Cammino Grande di Celestino
In the Footsteps of Hermit Pope: A Journey through History, Nature and Spirituality
The beating heart of Abruzzo comes alive along the Cammino Grande di Celestino, a pilgrimage route connecting L’Aquila to Ortona and offering a unique journey through history, nature, and spirituality. Stretching approximately 225 kilometres, the route passes through sites of extraordinary beauty and historical significance – including the Basilica di Collemaggio, the remarkable “Grotte di Stiffe” cave complex, medieval villages, and archaeological sites in the Valle dell’Aterno, before ascending the majestic Maiella massif with its hermitages and sanctuaries, and finally reaching the Adriatic coast.
This route follows in the footsteps of Pietro Angelerio, the hermit of the Maiella who became Pope Celestine V, offering a journey back in time to an era when faith and spirituality guided everyday life. The Cammino Grande di Celestino is more than a walking route, it is an opportunity to immerse yourself in a unique cultural and historical environment and to discover the natural beauty of Abruzzo.
Starting from the Basilica di Collemaggio, the heart of the Perdonanza Celestiniana (an annual celebration of plenary indulgence instituted by Pope Celestine V), walkers can explore a region full of charm, wandering through picturesque medieval villages such as Fontecchio and Beffi, admiring the historical remains in Corfinio, and ascending the Maiella massif, a true natural sanctuary. Here, among rock hermitages and panoramic trails, visitors can breathe an atmosphere of peace and serenity.
The Cammino Grande di Celestino traces its origins back to the route first established in 2018 at the initiative of the Parco Nazionale della Maiella, created to showcase the rock hermitages of the Maiella and Morrone. This section, around 90 kilometres long, is divided into six stages and runs through a UNESCO-recognised area of outstanding cultural and natural value, including the Maiella Global Geopark, the historical and religious celebration of the Perdonanza Celestiniana, and the traditional transhumance routes – elements that together make Abruzzo a truly unique region.
By walking the Cammino Grande di Celestino, visitors support sustainable tourism and help to preserve the cultural and environmental heritage of Abruzzo. This evolving project is set to expand: by 2025, the route is expected to link Rome to Vieste, creating an even longer and more captivating itinerary to explore the wonders of central Italy.
The Cammino Grande di Celestino can be completed in the following options (and a final Testimonium is awarded for each):
- L’Aquila – Ortona: 225 km > 13 days
- Sulmona – Serramonacesca (Classic Trail): 97 km > 6 days
- L’Aquila – Serramonacesca: 170.5 km > 10 days
- Sulmona – Ortona: 151.5 km > 9 days
