explore the Abruzzo National Park, Lazio and Molise.

Hiking Families Nature & Wildlife Winter on the Snow
Pescasseroli is the historic headquarters of the National Park

Ideal for long weekends and slow holidays among forests, villages and wildlife watching.

Altitude 1,167 m a.s.l.
Region Abruzzo · L’Aquila
Ideal for Hiking, families, nature
Best period May–October · December–March
Overview

Why choose Pescasseroli

A mountain village combining protected nature, tourist services and a pleasant historic centre enjoyable on foot all year round.

A village in the heart of the Park

Pescasseroli is the “capital” of the Abruzzo National Park, Lazio and Molise: here you’ll find the visitor centre, marked trails, hiking guides and a good selection of accommodation and restaurants.

Who it’s ideal for

  • Hikers of all levels
  • Families with children
  • Nature and wildlife lovers
  • Travellers seeking relaxation
Type of destination
Mountain village
Travel style
Nature, hiking, slow travel
Noise
Quiet
Ideal for
Long weekends
Tip: avoid peak-season weekends to enjoy quieter trails.
What to see

Historic centre and surroundings

A simple walk among alleys, churches, mountain views and nature.

The village

The heart of Pescasseroli is the main street, with cafés, restaurants and small squares.

  • Church of Saints Peter and Paul
  • Stone-built historic centre
  • Evening stroll along the main street

Park Visitor Centre

A reference point for information, maps, regulations and guided activities.

Note: the wildlife area is educational, not a zoo.
Activities

Hiking and nature

Trails for all levels, from meadows to panoramic peaks.

Easy walks

  • Pescasseroli Meadows
  • Short loops in the forest
  • Sunset walks

Intermediate hikes

  • Ascents to surrounding peaks
  • Traverses to nearby villages
  • Snowshoeing in winter
Important: always check Park rules before setting off.
When to go

Seasons and atmosphere

Spring / Summer

Blooming landscapes, ideal climate, perfect trails.

Autumn / Winter

Foliage, snow, cosy atmosphere.

  • High season: August
  • October is very scenic
  • Winter for snowshoeing
Hiking

Hiking in Pescasseroli

Trails immersed in beech forests, views over the Park’s peaks and routes for every level.

Easy routes

Ideal for families, beginners and relaxing nature walks.

  • Pescasseroli Meadows
    Simple loop among meadows and forest edges. Perfect at sunset.
  • Val Fondillo loop (starting section)
    Flat and very scenic stretch, suitable for children.
  • Trail to the Wildlife Centre
    Short walk from the village to the Park Visitor Centre.

Intermediate routes

For those with some fitness who want wider views.

  • Monte Marsicano (intermediate sections)
    Progressive ascent with beautiful views over the valley.
  • Pesco di Lordo Valley
    Varied trail through woods and clearings, lovely in autumn.
  • Pescasseroli – Opi traverse (central section)
    A classic Park itinerary, to be planned with return transport.

Expert routes

Significant elevation gain, exposed sections or routes longer than 5–6 hours.

  • Monte Marsicano (summit)
    One of the Park’s most iconic climbs: long, demanding and spectacular.
  • Monte Petroso
    Ridge itinerary with vast panoramas. Requires excellent fitness.
  • Pescasseroli – Villetta Barrea traverse
    Long and varied route, recommended only for expert hikers.
Important: for expert routes always check weather conditions, snow presence and Park regulations. Official guides are recommended.
Trip to Abruzzo

Pescasseroli, the pearl of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park

A welcoming, elegant village immersed in the most authentic nature.

Village Nature National Park Abruzzo
Travel diary

Our visit to Pescasseroli

While travelling through Abruzzo we visited Pescasseroli. I had never been there before. This part of the region is quite far from where we live, so after a lovely walk in the Park we took the chance to explore this little town I had heard so much about. And I was not disappointed at all.

In fact, it truly is the pearl of the Abruzzo National Park! As soon as we arrive, we park the car along a lovely tree-lined avenue and begin our tour. Never having been here before, we wander around a bit at random, but it’s impossible to get lost and every street is a small treasure. There’s almost no traffic (perhaps because it’s a weekday and many people are at work), so we can stroll around without any problem. Every alley, every square, every garden we come across feels like a work of art.

We stop to photograph everything: a fairytale-like corner with a house completely covered in ivy, a stone alley with ancient houses perfectly restored framing a tiny lane, a statue of a bear at the end of an alley with a sign on it saying “do not sit on the bear”.

The restoration work on the village houses has been done extremely well and the overall impression is perfect. It looks like a postcard. Naturally, all the delightful little streets are dotted with shops selling local products. You could easily buy everything. Unfortunately for us (and fortunately for our wallets) we arrived during the lunch break, so we couldn’t take advantage. But we could still enjoy a coffee!

We walk around a bit more… this village is so welcoming that we feel like staying longer… maybe even a few years! We indulge in the dream of living here. Such peace and tranquillity! But it’s time to leave… luckily the road back is one of the most scenic, with mountains and green valleys, so the return home won’t be too traumatic! But you can come here and maybe even stay overnight. What do you think?

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Explore the heart of the Abruzzo National Park

⛷️ Winter Activities

Skiing in Roccaraso The largest ski area in Central Italy.

🌲 Nature & Hiking

La Camosciara The most famous and protected area of the Park.
Val Di Rose The iconic trail to spot chamois.

🏘️ Villages to Visit

Civitella Alfedena The wolf village overlooking the lake.
Opi & Val Fondillo One of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

📍 Useful Links


Skiing in Abruzzo – snow report

The most popular ski resorts, the updated snow report and useful information on how to find lifts or book accommodation for your winter holiday
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Webcams in Abruzzo

View the webcams in Abruzzo and check real‑time weather conditions. Some webcams belong to www.abruzzoparchi.it, others are located throughout the region
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Abruzzo weather

Weather forecasts for the coming days in Abruzzo. Live weather via our webcams and temperatures recorded in several mountain areas
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Abruzzo trail maps

Maps for trekking, mountain biking, ski touring, running and horse riding. You can also download the GPX track of each route
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Outdoor activities

Walks, diving, climbing, mountain biking, horse riding — all outdoor activities available in Abruzzo
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Holiday in Abruzzo

Choose between sea or mountains, summer or winter, a sporty holiday or a relaxing one — Abruzzo has it all
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Traditional Abruzzese cuisine

Abruzzo is famous for its cuisine, both mountain and coastal, with traditions that vary from area to area
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Experience Abruzzo

Abruzzo’s villages are famous for their fortresses, mountains and the traditional trabocchi along the southern coast
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Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park

One of Italy’s most famous and oldest national parks
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Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park

One of Italy’s wildest parks, with typical Apennine landscapes and Dolomite‑like peaks
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Velino‑Sirente Regional Park

Located in the heart of the Apennines, home to the beautiful villages of the Rocche Plateau
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Majella National Park

One of the snowiest places in Italy, a unique mountain massif rising close to the sea
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