Immerse yourself in unspoiled nature, admire endless vistas, catch a glimpse of wild animals and discover stories and places of a bygone era. This and much more are offered by trekking in the Mainarde Apennine range. Its mountains, in the middle of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, divide and at the same time unite the three regions.
The numerous trails allow starting from different points while the extension allows treks of even several kilometers or more treks even in successive days.
The two highest peaks in Molise, Monte Mare, 2124 meters, and Metuccia, 2,105 meters, fit into this context. The views encroach into different regions, allowing the eye to touch the two seas, not surprisingly the name of the first mentioned.
The time is always perfect for a trek in the Mainarde Mountains, but for an extra experience we recommend the September-October period when the deer go in love and it is not difficult to hear the bramble echoing through the woods and rocks.
Numerous animals are present in these mountains. Having said deer, there is no shortage of wolves and bears as well as chamois, roe deer and golden eagles. There is also no shortage of other species easily found in other mountains.
Regarding places three are worth visiting at least once. Two of these, both in the territory of Rocchetta a Volturno, are within a short distance. These are the summit of Monte Marrone, where the newly reformed Italian army fought and defeated the German army during World War II, and Moulin’s hut. This is none other than the home of a French painter who fell in love with the place in the early 1900s and decided to live on these peaks almost in hermitage.
Another site to visit, reached by a not very long but fairly steep path, is the hermitage of San Michele a Foce in the territory of Castel San Vincenzo. A church nestled in the rock with a breathtaking view of the lake of Castel San Vincenzo and much of the Volturno valley.