Exploring the “Little Tibet” of Abruzzo: Campo Imperatore’s Nature and History Await
A glacial plateau stretching 27 kilometers between 1500 and 2100 meters of altitude at the foot of the Gran Sasso in the province of L’Aquila, Campo Imperatore is a popular destination both in winter and summer. With the first snow of late autumn, the facilities of one of the main ski resorts in central and southern Italy become active, while during the summer season, hundreds of enthusiasts of trekking, mountaineering, and mountain biking gather on the mountain slopes. Additionally, Campo Imperatore, known since the 16th century as Campo Radduro, is a destination every year for amateur astronomers who, through the astronomical observatory or their own equipment, have the chance to explore the sky away from annoying light sources in complete relaxation.
Coming from the A24 highway or L’Aquila, about 2 kilometers past Assergi is Fonte Cerreto, a small tourist resort from the 1930s that is the ideal gateway to the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. From here, the cable car departs, taking you from the 1125 meters of the departure station up to 2130 meters of Campo Imperatore, where the plateau opens up in all its splendor to the amazed eyes of tourists. Despite the mere 7-minute ride, the cable car climbs over a thousand meters and offers an excellent opportunity to admire the mountainside. Updated rates for summer 2012 are 7 € for a one-way ride and 11 € for a round trip.
Driving to Campo Imperatore
The alternative is by car, driving about 30 kilometers along state road 17 bis immersed in nature. The first stretch is surrounded by woods of ash, elm, and maple, but even before the left turn that you need to take to avoid continuing towards Pescara and the Adriatic coast, the flora becomes sparser, and the mountain becomes barren. From here on, the road winds through large rocky ravines almost devoid of trees and dotted with a few small lakes. For several kilometers, you won’t encounter any human settlement, and the only passersby are herds of cows, sheep, and horses grazing on the brushwood. The views are the same as those featured in numerous films, which have chosen Campo Imperatore as their backdrop. Keep in mind that in winter, snow falls heavily, making the road often challenging to use.
Winter in Campo Imperatore: The Skiers’ Kingdom
In winter, Campo Imperatore becomes a paradise for skiers: once you reach the top with the cable car from Fonte del Cerreto, you have access to 10 blue and red runs and a Snow Park, served by 4 ski lifts and two four-seater chairlifts, but the resort is also famous for its off-piste runs, with abundant and high-quality snow. Notable is the run called Aquila Bianca, which can be accessed using the Scindarella chairlift, while more experienced skiers can attempt the technical off-piste descent of Valle Fredda.
The Historic Charm of Campo Imperatore
At 2130 meters above sea level, the Church of Madonna della Neve and the Hotel Campo Imperatore stand alongside the cable car arrival station. Built in 1934, the building made headlines in August 1943, when Benito Mussolini was imprisoned here for a short period (28 August – 12 September) before being freed in a spectacular operation by the Luftwaffe. For those nostalgic or simply curious, there is an opportunity to visit Mussolini’s room for 2 €, while everyone can enjoy the friendly staff, as well as the rooms, which may not be the latest style, but are undoubtedly comfortable after a tiring day of trekking or skiing. In front of the hotel, you’ll also find the astronomical observatory (featuring a 1.1-meter diameter telescope), which was part of the CINEOS international program from 2001 to 2004 and led to the discovery of 61,000 asteroids and 1,500 new objects, as well as the Vincenzo Rivera Alpine Botanical Garden.
Trekking and Hiking Trails
From here, numerous trekking trails of varying difficulty start. The half-hour walk that separates the hotel from the Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi is little more than a simple stroll; the refuge, at an altitude of 2380 meters, offers a panoramic view of the Maone Valley and splendid glimpses of Corno Grande. This latter represents the endpoint of a highly spectacular trek in terms of landscapes, demanding enough but accessible to everyone. Once you reach your destination, at over 2900 meters above sea level, the view opens up 360° on all the other peaks of the Gran Sasso, the Adriatic Sea, and other Apennine massifs such as the Sibillini Mountains or the Maiella. For the more experienced, some rock faces are suitable for mountaineering, while some lower altitude sections are ideal for mountain biking.
Climate and Best Time to Visit Campo Imperatore
The climate of Campo Imperatore is influenced by its high altitude, so in summer, the temperature is about ten degrees lower compared to the areas in the valley. Summer highs reach an average of 15°C, while morning lows are around 8°C. Winter highs are around -1 / -2°C, with lows often below -6°C. The rainiest months are the autumn ones, with peaks of precipitation in September and October, when over 100 mm of rain falls each month.