Adriatic: The best hiking trails for your holidays!
The Mediterranean climate of the Italian Adriatic coast makes the Mediterranean region a dream destination for active nature lovers all year round. The north around Venice and Trieste promises perfect conditions for excursions into the picturesque nature with four-legged companions in the summer. But also in the south, down to the Italian "heel," wonderful hiking opportunities open up.
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Adriatic - 8 special hiking trails
Conero Crossing (Conero Loop)
Monte Conero has been designated as a nature reserve since 1987 and tells its story on various tours through breathtaking landscapes. The Traversata del Conero (Conero Circuit) begins and ends in Poggio San Antonio with its 8.3 kilometers. The tour can be hiked in about four hours with good fitness. A highlight is the view over the Bay of Portonovo. After about an hour of hiking, you can choose between two further paths, one of which takes a small detour past Casa Lucignani. The tour can also be combined with a visit to the Church of St. Pietro and the monastery ruins.
From Altino to Monte Banditello
Monte Banditello is one of the smaller Sibillini Mountains. Nevertheless, it is a popular excursion destination because from here you have a wonderful view of the surrounding peaks, forests, and the sea. The ascent is easy to moderately difficult, and the entire hike takes about five and a half hours. Your hike begins in Altino, a part of the municipality of Montemonaco. The path winds in switchbacks up to Prati di Altino. From here, the road continues to rise to an intersection and leads to Cima dell Prata and finally to Monte Banditello.
Plain of Castelluccio
With a hike of about 6 kilometers per route, you reach the plateau of Casteluccio. The hike is considered moderately difficult, requiring a good basic fitness level, and is estimated to take three and a half hours. From the parking lot, it goes over the Piana di Castelluccio to the plateau. The plateau is a karstic floodplain and a natural paradise. During the flowering season between May and June, the plateau transforms into a unique sea of flowers, framed by the gentle hills of the neighboring mountains. After enjoying the panorama, you head back. This leads towards Colle Curina, past Colle Moretta and La Rotonda, back to the starting point.
Sibilla Refuge
In the southeastern part of the national park is Monte Sibilla. The mountain is named after the Apennine Sibyl, one of ten ancient seeresses who is said to have settled near the summit. Follow in her footsteps and explore this region of Italy on the Rifugio Sibilla hike. You can conveniently start the 8.2-kilometer mountain tour with a bus ride from Montemonaco. Pause here and there during the ascent and discover unique nature: the birds native to Monte Sibilla are particularly interesting for amateur ornithologists. The views on this hike are always breathtaking.
From Assergi to the summit of Gran Sasso
A popular starting point for a hike on the Gran Sasso is the town of Assergi. In the north of the Gran Sasso National Park is Lake Lago di Campotosto, which is also worth a circular hike. From Assergi, the lake can be reached via the Passo delle Capanelle. The national park is crisscrossed by hundreds of hiking trails that run between idyllic villages, picturesque olive groves, and roaring waterfalls. The circular trail from Assergi measures about 7.5 kilometers. The hiking trails are also accessible in winter, although wearing skis or crampons is required. Experienced mountaineers climb the Gran Sasso, with the route over the west ridge being particularly appealing.
Horn Valley
The circular route can be explored not only on foot but also by mountain bike. You start the excursion at Campo Imperatore and then head towards Vado di Corno. The highest point is the 2,494 m high Monte Aguila, from which you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view. The surrounding Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park is rich in scenic highlights. Enjoy the Mediterranean climate of the Abruzzo, which is ideal for hiking in spring, summer, and autumn. In winter, you can expect spectacular views of the snow-covered mountain peaks and ideal conditions for cross-country skiing.
Vignanotica- Mergoli
The magnificent Gargano National Park is located in the southern Italian region of Apulia, right on the Adriatic coast. Therefore, it also includes plenty of paradisiacal beaches and Mediterranean bays. There are many different hiking trails here to discover the beautiful wooded hills or the stunning coastline. A wonderful example of a great hike is the circular tour from Vignanotica to Mergoli and back. On the approximately 4.5-kilometer route, there are plenty of viewpoints over the magnificent coastal landscape, as well as several picturesque bays and, of course, beaches that invite you to refresh.
Castel del Monte loop from Montegrosso
In Apulia in southern Italy, the Alta Murgia National Park is an extraordinary landscape of gigantic gorges and the country's last Mediterranean steppe. The national park is well-equipped with a good network of hiking trails and can be explored in many ways. One of the most beautiful routes passes by the famous Castel del Monte. The approximately 6-kilometer-long Castel del Monte loop from Montegrosso is located in the municipality of Andria near the charming Castel del Monte, which is considered one of the most beautiful castles in southern Italy. Here, the short, moderately difficult hike leads on well-walkable paths through a magnificent sea of flowers in the beautiful landscape.