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Discovering the Wolf
Join Paolo Iannicca on an ORMA Guides journey into the heart of the Abruzzo National Park to discover the Apennine wolf, following its tracks and learning to read nature through one of its most symbolic inhabitants.
Highlights
- Following the Apennine wolf: A weekend fully immersed in the nature of the Abruzzo National Park, one of the symbolic places of the wolf’s return to Italy’s mountain areas. Guided hikes will lead us to recognize signs of its presence and understand its habits, with attempts to observe it in the wild.
- Wild nature and knowledge: We will cross ancient forests, remote valleys, and UNESCO-listed woodlands, learning to read the landscape as a living ecosystem. Every walk will be an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the wolf’s role, its prey, and the delicate balance between wildlife and human presence.
- A slow and authentic experience: This is not a race to spot the wolf, but an experience built on waiting, silence, and observation. A different way of experiencing the mountains, tuning into the rhythms of nature and embracing the unpredictability that makes the journey truly authentic
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TRIP PURPOSE
This journey was created to change the narrative around the wolf, a species that for centuries has been feared, persecuted, and misunderstood. Following its tracks is not only a nature-based experience, but an act of awareness and responsibility toward biodiversity and natural balance.
Through direct observation, the study of its behavior, and an exploration of the historical relationship between humans and wolves, we aim to educate about a coexistence that is both possible and necessary.
The trip becomes a tool to raise awareness about the value of mountain ecosystems, the importance of protected areas, and the fundamental role of large predators in maintaining environmental health.
Walking through the wolf’s territory means questioning the way we inhabit nature, recognizing that environmental protection also comes from listening, respect, and deep knowledge of those who have always lived there.
This trip has been designed based on the following principles:
- Environmental and Social Education
- Sustainable Mobility
- Biodiversity
ACCOMODATION
During our journey, we will stay at Hotel Gemma, in San Sebastiano dei Marsi — a tiny village of just 150 inhabitants nestled in the upper Giovenco Valley, at the gates of the Abruzzo National Park. Located at 1,120 meters above sea level and surrounded by forests and silence, it’s the perfect base for our excursions into the wild.
The rooms are double or matrimonial, all with private bathrooms, and are simple, warm, and authentic. For those who prefer more privacy, it is possible to book a single room with a total supplement of €40.
The in-house restaurant, La Taverna, carries on a culinary tradition passed down from mother to daughter, offering typical Abruzzese dishes prepared with seasonal, local ingredients. It’s a place that truly feels like home — where nature can be tasted on every plate.
IMPORTANT INFO
The level of difficulty is medium/ easy, suitable for those who love walking in nature.
The meeting point is in Pescasseroli at 2:00 PM, at the Ecotur office on Via Piave 9. This is where the activities of the trip will begin. Pescasseroli can be reached by car via the A24 Rome–Pescara highway, exiting at Pescina and continuing toward Pescasseroli. It is also possible to arrive by train to Avezzano on the Rome–Pescara line and continue by bus, or to reach Pescasseroli directly by coach from Rome. For those arriving from southern Italy, the reference station is Castel di Sangro, followed by a bus connection to Pescasseroli.
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The hikes involve moderate distances and limited elevation gain, but a basic level of fitness and comfort walking in natural environments is required. Proper equipment is essential, including hiking boots, waterproof and windproof clothing, a backpack, water bottle, hat and gloves. Temperatures can be low during the excursions, so dressing in layers is strongly recommended.
The program may be subject to changes due to weather conditions or specific needs of the group.
What's included
- Food: Half-board stay.
- Accommodation: 2 nights in a 3-star hotel in double or triple rooms with private bathrooms.
- Tour & Activities: All the excursions and use of Zeiss or Swarovski spotting scopes for wildlife observation.
- Other: Support from the guide throughout the entire trip.
What's not included
- Food: all the meals not specified.
- Transportation: travel to and from the meeting point.
- Other: Trip cancellation insurance.
- Anything not specified under "What's included".
Payment Terms
30% down payment at the time of booking and the remaining 70% due 30 days prior to departure.
If the booking is made within 30 days of departure, the full amount is due at checkout.
Bank transfers or credit cards can be used to make payments.
However, if the trip status is marked as "Confirmed" or "Last tickets", there's no need to worry - it means the minimum number of participants has already been met.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Entering the wolf’s territory
The journey begins in the early afternoon with arrival in Pescasseroli and a meeting with the guide at the Ecotur office. From here we will set off on our first hike through the ancient forest of the Difesa di Pescasseroli, a highly biodiverse area and habitat for numerous animal species. This initial walk will help us become familiar with the territory, observe the landscape, and begin recognizing signs of wildlife. In the late afternoon we will transfer to the hotel for check-in. The day will end with dinner and a presentation of the program, offering context and insight into the experiences of the days ahead.
Day 2 – Humans and wolves: a complex relationship
The day will start at dawn with a first attempt to observe the wolf, when the park is at its quietest and most active. After breakfast, we will hike in the Cicerana area, one of the wildest parts of the park and well known for wolf presence. Here we will explore the historical and often conflictual relationship between humans and wolves, analyzing its causes and evolution over time. After lunch in a mountain refuge, we will visit the Selva Moricento, a UNESCO-listed forest and an example of a well-preserved ancient ecosystem. In the afternoon we will return to the hotel, with another opportunity to observe wildlife before dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3 – Reading nature
The final day will once again begin at dawn with another attempt to spot the wolf. After breakfast, we will move to the Giovenco Valley, a key area for understanding the wolf’s habitat, its prey, and the signs it leaves on the landscape. We will walk while learning to interpret tracks, footprints, and ecological dynamics, deepening our understanding of the wolf’s role within the mountain ecosystem. After a packed lunch, activities will conclude in the early afternoon, followed by departure toward home destinations.
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Paolo was born and raised in Pescasseroli, in the heart of Abruzzo, where he still lives today. As a passionate local guide, he loves to “walk” through nature, history, art, and literature. During his journeys, he always seeks to connect with the “deep soul” of the places he explores. He loves meeting people along the way, listening to and sharing stories, discovering traditions, and understanding the local way of life.For him, wild Abruzzo is the result of a millennia-old coexistence between local communities and an untamed nature made of bears and wolves. Yet, every now and then, he also enjoys walking alone through “his Abruzzo,” to renew and strengthen that deep bond that ties him to this land.
Booking Info
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