Garnì Astoria Hotel & SPA
Roccaraso - Via Pietransieri snc
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Situated at 1,236 metres altitude between the Maiella Park and the National Park of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga, Roccaraso is a renowned winter ski resort that attracts tourists from central and southern Italy alike. The town emerged towards the end of the 10th century around the Rasinus stream, from which the name Rocca Rasini is derived, which later became Roccaraso. For a long time this was a small town whose economy was based on agriculture and pastoral farming, but today it presents itself as a notable tourist destination.
This area of Abruzzo, in fact, knows how to appeal to different types of tourists, from sports enthusiasts to those seeking relaxation, from young couples to families, as it manages to combine various interests such as sport, nature, culture and leisure. From a small agricultural village, Roccaraso has become a highly coveted tourist destination thanks to the development of the railway network and facilities that took place between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By the beginning of the last century, it had already begun to attract skiing and mountain enthusiasts.
Roccaraso is considered the southern gateway to the Altopiano delle Cinque Miglia (Five Miles Plateau) and is known as one of the most important and best-equipped skiing destinations throughout the Apennines. However, thanks to its natural heritage, the town attracts visitors from all over Italy even during the summer season.
During winter, the Alto Sangro ski resort, of which Roccaraso is part, with its state-of-the-art facilities, attracts not only skiing enthusiasts but also snowboarders. Cross-country skiing trails, the possibility of ski touring and an ice rink complete the town’s tourist offerings. In summer, the green areas all around Roccaraso are full of trails that allow you to organise walks, trekking and excursions immersed in nature.
In winter, enthusiasts of winter sports from central and southern Italy usually come to have fun in Roccaraso, where it is possible to enjoy various activities on the snow. A paradise not only for skiers but also for snowboarders, Roccaraso is part of the Alto Sangro ski resort, which comprises five ski resorts in the province of L’Aquila: Barrea, Pescasseroli, Pescocostanzo, Rivisondoli and Roccaraso itself.
The Alto Sangro offers 110 km of groomed slopes at various levels, snowboard slopes and three cross-country ski loops (5-10-15 km) as well as the possibility of snowkiting. One of Roccaraso’s most famous winter areas, however, is undoubtedly the Pizzalto area, which ranges from 1,500 to 2,195 metres and is home to Rifugio Toppe del Tesoro, the highest refuge in the Alto Sangro Ski Pass resort. Here you can enjoy a breathtaking panorama and on sunny days it’s possible to dine outdoors and breathe in the crystal-clear mountain air.
Roccaraso’s ski area provides visitors with approximately 60 km of slopes of varying difficulty and is equipped with a cable car, 8 chairlifts and 12 drag lifts. These facilities are connected with those at the Rivisondoli-Monte Pratello station, where you can find another 48 km of slopes, all accessible with a single Skipass. The area also has mountain refuges and huts, both at altitude and in the valley, which are an ideal meeting place not only for skiers but also for those who wish to enjoy wonderful views.
Roccaraso is also home to the ice rink “Giuseppe Bolino”, where you can ice skate and where international-level skating championships and ice hockey matches are organised.
The Roccaraso ski resort is part of the Alto Sangro ski area, so the skipass you purchase allows you to ski all the slopes in the resort. There are various types of Skipass, such as morning, afternoon, daily, multi-day passes as well as monthly and seasonal passes. It is also possible to purchase it online or recharge your Skipass on the official website.
The town of Roccaraso, however, has developed a range of activities that attract many visitors during the summer season as well. From hiking excursions to horse riding, from cycling routes to those suitable for Nordic walking, Roccaraso is truly a destination that knows how to entertain different types of visitors. The town also hosts a large Bikepark with free-ride and downhill trails that attract many enthusiasts, and an Adventure Park where children can have fun surrounded by greenery.
There are numerous trails, some very easy and suitable for families with children, others more challenging and designed for more experienced hikers, which allow you to spend pleasant days immersed in nature. There are also routes suitable for cycling, whilst others are ideal for Nordic walking.
Some excursions are particularly interesting because they combine nature and history, such as trail no. 102, which bears signs of military positions dating back to the Second World War. Just outside the town centre, you’ll also find the Ombrellone chairlift, which in winter allows you to reach the ski slopes, whilst in summer it provides access to Rifugio Belisario and to various routes that can be undertaken at altitude, as well as a circuit for mountain biking.
