Not far from Opi, there is one of the most beautiful hikes you can enjoy in the Abruzzo National Park. From Val Fondillo, several mountain trails branch off, offering different levels of difficulty. The hike in Val Fondillo is also suitable for families with children and beginners.
Val Fondillo is one of the most beautiful areas of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. It is rich in greenery, forests, rare natural features, and peaceful, cool clearings. Its ancient name was Fontilli, from “fonts” or “springs”: along the valley, in addition to the five main springs, there are many smaller ones which, together with their excellent drinking water, feed the Fondillo stream.
The valley, with elevations ranging between 1,084 and 1,960 meters above sea level, is initially narrow near the Grotte Fondillo area, then gradually opens out like a fan, forming a true natural amphitheater flanked by Monte Amaro (1,862 m) and Monte Dubbio (1,702 m), connected by the wide Serra delle Gravare ridge.
From the Val Fondillo Visitor Center, we will begin walking along a wide and comfortable dirt road, crossing large clearings that offer wonderful views over the valley. We will then cross a striking suspension bridge before reaching the Tornareccia springs, hidden within a beech forest, where crystal-clear water flows directly from the heart of the mountain.