Introduction: In search of the Ruins of the Blockhaus is a hike for children wrapped in an aura of history and mystery that the place can stir in them. A fort now destroyed, the stories about the brigands. A hike that in some ways may seem trivial, both in terms of the route and in terms of the physical effort. It is in fact a walk that from Rifugio Pomilio runs mainly on tarmac road. From the tarmac road, the stretch over meadows and among the mountain pines is short and no more than a kilometre.
Route characteristics: Tarmac road closed to vehicles with a gentle gradient; from the Madonnina del Blockhaus, traces of path with scant waymarking.
The Blockhaus is in the Majella National Park.
Route description
From Rifugio Pomilio you follow the tarmac road to where it ends. Here, among the mountain pines, you can make out a Madonnina (a small statue of the Virgin) sheltered under a little wooden canopy: this is our main landmark. From the Madonnina, carrying on to the left and moving among the mountain pines, you walk towards Monte Cavallo and the more distant Monte Focalone. This is not the way we must follow. Don't let the path signs mislead you. Instead you need to turn right, carrying on along a gravel track and then over meadows that are not too steep. Monte Blockhaus will stay on our left. Here you quickly pick out a path that gradually climbs towards the high clearing enclosed by the mountain pines.
Among the grass there are small rocks with route waymarks (red and white paint marks). You soon reach the clearing where, further south, we find the ruins of the Blockhaus.
Blockhaus would seem to come from the German, meaning “house of wood” or “built with wooden beams” or “built with logs”. All we find in the flat clearing of the Blockhaus are the foundation stones of a fort from the Bourbon era. The fort had been built as an outpost to keep watch on the hordes of brigands hiding in the wild valleys of the Maiella. One of these valleys is precisely the Valle dell'Orfento.
It is precisely the stories of the brigands that can fire the imagination of the little hikers.
You should point out to them that, besides being rugged, these areas stay very isolated all winter long because of the heavy snow.
Variants and alternatives
A possible alternative for the way back is to go down southwards, trying to regain, mountain pines and shrubs permitting, the path heading towards Monte Focalone. Once you have found the path, turn north to get back to the tarmac road.
Notes on effort and difficulty
Visitor centres and accommodation
Albergo Mamma Rosa (Località Majelletta)
Website: http://www.mammarosa.it
E-mail contact: info@mammarosa.it
Tel.: 087.18.96.144
Rifugio Pomilio: CAI Chieti: http://www.caichieti.it
Tel.: 0871.83.408
Frequently asked questions
Is the hike to the Blockhaus suitable for children?
Yes: it is graded T (easy walk on good paths), with no physical effort or technical difficulty, and the fact sheet gives it for ages 5-7. You walk mostly on a tarmac road closed to vehicles; the stretch over meadows among the mountain pines is no more than a kilometre.
Where do you start for the ruins of the Blockhaus?
From Rifugio Pomilio you follow the tarmac road to where it ends, where a Madonnina under a wooden canopy is the main landmark. From there you turn right onto a gravel track and meadows, leaving Monte Blockhaus on your left.
