A family outing in the Camosciara reserve, in Abruzzo. In detail we explain how to get there, where to park and how to see the falls where you can have a picnic and have fun with the family. A weekend in one of the most beautiful and least known villages in Abruzzo.
La Camosciara is near Pescasseroli, in Abruzzo, where mountains surround wide valleys and it is not uncommon to see eagles flying low near the fronds of trees that seem to touch the clouds. Between climbing villages and lots of greenery, there are several places to walk and enjoy the peace of Abruzzo mountain.
La La Camosciara Nature Reserve it is one of those, an equipped area where you can spend an alternative day among trails, outdoor picnics, waterfalls and horseback riding.
How to get
To get to La Camosciara, follow the indications for Civitella Alfedena and pay attention to the arrow (a bit too small for my taste), which on the road will sharply indicate you to turn towards what will be the parking lot to access the La Camosciara integral reserve area, inside the National Park of Abruzzo.
The service area
As soon as you arrive you will find the area equipped for light fires and prepare the embers in a safe and secure way, picnic tables and some food outlets. Many games for children are also available. Parking for cars and campers costs 4 euros per vehicle and allows you to stop all day in the open space adjacent to the picnic area. In this area it is possible to rent bicycles, (very fun the tandems in two sizes, a large and a small bike, suitable for parents and children) to leave for thehorseback riding among secondary paths immersed in the woods, or buy the train ticket for 3 euros per person that will take you in an absolutely relaxing and fun way, along the path of about 3 km that arrives at the innermost point of the La Camosciara Park, where you can then start the short hike to the two waterfalls.
The botanical path on foot
To reach the highest square, where you can take the path that leads to the waterfalls, you have to take a journey of about 3km starting from the parking and picnic area. As I told you there are many possibilities to make the journey less tiring and more fun for children and families, but the road is really well maintained and paved and therefore it is also very nice to do it on foot, enjoying the mountains and the greenery that surrounds the all and observing the various local flora and fauna, indicated by information signs.
The wide path is clearly of low difficulty, smoothly suitable for families with strollers and walkable calmly with the possibility of stopping on benches placed on the sides of the road or simply on the large surrounding meadows surmounted by high mountain peaks. We have often seen foxes approaching curiously, always keeping a safe distance from man, but letting themselves be photographed with their clever but very tender face. The children looked at them in delight.
Halfway through, you will begin to hear the water of the stream flowing fresh and fast. Cycle paths of low difficulty and pedestrian paths of medium-low difficulty open up on the sides of the main road, for those who want to climb a little further into the mountain. Staying on the main road, after about 3km of walking, slightly uphill but very feasible, you will reach the main clearing. Here in addition to take the train for the descent, you can stop in the small bar and souvenir shop, with free tables where you can eat something, even brought from home, perhaps before taking the paths of the falls. In fact, from this square you can walk two paths: that of the waterfalls and that of the belvedere, both very suggestive, short and not very demanding.
The paths of the falls
Le waterfalls of the Nymphs and the Tre Cannelle are the protagonists of the most beaten paths of the Camosciara. Perhaps because they are short and very suggestive, immersed in the beech forest and dotted with tree roots that draw the pavement, between bridges and the stream that runs parallel. These too are suitable for everyone, of course, more bumpy than the paved road, but also very fun for children, who with an adult can safely climb like little explorers until they reach the two waterfalls. The first, smaller and always lush, the second much higher but in late summer often drier and therefore less impressive.
The Camosciara area is a place where calm and unspoiled nature reign. Leaving the noisier picnic area, you will feel like you have entered a place detached from any daily noise. The cell phone has no range and no means of transport, apart from the little train that goes down and up not too often to annoy the walkers, disturbs the quiet of this glimpse rich in flora and fauna of the Abruzzo National Park.
- experienced hikers they will find it too easy perhaps, but for those who want a day outdoors, away from the chaos, to walk in the mountains and with services for families and children, this place is ideal. The park is open from April to September, but there are many initiatives organized throughout the year. Consult the site of the integral reserve of Camosciara, where in addition to discovering the paths and services offered, you will be updated on events - such as snowshoeing and winter and summer trekking, night visits and thematic routes - often organized by the cooperative that takes care of this area of the Abruzzo National Park.
