Exploring Italy’s Majella – Cammino di Celestino

The Cammino di Celestino takes you from picturesque Sulmona to the enchanting Abbey of San Liberatore in Serramonacesca, through the striking Majella National Park in Abruzzo. Over 100 kilometres (62 mi) and six stages, this walk immerses you in the spectacular Majella and Morrone mountains, passing through dense forests and deep valleys. The hermitages and abbeys you encounter along the way are charged with history, art, and evocative beauty.

The trek takes its name from the humble hermit Pietro da Morrone, who became Pope Celestine V at the end of the 13th century. The hike follows the paths that Pietro walked to reach the hermitages.

The highlights are the spectacular natural beauty of the park, at times wild and majestic, and the impressive hermitages, such as the hermitage of San Giovanni, located at 1,227 metres (4,026 ft) in the Orfento Valley. You reach the hermitage via a stairway and a narrow 15-metre (49 ft) horizontal ledge, so take care while admiring the surrounding panorama.

It's important to emphasise that the Cammino di Celestino requires some hiking experience and good training as it passes through high mountains.

As for the best time to hike, pring and autumn are the ideal seasons to fully enjoy the natural wonders of the Majella. I recommend avoiding the winter months when weather conditions can make the route difficult or even inaccessible.

Each stage ends in a village offering accommodation such as agriTourisms or B&Bs. Agritourism is a new type of agriculturally-based accommodation. You can also spend the night in a tent along the trails by requesting a free permit from the park in advance. Some overnight facilities also offer special areas for pitching your tent, as well as services such as showers and toilets. However, bear in mind that opportunities to buy food supplies along the trail are limited. I recommend buying the necessary supplies for the next day at the end of each stage. In addition, you'll find several drinking fountains along the route to fill up with water, but make sure your water bottles are full at the start and finish points of each stage too.

The complete route follows the official camino, which starts at the Badia Morronese in Sulmona and ends at the Abbazia di San Liberatore in Serramonacesca. In the first and last stages, I've extended the route to connect with nearby stations to make your journey more accessible. The best way to reach Sulmona is by train. For the return journey, you can use TUA buses from Serramonacesca to Scafa, Chieti Scalo, or Pescara, where you can take the train back to Sulmona.

Get ready for an unforgettable experience on the Cammino di Celestino, where unspoilt nature and millenary history come together in the heart of Abruzzo. Enjoy this unique adventure!