CNA - Escher’s Enchanted Abruzzo

Arrival in Sulmona, meeting with guides and transfer to Pettorano Sul Gizio. Amidst the wonderful mountains of central Abruzzo, capable of surprising a mind as brilliant as that of the Dutch engraver and graphic artist Maurits Cornelius Escher, lies the Monte Genzana Alto Gizio Regional Nature Reserve, with its 3,160 hectares, the largest of Abruzzo’s reserves. Nature conservation and recovery of the medieval village have come together in the best possible way in establishment of the Reserve, earning the municipality a place in the network of Italy’s most beautiful villages. Short evening excursion and tour of the village. Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight stay.

2 hours’ walking – 200 m ascent – 200 m descent

After breakfast, transfer to Anversa degli Abruzzi and departure for an excursion in the Gole del Sagittario Reserve. The circular itinerary starts from Anversa degli Abruzzi, descends to the Cavuto spring where the Reserve’s Visitor Centre and botanical garden are located, then climbs up a section of the gorges to the Colle San Michele ridge where the village of Castrovalva is perched. It then follows the high scenic ridge to look out over the gorges, where we may well spot a golden eagle in flight against the rock walls of Pizzo Marcello. Once at the village of Castrovalva, our itinerary leads down through scrubland, passing near the well-known “Girone Escher” hairpin bend on the road up to the small village to admire the view portrayed by the Dutch artist in his famous engraving. In the evening, transfer to Scanno, dinner and overnight stay.

5 hours’ walking – 300 m ascent – 300 m descent

After breakfast, we set off on a relaxing hike from the village to the famous panoramic terrace to observe the legendary heart-shaped lake. With its stately mansions, women in traditional costume and goldsmiths’ workshops, Scanno is one of those wonderful places where the village architecture goes hand in hand with age-old traditions and timeless scenery. The crystal-clear waters of the lakes of Scanno and San Domenico and the possibility of observing grazing deer enrich this day with a series of captivating moments. In the evening, return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

3 hours’ walking – 200 m ascent – 200 m descent

After breakfast, transfer from the Sagittario valley to the Upper Sangro valley and into the heart of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. In Escher’s work on Opi, probably created in 1929, the village is depicted as the artist saw it: perched, almost poised, on a rocky outcrop, with its rows of small houses and streets winding down to its feet. In the background, the mountains of the Park (inaugurated only a few years earlier) act as a backdrop to the tiny Marsican village. From the belvedere with its view of the small village, we explore the Fondillo valley and its springs, to arrive in the Lake Barrea area. In the evening, arrival at hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

5 hours’ walking – 300 m ascent – 300 m descent

A short wildlife watching session near the lake awaits us at dawn. After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye with the last transfer to Sulmona train station.

2 hours’ walking – 200 m ascent – 200 m descent