Campo Imperatore

Just a few kilometres from L’Aquila lies Campo Imperatore, a plateau that is home to one of the most modern and well-equipped ski resorts in central Italy. This location sits at the foot of the Gran Sasso massif within the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park and its territory spans several municipalities including Calascio, Castel del Monte, L’Aquila and Santo Stefano di Sessanio.

During the Fascist period, a major tourism and sports development campaign was organised for L’Aquila and the surrounding towns, which led to the creation of the Fonte Cerreto resort, located at 1150 metres above sea level. This location enjoys a strategic position just a few kilometres from L’Aquila and the Assergi motorway exit on the A24. From here departs the famous Gran Sasso d’Italia Cable Car, one of the longest in Europe, which whisks you quickly to the Campo Imperatore station where you’ll find the ski facilities of the same name.

The cable car is used not just in winter by winter sports enthusiasts but also in summer by those who want to reach the plateau to undertake the numerous hiking trails available. The Campo Imperatore plateau stretches for approximately 20 km and the magnificent landscapes it offers, surrounded by the highest peaks of the Apennines such as Corno Grande (2912 metres) and Monte Camicia (2564 metres), have frequently been chosen as filming locations for various films.

Skiing at Campo Imperatore

Campo Imperatore is considered an advanced and modern ski resort that attracts winter sports enthusiasts from across Italy every winter. Situated at 2220 metres, this resort guarantees good snow cover for much of the year and offers guests 20 km of slopes (blue, red and black runs) and ultra-modern ski lifts. In addition, there are over 60 km of cross-country skiing trails and several routes for ski mountaineering, whilst snowboard enthusiasts can enjoy the snow park with half-pipe slopes and boardercross.

Campo Imperatore is also linked to the Tre Nevi resort where you’ll find the ski resorts of Campo Felice and Ovindoli-Monte Magnola. The station also has ski and snowboard schools, a beginners’ nursery slope and equipment rental services.

At the upper station of Campo Imperatore you’ll find the famous Hotel Campo Imperatore, renowned as the location where Benito Mussolini was imprisoned in 1943, and the Campo Imperatore Hostel. Next to the hotel are the Campo Imperatore Astronomical Station and the Alpine Botanical Garden. At the lower Fonte Cerreto station, there are several mountain refuges where you can refresh yourself.

Ski passes for Campo Imperatore

The Campo Imperatore ski resort offers various types of ski passes, including daily, multi-day, morning-only and afternoon-only passes, as well as season tickets.

There is also the “Parks Ski Pass” season ticket, which allows you to ski at Ovindoli, Campo Felice and Campo Imperatore, the “Twin Snows Ski Pass” which covers Ovindoli and Campo Imperatore, and the “Two Snows Ski Pass” which covers Campo Felice and Campo Imperatore.

What to do in summer at Campo Imperatore

Campo Imperatore is a truly versatile destination that, thanks to its natural heritage, attracts visitors and tourists throughout the year. Whilst in winter many come to Campo Imperatore to enjoy winter sports, in summer this location becomes the perfect place for those looking to escape the summer heat and who love organising excursions surrounded by greenery and nature.

Also known as the “Little Tibet” for its striking landscapes, Campo Imperatore allows you to organise a range of activities outdoors, from hiking to mountaineering, from cycling to mountain biking.

Astronomy enthusiasts can visit the “Campo Imperatore Astronomical Observatory Station” at any time of year, a facility still used today for scientific research and public engagement activities located at the upper station of Campo Imperatore. Once up there, you shouldn’t miss a visit to the Alpine Botanical Garden, which covers an area of approximately 3500 square metres right next to the astronomical observatory. The garden is home to over 300 plant species, almost exclusively specimens suited to particularly challenging climatic and natural conditions.

Campo Imperatore is the starting point for numerous itineraries that traverse the Gran Sasso massif, as well as routes that allow you to reach the main villages in the area, such as Assergi, Calascio, Castel del Monte and Santo Stefano di Sessanio. Almost all of the available itineraries can be completed on foot, by bike or on horseback.

Don’t miss the Gran Sasso Horse Trail which makes a complete circuit around the massif, connecting the L’Aquila side to the Teramo side and then to the Pescara side. This circular route, equipped with rest areas, stretches approximately 300 km and can be tackled in stages on foot, horseback or mountain bike.

Where to stay at Campo Imperatore

Those who want to stay at the upper station of Campo Imperatore to wake up and head straight to the slopes can sleep at the Campo Imperatore Hostel, declared Europe’s highest hostel. Nearby is the historic Hotel Campo Imperatore, famous in history as the place where Benito Mussolini was held prisoner in 1943 before being liberated by a German commando.

Other facilities such as hotels and B&Bs are available in nearby towns such as Fonte Cerreto, Assergi and L’Aquila. Just over 100 metres from the cable car departure station at Fonte Cerreto you’ll also find a welcoming family-run campsite.

Recommended hotels in Fonte Cerreto and Assergi

How to get to Campo Imperatore

You can reach Fonte Cerreto, where the cable car to Campo Imperatore departs, either by car or by bus. The area, which also has car parks, is accessible by car from both north and south by taking the A14 first and then the A24. On the A24 you need to take the Assergi exit and then follow the signs for Campo Imperatore. From Rome you need to take the A24 towards L’Aquila until the Assergi exit, whilst those coming from Naples should first take the A1 and then the A24, again until Assergi.

The nearest railway station to Campo Imperatore is L’Aquila station on the Terni–L’Aquila–Sulmona railway line, which connects these three towns. L’Aquila is connected to Campo Imperatore by a local bus service provided by L’Aquila’s mobility company and known as “the Cable Car Bus”.

There are bus connections to Rome thanks to the Baltour, Flixbus and GoGoBus companies. In particular, GoGoBus organises a winter transport service for day trips to ski at Campo Imperatore, offering packages that include the return coach ticket and the ski pass.