2.9KStuart Haines’ fabulous second edition pocket-sized ‘Walking in Abruzzo’ guidebook leads the way in making Abruzzo accessible and enjoyable for even the novice walker.The 40 seasonal day-walks through the Maiella, and Gran Sasso national parks and the Sirente-Velino regional park are circular, the importance of which can’t be over-emphasised in Abruzzo. Although many of the areas are impressive, the smaller hamlets can be remote and have 2 buses a day! It’s also somewhat reassuring to have these all available as a GPS download link.I loved the handy English language translations of walking vocab that helped make sense and bring alive some of the places we visit… ditch/valley isn’t one of those words that you learn normally as a non-Italian but ‘fossa’ explains the town that sits beneath one of our favourite ruined castles, Ocre, to walk from.Each of the walks lists time, difficulty and terrain (low & high) with detailed directions, map and good points of interest that should please nature lovers and culture vultures on the lookout for hidden frescoes along the way. That low and high route spread thankfully takes into account those like me whose love of heights can be somewhat overwhelmed in Abruzzo as well taking into account fitness, plus catering for those seeking a gentle morning’s amble or ramble.Abruzzo walks include: A walk of contrastsThe Maiella National ParkWalk 1 Fara San Martino gorge and Val ServieraWalk 2 The hermitage of San Bartolomeo di LegioWalk 3 Monte Morrone from Passo San LeonardoWalk 4 Morrone di Pacentro and Monte MiletoWalk 5 The Orfento valleyWalk 6 Caramanico and the Orfento gorgeWalk 7 Monte Amaro from Lama BianchaWalk 8 Monte Amaro from La MaiellettaWalk 9 Monte Amaro from Fonte RomanaWalk 10 The Alento valley above SerramonacescaWalk 11 Monte Porrara ridgeCorno Grande and Campo ImperatoreWalk 12 Monte Prena and Monte CamiciaWalk 13 Santo Stefano and Rocca CalascioWalk 14 The west summit of Corno GrandeWalk 15 The east summit of Corno GrandeWalk 16 Campo Pericoli and Pizzo CefaloneWalk 17 Monte Bolza ridgeWalk 18 Pietracamela and Prati di TivoWalk 19 Monte Corvo and the Val Chiarino Monti Della LagaWalk 20 Monte di Mezzo circuit from CampotostoWalk 21 Cima della Laghetta and Monte GorzanoThe Abruzzo National ParkWalk 22 Villetta Barrea and Civitella AlfedenaWalk 23 The Val di RoseWalk 24 Monte La Meta and the Mainarde crestWalk 25 La TerrattaWalk 26 The Scanno town and lake loopWalk 27 Serra del Campitello and Monte GodiWalk 28 Monte MarsicanoWalk 29 Colli Alti and Bassi from PescasseroliSulmona Valley and Monte GenzanaWalk 30 Anversa degli Abruzzi and CastrovalvaWalk 31 Monte Mattone from Pettorano sul GizioWalk 32 Monte Genzana from Pettorano sul GizioWalk 33 A tour of the Valle del GizioThe Sirente-Velino Regional ParkWalk 34 Monte SirenteWalk 35 The Celano gorge via Fonte degli InnamoratiWalk 36 Monte VelinoWalk 37 Monte OcreWalk 38 Fontecchio and Pagliare di TioneWalk 39 The Navelli plainThe Simbruini Regional ParkWalk 40 Monte ViglioDo buy a copy ready to try a bit of walking in Abruzzo, Stuart’s commentary is relaxed and descriptive, his complementary photographs help bring alive the walks encouraging you to go go go. Abruzzo is an excellent region for exploring by foot at a rambler or hiking pace, something the Italians (along with the Dutch, Germans & Scandiwegians) have known it seems since time begun. However, despite the wonderful hiking opportunities Abruzzo offers it is not always easy to get information directly in the region; often park tourism offices are closed, and official website info & maps do not clearly indicate how to find or begin the walks in question.Buy Walking in Abruzzo on AmazonSulmona Valley WalksDo also check out his new website Sulmona Valley Walks. Stuart went out with other local guides in the Peligna Valley and to map the routes and he has published 25 of the walks in English on this website. They offer a wide choice across the grades that are available for download now (one for free!).If you fancy using Stuart as your guide you could consider going and staying at Casa La Rocca and sample the organic wines that he and his partner create from their vineyards or perhaps, if you’re lucky, the cider that they are going to start from their orchards this year! Author: Sam DunhamSam is a very lucky midlife 'mamma' to A who is 13 and juggles her working as a freelance SEO copywriter & teaches IGCSEs at Istituo Cristo Re in Rome. She is the founder of the Life In Abruzzo Cultural Association, co-founder of Let's Blog Abruzzo and 'English in the Woods' initiative.Protecting Abruzzo’s Charm,Empowering Generations to Come:Grow Life in Abruzzo!Support our not-for-profit cultural association via GoFundMe Donate now FREE NEWSLETTER Leave this field empty if you're human: