“By walking you learn about life, by walking you get to know people, by walking you heal the wounds of the day before. Walk looking at a star, listening to a voice, following in the footsteps of other steps.” (Ruben Blades)
The fourth Abruzzo edition of the Sentiero Italia Cai 2024 ended on Sunday 23 June, with the P05 hiking stage from the picturesque Roccacaramanico to the historic Pacentro. One hundred and forty-two hikers belonging to 18 CAI Sections coming from Abruzzo and numerous other regions of Italy, they wanted, with their precious and strongly felt presence, to share the journey through the meadows and woods of one of the most evocative corners of Abruzzo and Italy. In addition to the Regional President Francesco Sulpizio and the President of the CAI Section of Sulmona, Nino Restaino, there are many friends of the CAI Abruzzo and special guests present on the occasion of the third edition of the Sentiero Italia, starting with the General Vice-President of the Alpine Club Italian, Manlio Pellizzon, and by the Cai Mountain Villages Project Manager, Alberto Ghedina, without forgetting an important point of reference for Cai Abruzzo, his friend Paolo Grilli, who, with their presence, were able to appreciate how much Abruzzo mountain context has grown to reach technical and organizational levels on par with the most renowned, but also historically expert, mountain contexts in Italy.
Guided by the good and expert hiking leaders of the Italian Alpine Club, the participants, starting from the reborn historic village of Roccacaramanico, and crossing its suggestive alleys lined with restored stone houses, set off along the “Q8” path, slightly uphill , created and reported by the Majella National Park. The view of this splendid territory from which stand out the most evocative and loud peaks of Abruzzo is extraordinary… the Majella Mountains with Monte Amaro and Monte Pesco Falcone, beyond the Morrone Mountains and Monte Mileto. Having reached the San Leonardo Pass, at an altitude of 1282 metres, taking advantage of a short but regenerating stop, the hikers present were able to take advantage of a useful and important blood pressure measurement service at a special medical station led by the very talented Dr. Carla D ‘Angelo, President of the Cai Central Medical Commission, with the collaboration of the medical staff present.
Once the “medical” and “refreshment” break was quickly over and the presence was reconfirmed, the group of hikers resumed their journey, this time downhill, following the “Q1” path towards Pian dell’Orso. Following the state road 487 in the direction of Sulmona, alternating stretches on asphalt and deviating onto a path, fascinated by the extraordinary natural spectacle of the very steep valley on the Vella River, the fearless hikers, tired but extraordinarily satisfied, were able to calmly enjoy the beautiful view of Pacentro, a of the most beautiful villages in Italy, on the historic Caldora Castle and on the entire beautiful and rich Peligna Valley. Yet another great success for the President Francesco Sulpizio and for the Regional Group, as well as for the Municipal Administration and for the illustrious guests… everyone, including the “people” of the hikers of the Italian Alpine Club awaiting the next 2025 edition.
