On the tracks of the Samnites and Romans in Molise – Sentiero Italia
Hiking Collection by Marika Abbà
9
days
3-8 h
/ day
179 km
5,650 m
5,000 m
When it comes to Molise, the joke you hear most in Italy is: “il Molise non esiste!” (Molise does not exist!). This exclamation, which soon went viral, was created by the satirical website Nonciclopedia to make fun of its small size. Molise, in fact, is the second smallest Italian region after Valle d'Aosta. Unlike the latter, however, it’s way off the tourist routes.
In this Collection, I take you to discover this almost unknown corner of Italy, but one that holds unique and unparalleled beauty. In nine days, you’ll cross the entire region, starting from where the previous stage of the Sentiero Italia left off, in Apulia, crossing the stretch coming from Campania – you can find the dedicated Collection here: komoot.com/en/collection/1983867 – and ending your walk in Abruzzo.
Along the way, you touch upon the history of Molise: you encounter castle ruins dating back to the Samnite era, medieval-style villages, an ancient Roman town and a large sanctuary. Woods, rivers and long ridges guide you stage after stage from San Marco la Catola to Rivisondoli. You walk along the 'tratturi', the paths used by shepherds for transhumance, part of the region’s rich heritage.
The best time to walk this section of the Sentiero Italia is from late spring to autumn. All stages begin and end in villages where there are a small number of accommodation options. Since there are only a few, I advise you to book well in advance.
Take breathable clothing and some warmer layers too. I recommend carrying a large water bottle and a good stash of energy bars or dried fruit in your rucksack. Bring trekking poles and a pair of sturdy ankle-high boots.
The town of San Marco la Catola is connected to Foggia by the SITA SUD s.r.l. bus line 721. The nearest airport to Rivisondoli is Pescara, which can be reached by bus from Roccaraso. Roccaraso is about 2 kilometres (1.3 mi) from Rivisondoli, which can be reached on foot or by private transfer.
It only remains for me to wish you many happy days on the trail!
On The Map
Do it yourself
Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full route below as a template.
Last updated: November 10, 2024
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
Activities
08:04
26.5km
3.3km/h
940m
800m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Backpack on your shoulders, the time has come to leave for this new adventure. Walk through the narrow alleys of the medieval village of San Marco la Catola and head towards the city cemetery, from where the path leads you to the bridge over the Fortore stream, emissary of nearby Lake Occhito.
Today's…
translated by
•by
Marika Abbà
05:48
20.3km
3.5km/h
550m
390m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Today's stage develops almost entirely along the border between Molise and Campania.
Leave the accommodation facility and cross the regional border for a short detour to Lago di Decorata. This small basin is a very popular destination for families and not on hot sunny days. You can treat yourself to a…
translated by•by
Sign Up To Discover Places Like This
Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.
07:49
29.3km
3.8km/h
150m
600m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Leave Cercemaggiore and go down towards the Tammaro river, then take one of the oldest transhumance routes, the Pescasseroli-Candela sheep track and head towards Altilia.
Today you have the opportunity to walk through the streets of an ancient Roman city. In Roman times this area was frequented by shepherds…
translated by•by
05:10
13.6km
2.6km/h
1,290m
350m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Depart from Bojano, go up to Civita Superiore and head towards Monte Crocella. The route of the Sentiero Italia emphasizes that of the Sentiero dell'Eremita, a route that passes through woods, rocky walls and which offers interesting landscape views.
One of the points of interest of this stage is undoubtedly…
translated by•by
07:17
23.1km
3.2km/h
680m
1,290m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Today's stage begins with an approximately 8 km long descent that ends in Roccamandolfi. It is a suggestive village, famous for being the country of brigands. It was precisely in these houses that bands of rebels established themselves, who rose up against the abuses of the Bourbon army first and then…
translated by•by
03:01
10.6km
3.5km/h
130m
460m
IntermediateIntermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Today's stage is rather quiet and includes a long downhill section with some gentle climbs.
Start again from the majestic Addolorata Sanctuary, first take the paved road, then follow the dirt road. The landscape that follows is wide, in the distance you can see mountains covered with thick forests, a…
translated by•by
06:39
21.7km
3.3km/h
900m
490m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Depart from Isernia and head north towards the Pesche hamlet. This small perched village is of immense beauty and still holds the remains of the old Lombard castle. From here you have a beautiful view of the valley floor.
The path becomes increasingly steep up to the Fonte Maiuri refuge, where there is…
translated by•by
04:22
15.4km
3.5km/h
360m
250m
IntermediateIntermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.You leave from Carovilli for the eighth and penultimate stage of the Molise section of the Sentiero Italia. Take the steep climb that takes you under the peak of Coste Ingotta (1,035 m), then continue along the green path at the foot of the peak of Monte Ingotta (1,189 m); beautiful sceneries unfold…
translated by•by
05:39
19.1km
3.4km/h
680m
380m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Here you are at the last stage, legs shouldered and off we go!
Say goodbye to San Pietro Avellana and Molise and go down towards the Sangro river. You are officially in Abruzzo.
Take the path that climbs towards Pietransieri, then, after 1,300 meters of altitude, the long descent towards Roccaraso begins…
translated by•by
Like this Collection?
Collection Stats
- Activities9
- Distance179 km
- Duration53:47 h
- Elevation5,650 m5,000 m
You Might Also Like
Hiking Collection by 
Hiking Collection by 
Hiking Collection by 
Mountain Biking Collection by 
Comments
Sign up for a free komoot account to join the conversation.