SPINNING A TRAIL

Lush green meadows dotted with wild flowers, rugged mountains iced with a sprinkling of white snow, tumbling grey stones pasted onto the background of a bright blue sky: this is the brilliant palette of the canvas you are about to explore. Immerse yourself into this life-size tableau and zoom in on the marvellous scenery as you hike along the time-worn shepherds’ paths of the Gran Sasso National Park.

This loop itinerary, from the town of Santo Stefano di Sessanio to the castle of Rocca Calascio and back to Santo Stefano di Sessanio via a different route, will lead you to discover some of Abruzzo’s most wonderful landscapes. The hiking portion of this experience lasts approximately four to five hours, including stops. There are no restrooms, bars or restaurants along the trail so we recommend purchasing snacks, sandwiches and water before setting off on your hike. After the trek, before returning to your accommodation, you may enjoy a visit to Santo Stefano di Sessanio.

In the morning your private chauffeur will pick you up at your accommodation and drive you to Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a tiny jewel of a town tucked away in a secluded, stunningly beautiful corner of Abruzzo. Here kick off your day with a hike to the castle of Rocca Calascio. On the trail through pastures and fields, stop to soak up the views of the dramatic rocky massif of Gran Sasso and breathe in the magical atmosphere and peace of the Val Pareta. Along the way, your guide will enrich your experience by filling you in on the history of this territory, allowing you not only to better appreciate the exceptional beauty of the scenery, but also to gain a deeper understanding of how this very landscape has driven and shaped the local economy for centuries.

The value of these ample pastures was – and still is – immense. Abruzzo may well appear less advanced when compared to other, more industrialised Italian regions, but just try picturing life here in the 16th century. Wool was a very important commodity in the days before synthetic fabrics. The uplands and valleys of Campo Imperatore and Piana di Navelli provided a wide oasis where hundreds of thousands of sheep could graze. The powerful, shrewd Florentine Medici rulers must have got wind of a great business opportunity since they decided to purchase this land in 1579, contributing to the growth and prosperity of the nearby towns.

A pleasant, easy hike will bring you to the ruins of a 12th century castle. Does it look familiar? Rocca Calascio’s spectacular location atop a 1460-metre-high mountain and its crumbling walls steeped in history have earned the fortress its rightful place among the fifteen most beautiful castles in the world, according to National Geographic, as well as a star role in the famous 1980s movies Ladyhawke and The Name of the Rose. The views to be admired from here are simply amazing.

Hike back to Santo Stefano di Sessanio and top off your day with a visit to this enchanting town, where time seems to have come to a standstill. Echoes of horses’ hooves and the clang of knights’ swords still resonate across its narrow alleys and quaint piazzette. Swedish millionaire Daniele Kihlgren stumbled upon this almost-deserted village by chance in 1999 during a solitary motorbike trip which proved to be a revelation and a life-changing experience. Struck by the allure of the site and the surprisingly untouched architecture, he drew up a plan to save Santo Stefano from abandonment and decay. Kihlgren financed a restoration project, purchased a number of houses and converted them into a “diffused hotel”, breathing new life into the town.

The past oozes from every stone in Santo Stefano and, while you weave your way along the streets, up and down steps, under ancient archways, you will pick up the threads of its history as well as a glimpse of the customs of its small, but lively, community. Not to be missed are the gateway to the old town bearing the Medici coat of arms, the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo with its elegant loggia and the artisan stores selling woollen goods and gastronomic specialities.

Your private chauffeur will drive you back to your accommodation in the afternoon.