Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park National Park

Address: Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park, Abruzzo region, Italy

Website: https://www.gransassolagapark.it

Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park is a large protected area in central Italy established to conserve the Gran Sasso massif and the Monti della Laga range. It contains the highest peaks of the Apennines and diverse alpine and subalpine environments.

Key visitor highlights include summit routes to Corno Grande at 2,912 metres, the expansive Campo Imperatore plateau, and glacial features such as the Calderone glacier. The park offers hiking, mountaineering, alpine meadows, and winter sport opportunities across a wide elevation range.

The park was established to protect the Apennine landscapes and endemic species and has since supported conservation, scientific monitoring, and regulated recreational use. Infrastructure for visitors ranges from refuges and marked trails to interpretive points in accessible valleys.

Geographically the park spans parts of Abruzzo and neighbouring regions in central Italy, dominated by the Gran Sasso massif and adjacent ranges; it sits inland from the Adriatic coast in mountainous terrain.

• Mountain safety: Alpine weather can change rapidly; many trails involve steep elevation gain so check mountain forecasts and carry appropriate gear. Snow can persist at high elevations outside winter months.
• Scale and terrain: The park covers territories across multiple regions and includes a mix of alpine peaks, plateaus, and forested valleys, offering varied trail grades from day hikes to technical climbs.

What to See#

• Corno Grande (Corno Grande summit): Corno Grande, the park’s highest summit, reaches 2,912 metres and includes the Gran Sasso massif’s main ridge and the steep north-facing walls used for alpine climbing.
• Campo Imperatore plateau: Campo Imperatore, a high plateau at about 1,500-1,900 metres elevation, is known for wide panoramas, pastoral landscapes, and access routes for hikers and skiers.
• Calderone glacier: The Calderone glacier situated in a cirque below Corno Grande is one of the southernmost glaciers in Europe and has been the subject of scientific monitoring for glacial retreat.

The park is accessible by road from L’Aquila, Teramo and Ascoli Piceno. Campo Imperatore is reached via the SR80 from L’Aquila; train and bus services connect L’Aquila to Rome and other regional cities-local buses run into park towns seasonally.

• Plan routes carefully-the park covers a large area that includes high-altitude trails and remote valleys.
• Summer is the main trekking season; some refuges open seasonally so check availability before setting out.
• Visit the Gran Sasso massif early in the morning for clearer mountain views and to avoid afternoon storms common in high mountains.