Discovering the "Via dei Lupi": a journey between nature and adventure!

Attention trekking lovers… if you are looking for a unique adventure to fully immerse yourselves in nature, the Via dei Lupi is just for you! It is a thrilling route that, starting from the Roman countryside, winds its way through Lazio and Abruzzo, offering truly breathtaking landscapes for a total of approximately 220 km. It is an unforgettable experience for participants, but above all, an important opportunity to promote awareness of respect for nature and animals, particularly protected species. The itinerary includes 14 stages, designed to be covered in about two weeks, during which participants will have the opportunity to cross as many as five protected areas and follow the tracks of the Apennine Wolf, a magnificent protected specimen that lives in packs and which, although difficult to spot, leaves clear traces of its passage.

A significant feature of the route is the opportunity to cross the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, one of the most important protected areas in Italy, which hosts numerous rare species, thus allowing one to admire the beauty of the park's biodiversity firsthand.

The stages of the Via dei Lupi route Let's look at the stages of the Via dei Lupi.

• Tivoli – San Polo dei Cavalieri (8km): Starting from Tivoli, where you can visit the famous Villas, such as Villa d’Este and Villa Adriana, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you cross the Protected Area of the Monte Catillo Reserve until you reach the village of San Polo.
• San Polo dei Cavalieri – Licenza (16km): You pass through the historic beech forest of the Monti Lucretili Regional Natural Park, the pastures of Pratone, and the Campitello plain, thus arriving at the village of Licenza.
• Licenza – Riofreddo (14km): You ascend the Licenza River Valley up to the Fraturno Lake, and then reach the Park boundary, from which you descend along a path to the municipality of Riofreddo.
• Riofreddo – Cervara di Roma (15km): The fourth stage crosses the marvelous Monti Simbruini Regional Natural Park, with clearings and beech forests that offer a suggestive natural setting.
• Cervara di Roma – Livata (17 km): Continuing within the protected area, you follow the Piana di Camposecco, known for having been the set for many Italian Westerns, up to the tourist center of Livata.
• Livata – Jenne (10 km): The sixth stage is much quieter than the others, with a relatively short duration and a walk mainly downhill that, passing through the Forest Refuge in the Piana di Fondi, leads to the village of Jenne.
• Jenne – Trevi nel Lazio (14 km): Crossing hills and mountains of the Aniene valley, with views of the Càntari sub-chain, you arrive at the village of Trevi nel Lazio.
• Trevi nel Lazio – La Grancia (24km): This is the longest and most demanding stage and involves passing through the Zompo lo Schioppo Reserve, known for its waterfalls and fascinating beech groves.
• Morino – Civita d’Antino (8km): After the difficulties of the previous stage, the ninth is a much shorter and more relaxing walk, through the ruins of Morino Vecchio, up to the village of Civita d’Antino.
• Civita d’Antino – Villavallelonga (19km): You climb the side of the Serralunga chain, admiring imposing peaks such as Monte Viglio, and continuing east you arrive at the Rocca d’Abate Refuge and, finally, the village of Villavallelonga.
• Villavallelonga – Pescasseroli (19km): You finally enter the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, passing first through the beautiful Prati d’Angro, then through the Schiena d’Asino Pass, and finally the Val di Sangro basin, where Pescasseroli, the beating heart of the Park, is located.
• Pescasseroli – San Donato Val di Comino (18km): Crossing clearings, beech forests, and coniferous woods, on a long but not very tiring path, you arrive at the beautiful village of San Donato in Val Comino, which offers unique landscapes and a great historical legacy.
• San Donato Val di Comino – Santuario Madonna in Val Canneto (18km): Continuing along the Lazio side of the National Park, first uphill and then downhill, you reach a beautiful spiritual path that culminates with the Santuario di Madonna di Canneto.
• Santuario Madonna in Val Canneto – Civitella Alfedena (17km): The last stage, although complicated, offers breathtaking views that certainly repay the effort made. The path is first uphill, reaching the highest points of the valley floor, and then downhill, through the Iannanghera Valley. From here, you arrive at the town of Civitella Alfedena, where one of the first Wolf refuges was built in the 70s, thanks to which it was possible to save this wonderful specimen from extinction.

Our suggestions for the Via dei Lupi If you intend to take part in this extraordinary adventure, it is important to prepare adequately. First of all, we certainly suggest you have good physical condition, since the stages can be quite demanding. Make sure you wear clothing that adapts to the different conditions you may encounter along the way and carry the right equipment with you, which includes a hiking map, compass, flashlight, whistle, and GPS tracker. Finally, do not forget to book accommodation facilities in advance. All necessary information is available on the official Via dei Lupi website. So, all you have to do is gather the right spirit and the necessary equipment and leave for this splendid journey of rediscovery of nature and yourself!