42.47° N · 13.57° E
The highest massif in the Apennines: the Campo Imperatore plateau, the Corno Grande, Rocca Calascio and stone villages such as Santo Stefano di Sessanio.
Part of Apennines
What to do
Each plan says how long it takes, who it's for and whether you can book.
A 27 km road across the plateau, between 1,500 and 1,900 m, with free-roaming horses, flocks and the Corno Grande in the background · Half a day
3 km cable car climbing from 1,125 to 2,128 m in about 7 minutes; at the top, Mussolini's hotel, the botanical garden and the start of the hikes · 2–3 h
Climb to the highest summit in the Apennines, 2,912 m, by the normal route (EE/F): about 780 m of ascent from Campo Imperatore · Full day
Plan the trip
Each choice narrows the next: the season shapes how best to travel, and how you travel decides where you stay and where you eat.
When to go
From June to October, when the plateau is free of snow and you can walk up. July and August are best for the Corno Grande; September and October bring fewer people and clear light. From December to April, Campo Imperatore is a ski resort.
How you travel
The ways of travelling that suit Gran Sasso. We are writing a guide to each one: where to stay, how to get around and which services you will need.
By carBy campervanCampingOn footBy motorbikeBy bike
Where to stay
Why we like it: Hotel spread through the medieval houses of Santo Stefano di Sessanio, with fireplaces, loom-woven blankets and mountain furniture; own restaurant.
Why we like it: Rooms in the restored houses of the village of Rocca Calascio, beneath the castle, with bar, breakfast and restaurant; paths from the door.
Why we like it: CAI Rome hut at 2,388 m, 40 minutes from Campo Imperatore, with two dormitories of 7 and 15 places and half board; open in summer.
Where to eat
From set lunch menus to Michelin stars. We mark the price level and what to order at each place.
What to order: the menu of old recipes, with the area's pulses.
What to order: a first course of homemade pasta and, if in season, mushrooms.
Takeaway and markets
Nearby
The closest places, whichever country they are in.
41.93° N · 13.09° E
By carBy plane
41.96° N · 12.80° E
Car-freeBy plane
42.21° N · 12.40° E
43.07° N · 12.62° E
Car-freeBy carBy plane
Tips
The cable car leaves you at the top, but Campo Imperatore is 27 km long: it's better understood by crossing it by road with stops.
At 2,000 m it's cold and the wind blows hard on the plateau, which hasn't a single tree.
There are no villages on the plateau, and those on the edge are far apart.
Santo Stefano, Calascio or Castel del Monte let you see the plateau at dawn and dusk.
Go to Rocca Calascio at first or last light: the ruined fortress above the empty plateau is the image of Gran Sasso.
It looks like a stroll from Campo Imperatore, but it's high mountain. If you're not used to it, stay on the plateau trails or go with a guide.
The highest massif in the Apennines, in Abruzzo, east of Rome. Its summit, the Corno Grande, reaches 2,912 m, and beside it the Corno Piccolo has a profile that locals call the sleeping giant. Beneath the Corno Grande lies the Calderone, a small glacier that shrinks every year. It's all within the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park, created in 1991: about 150,000 hectares spread across three regions, five provinces and 44 municipalities.
Beneath the massif runs the A24 motorway, through a tunnel of about 10 km opened in 1984, and under 1,400 m of rock lies a particle physics laboratory.
Campo Imperatore is the great plateau south of the peaks: about 27 km long and 8 wide, between 1,500 and 1,900 m in altitude, with no trees, semi-wild horses and flocks that graze from spring to autumn. That's why it's called Little Tibet. Next to the upper cable car station, at 2,128 m, are the hotel where Mussolini was held prisoner in 1943 until German commandos freed him, an alpine botanical garden dating from 1952 with about 300 mountain species, and an astronomical observatory.
Rocca Calascio, at 1,460 m, is the highest fortress in the Apennines: a 10th-century tower to which a four-towered enclosure was added in the 13th century. The 1461 earthquake left it in ruins and it was never rebuilt. Next to it is the octagonal church of Santa Maria della Pietà, from the 17th century. Scenes from Ladyhawke and The Name of the Rose were filmed here. Go at sunset, when the light drops over the plateau.
Santo Stefano di Sessanio, at about 1,250 m, is a stone village that once belonged to the Medici: their coat of arms is still on the village gate. The 2009 L'Aquila earthquake brought down its Medici tower. Today it has little more than a hundred residents and many of its restored houses form an albergo diffuso, a hotel spread through the village. Try its lentils, recognised by Slow Food; they celebrate their festival on the first weekend of September. Next door, Castel del Monte is another of the Borghi più belli d'Italia.
Yes, in summer and with mountain experience. It's the highest summit in the Apennines and the ascent is high-mountain, even if you start from the comfort of Campo Imperatore, which the cable car reaches. Set out early, check the forecast and, if you have no experience, go with a mountain guide. If you don't want to reach the summit, the plateau trails and the passes around the hotel already give views of the walls.
Fly to Rome: from there, the A24 motorway leads towards L'Aquila and Gran Sasso; Campo Imperatore is about 132 km from Rome. From the Assergi exit of the A24 you reach Fonte Cerreto in a short time, where the Gran Sasso cable car leaves: it climbs from about 1,125 m to 2,128 m, at Campo Imperatore, in about 7 minutes, over 3 km. Next to the lower station there's a large car park. You can also reach the plateau by road, and in winter, with snow, the high roads may close. Without a car it's hard to get around: the villages have few buses.
Arrosticini, small skewers of mutton roasted on a long brazier, are the dish of Gran Sasso and the whole of Abruzzo. Also order the Santo Stefano lentils, local pecorino cheese and, to drink, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.
Questions
Two or three. One for Campo Imperatore and the cable car, one for Rocca Calascio and Santo Stefano, and another if you want to climb the Corno Grande.
From June to October. In winter there's snow and the high roads may close, although Campo Imperatore operates as a ski resort.
Yes, almost always. Public transport between villages is scarce and the plateau has no regular services.
It's the highest peak in the Apennines and a high-mountain ascent. With experience and good weather it can be done in a day from Campo Imperatore; without experience, go with a guide.
In the albergo diffuso at Santo Stefano di Sessanio, in houses in Calascio or Castel del Monte, or in L'Aquila if you prefer a city.
Small skewers of mutton cooked over embers, the typical dish of Abruzzo.
Geocaliahttps://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/abruzzo/gran-sasso
