Introduction: Monte Aquila is a summit that, if conquered in winter with adequate snow cover, can give very strong emotions and landscapes of true high mountains. It is certainly not a very high mountain (compared with the summits around it) and not at all difficult technically. The round proposed here nonetheless remains worth noting for the physical effort.
Route features: The loop runs partly on path, partly on road. In the winter months, when the snow covers the paths, the route can be picked out from the ridge line of Monte Portella and of Monte Aquila. Only in fog on the saddle of Monte Aquila is there a real chance of getting lost.
The climb is also described in the guide I 2000 dell'Appennino by Alberto Osti Guerrazzi.
Route description
From the car park at Campo Imperatore you walk towards the astronomical observatory, then follow obvious marks that climb to Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi. Once at the Duca degli Abruzzi you follow the ridge of Monte Portella eastwards, in the direction of the Corno Grande. After a few easy ups and downs the path drops sharply towards the Sella del Monte Aquila. Past the saddle you carry on along traces of path for 200 metres to a fork. At the fork you turn right, leaving the path that leads to the normal route of the Corno Grande. The path climbs back up towards Monte Aquila, bending slightly to the right. The route becomes slightly steeper up to the summit of Monte Aquila. From the summit the view is truly privileged: to the east you can see almost the whole of the eastern chain of the Gran Sasso (Monte Brancastello, Monte Prena and the long ridge that drops from Monte Aquila down to Vado di Corno); to the west the Corno Grande with its southern ridge and the imposing South-South-East (SSE) arête.
Remarkable too is the view over the Campo Imperatore plateau to the south and over the countryside of the Teramo area to the north. An airy landscape, one of the widest and most astounding. In this sense the winter ascent can give a high-mountain view with relatively little effort. It is a summit within reach of even the less experienced hiker.
The descent runs along the ridge of Monte Aquila that drops eastwards to Vado di Corno. An intuitive descent that needs no directions. Traces of path present but not well defined. At Vado di Corno you take the path that leads us onto the Campo Imperatore plateau as far as the Strada Statale 17, which climbs to the hotel. When the road is not covered in snow the climb is simple, though tiring. In the winter months the road is closed and covered by massive layers of snow that make the climb even heavier. Near the ski lifts you can leave the road and climb up alongside the lifts (as long as they are not running; in that case you must carry on along the road). One last steep pull and we are back at the car park of the Albergo di Campo Imperatore. The round is complete.
Variants and alternatives
An alternative route is the one that passes below Monte Portella, but it makes us give up the stretch along the panoramic ups and downs that start from Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi. From the astronomical observatory of Campo Imperatore you climb the crest for 400 metres. Halfway up the slope we find the fork in the path that leads directly to the Sella del Monte Aquila. From here you carry on as described.
Notes on effort and difficulty
Visitor centres and accommodation
Albergo di Campo Imperatore and the Gran Sasso d'Italia cable car.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Monte Aquila loop from Campo Imperatore?
The loop is 10.5 km long with 792 metres of height gain and takes about 5 hours 30 minutes in summer conditions. It climbs to Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi, follows the ridge of Monte Portella to Monte Aquila and comes back via Vado di Corno.
Can you climb Monte Aquila in winter?
Yes, with good snow cover it gives high-mountain landscapes, but the times can even double. With snow the route is followed along the ridge line of the Portella and the Aquila; in fog it is easy to get lost on the saddle of Monte Aquila.
