Things to do in Roccaraso in summer and nearby
Updated November 2026
Once the snow has gone, the Alto Sangro becomes walking country, with meadows, beech woods and stone villages. Less than an hour's drive from Roccaraso you'll find two national parks and some of the most beautiful villages in Abruzzo.
Close to the house
Pescocostanzo (10 km, fifteen minutes) is one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages in Italy': stone houses, the basilica of Santa Maria del Colle and a long tradition of bobbin lace.
The Sant'Antonio wood (Bosco di Sant'Antonio, 16 km, 20 minutes), above Pescocostanzo, is an ancient forest of beeches and maples with monumental trees: best explored slowly, on foot.
Rivisondoli (4 km) is the next village, known for its living nativity scene around Epiphany. The Cinquemiglia plateau, towards Sulmona, is a wide open upland that's lovely for walks.
Lakes and parks
- Lake Barrea
- 32 km · about 40 minutes
- Civitella Alfedena
- 38 km · about 50 minutes
- Pescasseroli
- 51 km · about 1 hour
- Scanno
- 65 km · about 1¼ hours
Lake Barrea is the gateway to the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park: Civitella Alfedena, Villetta Barrea and, further on, Pescasseroli are the bases for its trails. At certain times some of the park's routes have limited numbers or must be booked: check the park's website first.
Scanno, with its heart-shaped lake seen from the path above the village, is one of the area's classic day trips.
In the other direction, half an hour away, the Majella National Park begins: Campo di Giove (25 km) and Palena (23 km) are good starting points for hikes.
Sulmona and local food
Sulmona (35 km, 40 minutes), the home town of Ovid, has a handsome old centre and is famous for its sugared almonds (confetti): worth at least half a day.
Local food means arrosticini (lamb skewers), pecorino and other sheep's cheeses, cured meats and pasta alla chitarra.
A ride on a heritage train
On some weekends of the year the Transiberiana d'Italia runs vintage trains on the line between Sulmona and Castel di Sangro, which also stops in Roccaraso: a slow, scenic way to see the plateau. Dates and tickets are on the Fondazione FS website.
When to go
June to September for hiking, with the driest days in July and August; October for the colours of the beech woods. Averages and tips in snow and weather month by month.
More guides
- Getting hereBy car from Rome, Naples, Pescara and Puglia, by coach, or by train to Sulmona: routes, travel times and what to know if you arrive in winter.
- Snow and weather by monthTemperatures, snow and rain month by month in Roccaraso, with the best times to ski, to hike or to find the village quiet.
- Skiing in RoccarasoThe Alto Sangro ski areas (Aremogna, Pizzalto and Monte Pratello), the single ski pass, when to go and practical tips for a day on the snow.