Monte Amaro

Overview

Monte Amaro is the highest peak of a mountain massif called "Majella". After the Gran Sasso d'Italia the Majella is the second highest mountain-range in the entire Apennines. On this southernmost of the 5 most important massifs of the Apennines (Gran Sasso, La Majella, Velino-Sirente, Monti Sibillini, Monti della Laga) you can find a lot of peaks rising over 2500 metres. Second highest summit after Monte Amaro is the more often climbed Monte Acquaviva (2737 m). Majella mountain massif is located very close to the Adriatic sea and so the weatherconditions are not the safest up there, we had snow in august more than once! The easiest route starts from "Blockhaus" -parking. Technically it is a very easy route but therefore it's a quite long way up. From Blockhaus to Monte Amaro and back it will take you from 7 to 9 hours. Thank's to the lenght of all the ways up this mountain is absolutely not overcrowded.

Getting There

From Rome take the "Autostrada" in direction of Pescara (biggest city of the Regione Abruzzo, located at the Adriatic coast). Before reaching Pescara leave the "Autostrada" at a little village called "Scafa". Here the road starts climbing up for "Passo Lanciano" (1306 m). From Passo Lanciano follow the evident and good road till the trailhead where you reach the Majelletta and the Blockhaus at about 1950 metres above the sea.

Red Tape

No permits are required. A big part of the Majella is National Park Area, what means that you have to treat this mountain, like every other mountain, as careful as possible. It is not permitted to pick up flowers.
Trailhead-parking is for free.

When To Climb

The best climbing month are may, june, july and august. But the ascent is also absolutely possible in winter (very beautiful). Only problems in winter are the short days the often deeeep snow (skis recommended) and the closed road to the trailhead. (Till Passo Lanciano the road is always opened.) Who tries to do Monte Amaro in winter starting from Passo Lanciano has to wake up early in the morning!!!

Camping

Some hotels and huts on Passo Lanciano (little ski-station) and besides the road between Passo Lanciano and the trailhead.
The hompage of the Albergo Mamma Rosa provides some useful informations about the skiing area "Majelletta".

Two major bivouacs on the mountain:
Bivacco Fusco (2455 m, 2 hours from trailhead) and
Bivacco Pelino on top of Monte Amaro.
Both very little bivouacs, no comfort!

Wild camping on the mountain is not permitted!

Mountain Conditions

weather informations at: tempoitalia.it

informations about hotels etc.: google.com - search for Passo Lanciano. Informations on the web about Majella are not very detailed.

Soccorso Alpino (for everybody who REALLY needs help): 0337.917777

External Links

• Homepage by Nando Napoleone
  description of Palena, a little village in the mountains, and its beatutiful surrounding
  
• Parco Nazionale della Majella
  
  

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Images

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