Ovindoli Park Hotel & SPA
Ovindoli - Via Del Ceraso 178
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A small village perched at 1,375 metres altitude, Ovindoli is actually renowned for the presence of Monte Magnola, an important tourist resort that attracts visitors both in winter and summer.
Ovindoli is located within the Sirente-Velino Regional Nature Park, in what is known as the “Altopiano delle Rocche” (Rocky Plateau), a territory surrounded almost entirely by Apennine peaks. The town, thanks to its natural heritage, attracts tourists not only in winter for the skiing area of Monte Magnola but also in summer thanks to the numerous hiking routes and trails to explore on foot or by bicycle.
The Ovindoli winter sports resort, known as Ovindoli - Monte Magnola1, is located approximately 2 km from the town’s historic centre at an altitude ranging from 1,450 to 2,220 metres. Thanks to its north-facing position, the resort allows for skiing between 130 and 150 days per year, from early December to early May.
This is an ideal destination for those who love winter sports such as alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, freestyle, freeride, snowkiting and Nordic walking. With 21 runs of varying difficulty levels extending for approximately 30 km and a snow park (split into two areas: Magnola Snow-Park at 1,980 metres and the Lower-park at 1,650 metres), the Ovindoli-Magnola resort is one of the most popular ski destinations for enthusiasts from central and southern Italy.
The resort is equipped with advanced artificial snow-making systems and features 11 state-of-the-art ski lifts, several ski and snowboard schools, and equipment rental services. It’s also thrilling to have the opportunity to enjoy night-time skiing, available on at least two runs in the resort: Dolce Vita and Topolino.
The area also has several mountain refuges and valley-based huts. At altitude, in particular, there is the Chalet-Rifugio Anfiteatro, which has 10 bedrooms with direct views of the ski slopes.
Ovindoli-Monte Magnola resort offers various ski-pass options, including daily passes, multi-day passes, and monthly and seasonal subscriptions. You can also purchase them online or top up your Ski-Pass on the official website.
There is also a seasonal pass called the “Skipass dei Parchi” (Parks Ski Pass), which allows you to ski at Ovindoli-Monte Magnola, Campo Felice and Gran Sasso d’Italia, and the “Skipass Nevi Gemelle” (Twin Snows Ski Pass), which allows you to ski at Ovindoli-Monte Magnola and Gran Sasso d’Italia.
Ovindoli is a truly versatile and multifaceted destination that attracts visitors and tourists throughout the year. Whilst in winter many come to Ovindoli to enjoy winter sports, in summer the town reveals itself as the ideal place to escape the summer heat and enjoy adventures immersed in greenery and nature.
Ovindoli offers a wealth of facilities for various outdoor activities ranging from horse riding to mountaineering, from trekking to free climbing.
Ovindoli is an area rich in itineraries and routes of varying length and difficulty that can be explored on foot or by bike. Both families with children and serious trekking enthusiasts will find walks suited to their needs in Ovindoli. There are also several riding schools in town that offer the chance to go on horseback excursions surrounded by nature.
Within the Sirente-Velino Regional Nature Park there are really straightforward itineraries that lead from the ski lift area down to Ovindoli’s historic centre. Alternatively, you can explore the Val d'Arano2 area both via a simple circular route of around 6 km, which offers magnificent mountain views, or with longer and more challenging routes.
The Aielli-Celano Gorges3 are a striking and naturalistic canyon located within the Sirente-Velino Regional Nature Park, between the municipalities of Aielli, Ovindoli and Celano. Here, the flow of the Rio La Foce stream has shaped these rocky walls through erosion over the years. Within the gorges there are two routes: one more suited to hiking and the other more suitable for experienced adventurers.
This nature trail is also home to various particularly fascinating animal species such as griffon vultures, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, squirrels and several wild boar. If you start from Ovindoli, the route will be entirely downhill with a descent of 572 metres, whereas if you start from Celano, the route is uphill.
Situated between the municipalities of Ovindoli and Rocca di Mezzo, Piani di Pezza4 is a karst plateau five kilometres long covered with beech forests and other centuries-old trees. Located in the heart of the Sirente-Velino Regional Nature Park at an altitude of 1,500 metres, Piani di Pezza is surrounded by the imposing peaks of the Abruzzo Apennines.
There are several marked itineraries departing directly from the plateau, and for the more experienced, it’s possible to reach the Rifugio Sebastiani5 (2,102 metres), where you can enjoy a splendid view of the entire surrounding valley. The refuge not only has a dining area but also offers beds for overnight stays. The fauna of Piani di Pezza is characterised by the presence of various animal species including the Marsican wolf, golden eagle, griffon vulture and bear.
The Ovindoli Fun Park6 is spread across a green equipped area within the Sirente-Velino Regional Nature Park. The Adventure Park features 7 fun-packed routes for children and teenagers who can spend an enjoyable day in the open air and surrounded by nature, negotiating suspended bridges, cables, pulleys and trails that test their agility.
The Ovindoli–Rocca di Cambio cycle path runs across the Altopiano delle Rocche at an altitude of 1,350–1,400 metres and is considered the highest cycle path in central Italy. Developed almost entirely across flat terrain, the path is mostly immersed in natural greenery and is approximately 35 km long.
The itinerary allows you to pass through many towns in the area besides Ovindoli, including Rovere, Rocca di Mezzo, Rocca di Cambio, Terranera and San Panfilo d’Ocre. Along the route there are also rest stops with tables and benches where you can enjoy lunch or a snack.
The Historic Centre of Ovindoli7 lies at the foot of Monte Magnola and is an ancient village whose name most likely derives from “Ovis” – meaning sheep – an origin that indicates how pastoral activity has always characterised the town’s economy. The village, given its position, has always held strategic importance as it was a transit and rest point for transhumance towards the coast.
The upper part of the village still preserves part of the town walls with Porta Mutiati, which once allowed entry to the fortified village; whilst at Santa Jona, a hamlet of Ovindoli, there is still a circular lookout tower built between the 13th and 14th centuries to strengthen the defensive system.
The main place of worship in Ovindoli is the Church of San Sebastiano8, located in the ancient part of the village and dating between the 15th and 16th centuries. Inside the church are preserved precious 15th-century sacred furnishings, a polychrome terracotta statue of the Virgin Mary seated on a throne in the act of adoring the Child, and a gilded stucco statue of San Sebastiano dating from the 17th century.
Between Ovindoli and Celano, perched dramatically on the rock face, lie the remains of a fortress dating back to the 11th century.
Another point of interest in the town is undoubtedly the Monument to the Alpine Troops, built in honour of the town’s war dead. It stands at one of the most scenic viewpoints from which you can enjoy a wonderful view across the entire Fucino basin.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Ovindoli boasts a wide choice of accommodation options. In winter, for those wanting to ski or snowboard, it’s certainly more practical to find a place to stay close to the lifts. For the most enthusiastic, you can also stay at the Chalet-Rifugio Anfiteatro perched on top of Monte Magnola, where you can access the slopes directly.
The historic centre of Ovindoli, meanwhile, is just a couple of kilometres from the lifts but is where you’ll find several restaurants for evening meals and various shops for shopping. The nearby villages such as Rocca di Mezzo and Rovere can also serve as an excellent base for reaching Ovindoli, as can Celano, which is however further away and at a lower altitude.
Ovindoli is easily accessible by car from the main cities throughout Italy. From L’Aquila, take Strada Statale 5bis for approximately 8 km, then SP38 and finally Strada Statale 696 in the direction of Ovindoli. From Rome, the town is easily reached by taking the A24 then the A25 towards Pescara until you reach the Aielli-Celano exit towards Celano, then continue along Strada Statale 696.
From Naples, take the A1 towards Rome until the Cassino motorway exit, then continue along the Cassino–Sora–Avezzano expressway and finally exit at Avezzano Centro to take Strada Statale 696.
The nearest airport is Abruzzo Airport located in Pescara approximately 110 km away; from here you can reach Ovindoli by car via the A25 to the Aielli-Celano exit and then along SS 696. For those who prefer to travel by train, the nearest stations are Celano or Avezzano, which are connected to Ovindoli by buses run by the regional TUA company.
There are bus connections from Rome provided by GoGoBus, allowing you to visit Ovindoli even on a day trip. In winter, there are also packages that include the return bus fare and ski pass. The TUA company offers bus connections between Ovindoli, Rome, Avezzano and Celano.
What's the weather at Ovindoli? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Ovindoli for the next few days.
Ovindoli is a charming small village in Abruzzo, nestled among the dramatic peaks of the Apennine Mountains. The town lies approximately 37.5 km from L'Aquila, 140 km from Rome and 200 km from Naples.
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