Route description
The tour starts off in the village Prati di Tivo. Follow a little gravel path to the left behind the Hotel “Prati di Tivo” into a piece of woodland. You'll be reaching a mountain ridge that separates the village from the valley of the Arno river. Hike downhill alongside rock faces of the Corno Piccolo mountain to get to the waterfall of the Rio Arno.
Now, the tour starts leading your way up the mountain side and outside the forest past waterworks. Start following the hiking path marked with the sign CAI 2 through the Intermesoli tier and you'll be reaching the Grotta dell`Oro ( the “grotto of gold”) to your right. Pass the grotto to get to the Valle di Ginepri, or “Juniper-Valley” in English.
Next, the path through the Valle Maone is to follow. Hike to the end of the valley basin and take the path in the direction of the Sella di Grilli to reach the remains of an old shepherd's shelter.
Continue by heading to the left – a parting of the ways will be ahead of you after a short ascent. You have the choice here: You may either turn to the right to the Passo della Portella, where you will pass the Campo Imperatore, a mountain grassland or alpine meadow formed by a high basin, over the Passo del Lupo – or alternatively, you can turn left to get to the Rifugio Garibaldi mountain hut over sinkholes.
Interesting facts
- You shouldn’t forget to bring your hiking boots. There are some sections on the trail where sturdy footwear is required.
Highlights of the tour
The hike leads your way past the natural spectacle that is the waterfall of the Rio Arno and through one of the most beautiful landscapes of the Gran Sasso.
Getting here
By car
Reach the starting point of the tour by car over the SS80 from Teramo, or over the A24 and the SS150 coming from the south.
Turn onto the SP43 from both directions and stay on this road until you reach a roundabout. Take the second exit here.