For history lovers, we recommend making an excursion to the summit of Monte Zurrone, where you’ll find an observation post that was used by the Italian army’s artillery during the Second World War. In memory of the victims of the war, the summit of Monte Zurrone is home to the Sacrario ai Caduti Senza Croce, dedicated to all those who fell in the Second World War and were not given a proper burial.
Roccaraso was also one of the towns included in the Gustav Line, and it was here that the Germans carried out a terrible massacre, coldly killing hundreds of citizens without clear justification. It is possible to reach the summit either by car or on foot via a long flight of steps. From the mountain’s peak, you can also enjoy a wonderful 360-degree view of the entire surrounding territory.
At the Ombrellone location, a short distance from the town centre, there is an Adventure Park where children and teenagers can have fun on four agility courses of varying difficulty. The Park is set in the green of the pine forest and the courses have been built between the trees with ropes, suspended bridges and other activities.
Near the Adventure Park there is also an archery centre where you can learn to use this ancient weapon through various skill-testing activities.
There is a vast network of trails in Roccaraso that lends itself to cycling, and there are numerous shops that allow you to rent bikes, mountain bikes or e-bikes to explore the area.
The town offers various routes ranging from the simplest on flat terrain, such as the circular route linking Roccaraso to Rivisondoli, to more challenging ones or mountain bike trails. There are also trails starting from Roccaraso that allow you to reach Aremogna, where you can follow routes along the ski slopes.
Roccaraso offers a truly wide choice of accommodation from which to choose based on the type of stay you decide to make. Skiing and winter sports enthusiasts can choose to stay in the Aremogna or Pizzalto areas to have quick access to the ski slopes.
Those who wish to remain in town to enjoy its wonderful atmosphere and services can stay in the Roccaraso town centre area, where there are many hotels offering excellent hospitality.
As Roccaraso is a much sought-after destination, especially during winter holidays, the advice is always to book your stay in advance, so you are sure to find the accommodation most suited to your needs.
Roccaraso is a small town that has much to offer visitors who love both culture and nature. Unfortunately, this medieval village perched on a hillside was composed of stone dwellings and buildings crammed together and small stone chapels which were largely destroyed during the Second World War. Currently still worth visiting are the medieval village of Pietransieri, the Baroque church of San Rocco and the church of San Bernardino.
The centre of Roccaraso is also home to a wonderful entertainment spot for children, known as il Pratone, which is a play park equipped with various free attractions and surrounded entirely by greenery.
One of the best times to visit Roccaraso is definitely the Christmas period when the atmosphere in town becomes magical and the main square is set up with stalls and stands selling food and wine products and handicrafts. On New Year’s Eve, moreover, mountain lovers can choose to dine at altitude in one of the numerous huts that organise festive dinners and entertainment activities, whilst in the town centre various restaurants plan dinners and shows to welcome the new year.
Roccaraso is easily accessible by car, train or bus from the main cities in central Italy. If you’re travelling by car from Rome, take the A24 motorway (Rome – L’Aquila) and then the A25 motorway towards Avezzano – Pescara. After exiting at the Pratola Peligna-Sulmona toll booth, continue on the SS17 in the direction of Roccaraso.
From Naples, take the A1 motorway northbound, exit at the Caianello toll booth and continue first towards Venafro and then towards Castel di Sangro-Roccaraso. From Bari, take the A14 (Bari – Pescara) towards Foggia and then take the exit for the A25 until the Pratola Peligna-Sulmona exit, then continue in the direction of Roccaraso.
The nearest airport is Abruzzo Airport, located in Pescara, approximately 105 km from Roccaraso. From there you can reach the town by car on the A25 motorway in the direction of Rome, exiting at the Pratola Peligna toll booth and then taking the SS 17 towards Sulmona-Roccaraso, or via the TUA coach company’s services.
Those who wish to reach the town by coach from Rome can do so thanks to the inter-regional lines of the Pstar company, which connects the capital to Roccaraso via Sulmona. The TUA company, on the other hand, connects the regions of Abruzzo, Molise and Campania with its coach services, in particular the cities of Pescara, Roccaraso, Caserta, Naples and Salerno.
Roccaraso also has a railway station with connections to Abruzzese cities such as Castel di Sangro, Rivisondoli-Pescocostanzo and Pescara, as well as to other cities in central and southern Italy such as Naples and Rome.
What's the weather at Roccaraso? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Roccaraso for the next few days.
Roccaraso is a charming village nestled in the Abruzzo hinterland, roughly 100 km from L'Aquila, 143 km from Naples and 200 km from Rome.
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