Itinerary: l'Aquila, Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park, Campo Imperatore, Gran Sasso, Corno Grande
Campo Imperatore in Gran Sasso and Mount Laga National Park
"Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park" (Gran Sasso and Mount Laga National Park) is the third biggest national park in Italy, and it was established in 1991. It consists of two mountain groups, the mountains of Gran Sasso d'Italia and the group of Monti della Laga (Mount Laga) (both part of Central Apennines), and it is mainly located in the region of Abruzzo, although bordering with Lazio and Marche.
The national park is divided into 11 districts featuring mostly mountains, but also valleys, forests, and waterfalls. It is home to a great variety of flora and fauna and, for this reason, it is a real paradise for nature lovers. You can find and discover tens of species of plants and flowers, such as the beautiful and protected gentian and edelweiss on Gran Sasso, and countless species of mammals, birds, and insects.
"Monti della Laga", with rounded peaks, occupy the northern part of the national park while in the south there is Gran Sasso, whose appearance recalls the Dolomites thanks to its rugged and steep peaks. Corno Grande, 2914 meters above sea level is the most important and highest peak.
On the northern side of Corno Grande, you can admire a wonderful glacier called Calderone, which is known to be the southernmost glacier in Europe. It is the only surviving glacier on the Apennines, and it is likely to retain ancient geological fossils underneath.
The southern side of this beautiful national park is marked by Campo Imperatore, a wide valley of glacial and karst origin. This wonderful plateau is located in the province of L'Aquila, in Abruzzo, 1800 meters above sea level. It is nothing you can find elsewhere: its particular topography, made of gentle mountains and steppes covered with wild meadows, makes it a unique scenery where to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. For all these nature-related reasons, the plateau is also known as "the little Tibet of Italy".
Its beauty and the particular characteristics of the environment make this valley a perfect location for many 'spaghetti westerns', but also for a lot of movies, video clips, and commercials.
But, it is also an ideal destination for those who love practicing outdoor sports, especially skiing and other winter sports in winter, or trekking, biking, and horse-riding in summer.
There are also some attractions to visit, such as the Monument of Fonte Vetica, the Church of Madonna della Neve, and the Botanical Alpine Garden. If you are an astronomy enthusiast, this secluded and far-from-pollution plateau, which also features a planetarium, is the perfect destination for you!
More tour: Verona - Campo Imperatore a motorcycle tour in the Apennines
Departure: l'Aquila
Arrival: Corno Grande
Length: Km 39
Some pictures along the Campo Imperatore in Gran Sasso and Mount Laga National Park Tour: