Trekking on Corno Grande - Gran Sasso d'Italia - 2914 m

Scarica il file GPX Mappa in PDF GPXsee per i file GPX

Ascent from Campo Imperatore to Corno Grande (Normal Route)

The ascent from Campo Imperatore to Corno Grande is one of the most iconic routes of the Gran Sasso: a demanding yet spectacular itinerary, suitable for experienced hikers with a steady footing in high‑mountain terrain.

Starting point

Location: Campo Imperatore (approx. 2,130 m)
Access: Cable car from Fonte Cerreto or road (in summer), near Hotel Campo Imperatore and the Observatory.

Main technical data

Summit	Corno Grande (2,912 m)
Elevation gain	approx. 780 m
Distance (round trip)	7–8 km
Ascent time	3 h – 3 h 30’
Descent time	2 h – 2 h 30’
Difficulty	EE – Experienced hikers	In winter, snowshoes are prohibited due to the steep slopes
Terrain	Mountain trail, rocky sections, steep and unstable scree
Exposure	Moderate in some sections, especially in the upper part

Route description

From the Campo Imperatore square, follow the trail leading toward the Sella di Monte Aquila, with wide views over the plateau. Continue in the direction of the Calderone Basin, overlooking the slope that once hosted the glacier (now greatly reduced).

The final section climbs over steep scree and rocky steps, with a few passages where the use of hands is needed for balance. The summit of Corno Grande offers an exceptional panorama over the Gran Sasso range, the Maiella, the Velino–Sirente massif and, on the clearest days, even the Adriatic Sea.

Critical points and cautions

Loose scree: requires a steady and secure step, especially on the descent.
Strong winds: the ridge and summit are often very exposed.
Snow and ice: possible until early summer and again at the end of the season.
Weather: sudden storms are possible; starting with a stable forecast is essential.
Crowds: very popular on summer weekends.

Main variants

Direttissima Route (EEA): steeper and more exposed, with sections requiring no fear of heights and excellent experience; not suitable for beginners.
Brecciaio Route: a longer and less crowded alternative, in a wilder and more rugged environment.

Recommended equipment

Footwear: trekking boots with good grip.
Clothing: layered, with windproof/rainproof jacket.
Trekking poles: useful on scree sections.
Helmet: recommended due to possible rockfall in the upper section.
Water and food: no water sources along the route.
Navigation: GPS/GPX track and hiking map.

Technical Sheet – Corno Grande (Normal Route)
Starting point	Campo Imperatore – 2,130 m
Summit	Corno Grande – 2,912 m
Elevation gain	approx. 780 m
Distance (round trip)	7–8 km
Ascent time	3 h – 3 h 30’
Descent time	2 h – 2 h 30’
Difficulty	EE – Experienced hikers
Exposure	Moderate in some sections
Terrain	Trail, rocky steps, steep scree
Recommended season	June – September
Equipment	Boots, trekking poles, helmet recommended, layered clothing

The ascent to Corno Grande, the highest peak of the Gran Sasso and the Apennines, is divided into two alternative routes: the “Direttissima”, which requires specific preparation and is suitable only for experienced hikers, and the “Normal Route”, less difficult but still demanding.
Route type: Trekking for experienced hikers (Difficulty EE – Intermediate/Expert)
Hiking time: to the summit approx. 3:30 h uphill
Starting point: parking area of the Campo Imperatore hotel.
A map is recommended
Pets not allowed

View the map online

Scorri il menù

Travelling through Abruzzo, today we are heading to Corno Grande, in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park

Find a hotel nearby Calculate the route

Travelling through Abruzzo, today we are heading to Corno Grande on the Gran Sasso d’Italia, right in the heart of the national park. It’s a fantastic day: the sky is blue, the sun is shining and the air is still. Perfect weather for climbing to the top. Because even though it’s August, at that altitude (over 2,000 metres and up to nearly 3,000) it can still be cold if the wind picks up or the sun disappears. But today is absolutely ideal.

There are two ways to reach the summit:

the “Direttissima”, which however requires some experience because there are difficult sections (at least that’s what they say — I’ve never taken it myself… after all, more than once they’ve had to rescue someone by helicopter who got “stuck” on that route!)

the “Normal Route”, which is longer and gentler (not that it’s a walk in the park, to be clear) and more or less suitable for everyone.

We obviously choose the second one.

