Pennapiedimonte-Monte Cavallo

This is a beautiful walk along the top of the Vallone delle Tre Grotte -albeit a long one. In a warm summer day can be very exhausting. Fortunately, there are several water points at different stages along the way (IBP Index 155).

The walk starts at one of my favorite points: Pennapiedimonte. It is easy to get to from Pescara-Chieti and there is plenty of parking (if you arrive early on a weekend). You can do this walk either way: going down the valley and up to Monte Cavallo, or up the mountain towards Passo Lanciano and down to the valley. I prefer the latter to give myself a rest during the return. Also, the ascent is less steep this way.

The climb begins at the rock arc. If you follow the trail you will get to a rest point within 30 min. Here you can load up on water. The view from here is also nice. A few minutes ahead, you will find the first detour (trail 3a to the left -which takes you down through the Tre Grotte and to the bottom of the valley).

Continuing the climb through heavy trees, you will pass a few forks. One of them coming from Bocca di Valle. Past another water point, you will get to a fork in the road. Although the sign indicates it is trail 3a, (old) maps mark this as trail 3b, which is a higher altitude version of 3a (which you already passed before getting into the trees).

To continue towards Passo Lanciano you must stay in trail 3, which is to the right. Continuing this way will eventually get you to an esplanade where you can see the towers at Passo Lanciano and the Blockhaus in front. Following the trail will take you to Passo Lanciano. Once there, take the (pedestrians only) road to the Blockhaus. Here, you can choose either the left trail (faster) or the right trail (easier) to go around the Blockhaus. Once past this, a short walk will get you to Monte Cavallo.

A sign will indicate the trail down towards the valley (G4). The descent gets steep at times but it is a beautiful view of the Maiella all around. Vegetation varies from small shrubs to pine trees (at higher altitudes, and heavy foliage trees for the second half of the descent).

Once at the bottom you will cross the river bed and onto the main trail (4) that will take you back to Pennapiedimonte. Turn frequently as you do this last leg of the trail: the views of the mountains and the valley are amazing.