We start from the parking area near the Campo Imperatore hotel and begin climbing. The first 10 minutes are really tough. The slope is steep and straight, and since we’ve just arrived and are still cold, we struggle to “catch our breath”. We know that things will get better soon, but the first few metres are always a bit traumatic. As expected, after a bit more uphill walking toward Monte Aquila, the effort seems to ease, especially when the long‑awaited flat section arrives. In reality, it’s a continuous series of gentle ups and downs, nothing too steep. This is a truly wonderful moment: following the trail is not difficult at all, and we can relax, admire the stunning landscape around us, and stop to take some photos. Valle Pericoli reveals itself in all its splendour. But of course, we’re climbing a mountain, and the path can’t stay this easy forever.

We start climbing again, and at some points we even need to use our hands to get past slightly more difficult passages. All in all, though, it’s really enjoyable! We’re more than halfway when suddenly the trail seems to disappear in front of me. Where do we go now? Next to us is a rocky wall… and Ale says, “We go up here” (pointing at the wall)… the usual joker… except he’s not joking this time. I look up and see lots of people climbing above us. So he wasn’t kidding, huh? Well, we’re only a few hundred metres from the top — no way we’re giving up now! We start climbing too. The environment has changed dramatically. We’ve left behind the green flowering meadows and now we’re on bare rock. No vegetation here. Only the imposing mountain and, to our left, Corno Piccolo rising majestically. It’s exhausting! Finally, we get past the wall and reach the top of the ridge. On the other side, the mountain drops almost vertically, and we can admire the glacier. For me, this is the most impressive point: the view is majestic and beautiful, but also a bit intimidating, and even though the terrain is practically flat, I move very carefully.

Just a few more minutes of walking and we’re there. We’ve reached the summit of Corno Grande! The first thing to do, of course, is admire the view… truly magical and breathtaking. You can see practically all of Abruzzo and beyond. I can see the Adriatic coast and — to my amazement — even the Tyrrhenian coast. Wonderful! We can’t take our eyes off this fairy‑tale landscape, and we immediately forget the effort it took to get here. Naturally, we go wild with the camera. I don’t want to leave. The sun is warm and it feels amazing. But we still have the whole descent ahead of us… time to head back.

Going down is easier. Or is it? That’s debatable. By the hundredth time I slipped on the scree, I told Ale to leave me there and go home alone… but once we got past the first part of the descent, things definitely improved, and we enjoyed the way down just as much as the climb. And here we are, back at the car waiting to take us home… total time? Less than 6 hours — not bad, I’d say.

Points of Interest

Skiing in L’Aquila

Trekking in L’Aquila

Useful Information

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
Vai

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
Vai

Abruzzo weather

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

Abruzzo trail maps

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

Outdoor activities

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

Holiday in Abruzzo

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

Traditional Abruzzese cuisine

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

Experience Abruzzo

Abruzzo’s villages are famous for their fortresses, mountains and the traditional trabocchi along the southern coast
Vai

Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park

One of Italy’s most famous and oldest national parks
Vai

Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park

One of Italy’s wildest parks, with typical Apennine landscapes and Dolomite‑like peaks
Vai

Velino‑Sirente Regional Park

Located in the heart of the Apennines, home to the beautiful villages of the Rocche Plateau
Vai

Majella National Park

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

Trekking on Corno Grande - Gran Sasso d'Italia - 2914 m

Ascent from Campo Imperatore to Corno Grande (Normal Route)

Starting point

Main technical data

Route description

Critical points and cautions

Main variants

Recommended equipment

3‑Day Trek on the Gran Sasso

The Springs of the Vera River

From Pietracamela to Prati di Tivo — Trekking and Ski Mountaineering

From Paganica to Pescomaggiore — Trekking, Mountain Biking and Ski Mountaineering

Madonna Fore — Trekking, Mountain Biking and Ski Mountaineering

The Ascent of Corno Grande

The Hundred Waterfalls (Cento Fonti)

From Fonte Vetica to the Base of Monte Camicia up to the Desiati Bivouac

From Castel del Monte to Campo Imperatore

Trekking and Mountaineering in the Montecristo Area — L'Aquila

Skiing in Abruzzo – snow report

Webcams in Abruzzo

Abruzzo weather

Abruzzo trail maps

Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park

Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park

Velino‑Sirente Regional Park

Majella National Park

Experience Abruzzo

Holiday in Abruzzo

Traditional Abruzzese cuisine

Outdoor activities

Travelling through Abruzzo, today we are heading to Corno Grande, in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park

Skiing in L’Aquila

Trekking in L’Aquila

Useful Information

Skiing in Abruzzo – snow report

Webcams in Abruzzo

Abruzzo weather

Abruzzo trail maps

Outdoor activities

Holiday in Abruzzo

Traditional Abruzzese cuisine

Experience Abruzzo

Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park

Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park

Velino‑Sirente Regional Park

Majella National Park