Val Fondillo is one of the most beautiful and popular places around the Abruzzo National Park, Lazio and Molise. Extensive forests of beech, natural rarities, green glades where it still graze in the wild cows and horses, They are the frame of this enchanted woods that seems a fairy painting.
Its ancient name was Fontilli sources; indeed, along the valley, in addition to the five main sources are lots of smaller veins that together, with their excellent water to drink, feeding the stream Fondillo.
the valley, with altitude between 1084 e 1960 s.l.m., close near the town Caves Fondillo, then it opens out and forms a real amphitheater flanked by M. Amaro ( 1862 m) e M. Doubt (1702 m), connected to each other by the large Serra of Gravare that acts as a protective crown.
One of the most charming places of the trek is the Grotta delle Fate, a natural cavity created by water erosion and the name comes from the environment in which is located, indeed, between the water, the green, the moss and the great beech trees seems a magical and charming place.
Along the way you can spot wildlife: deer, deer and even the Brown Bear.
The day after having played a beautiful hike, I always think to Friday afternoon, specifically at 19.00, when ending the work week and thinking about the mountaineer weekend waiting for me the expression on my face changes, It relaxes and is enriched as it was the start of a fantastic day, but it really is the end of a week of boring routine.
We are in autumn, nature before taking leave for invigorating winter rest, She greets us by wearing a dress from the warm yellow-reddish colors; every plant expresses it with different shades of giving priceless beauty landscapes.
The alarm sounds, it's 5.00 am is spurt of joy and energy from every pore, crazy!. After an adequate breakfast and found myself to have taken all the necessary, I go down the stairs and go into the car waiting for my faithful companion of adventures. Finally, if part, two hours and our day will begin in the beautiful woods of the National Park of Abruzzo.
The former saw mill at the entrance of Val Fondillo. Behind the Monte Marsicano
The chosen path is the F1 from Val Fondillo (1080 m s.l.m.) It leads to the summit of Mount Amaro (1863 m s.l.m.), a scenic ridge that is wedged between Mount Marsicano (highest peak in the Park) and the rocky ridges of the Serra of Gravare.
The time is variable, mostly cloudy, occasionally the thick blanket of white clouds let penetrate the light beams that illuminate small areas of woodland or meadow. light games that stimulate the imagination of the photographer who at all costs want to immortalize that moment to share with friends, family members or readers of his personal blog.
Val Fondillo
After about half an hour we enter the thick beech forest that has largely already lost their leaves, thus forming a soft natural carpet that softens our steps like a soft mattress. In path it is steadily but not steep climb and stretches along the ridge west of Mount Amaro. The indication at the base of the path reports that the summit is only two hours' walk, but with just a knowing look and me and my traveling companion we already know that we will capture the beauty of nature to such an extent as to prolong, and very, the time it takes to conquer the summit. “Chick you brought the torch?”, “Yes yes I brought!”; we both know that we risked doing night :).
Beech forest in autumn as during the climb.
After about two hours of climbing in the beech forest the trees begin to thin out. Here, the temperatures only more rigid and the most impetuous winds, We can see it from bearing more prostrate and contorted beeches. Now the trees give way to the primary high-altitude meadows, where they can develop only a few species of dwarf shrubs such as juniper and mountain pine, Besides several grass species, mainly of the grass family. This is also the realm of the Apennine Chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata) that this season begins to give up the cliffs to graze the edge of the woods and meadows above them. Monte Amaro has a large colony of these wonderful animals, of facts we meet once a few copies just by the wayside.
A magnificent specimen of Chamois on the edge of the beech forest.
We continue the journey after we covered for well because the pressure of a fresh and sustained wind breathing from north, and after looking for a few more minutes chamois intent to graze along with some other exemplary. Once on the long ridge of Mount Amaro, the landscape opens to 360 °. From this privileged location you can enjoy a wonderful view on all major mountain ranges that make up the Park of Abruzzo. By Marsicano to Petroso, from the crests of Monte Quiet Lake Barrea, truly a sight to take your breath away.
The crest of Mount Amaro. Below the village of Opi.
We continue the journey and as we climb the wind is getting stronger. We make a further stop to cover us better, We sfoderiamo our whole arsenal of technical equipment to better face the cold wind which sometimes makes it difficult to maintain the balance. The ridge of Mount Amaro consists of an anti-summit and a summit, almost at the same level, It makes me think of a sort of big camel in the most beautiful oasis in the desert. We proceed slowly aware that the tops are now almost reached, Here the trail becomes steep and winding through the white and sharp limestone rocks. E’ here that once again we encounter a large herd of chamois intent to graze on the south side of the ridge, well sheltered from the cold wind.
Herd of chamois intent on grazing in the meadows below the summit of Mount Amaro
After this last stop we aim straight for the top which is now before our eyes. One last rocky step and we, finally the summit full of joy, as well as shivering, dalla quale possiamo lanciare il nostro sguardo in ogni direzione ed emozionarci per un’altro piccolo traguardo raggiunto, questa si che è vita!. Dopo aver svolto il rituale bacio della croce e fatto una fotografia come ricordo, il nostro pensiero si sposta totalmente nel trovare un buon punto riparato e consumare il nostro meritato panino con frittata patate e cipolle, che bontà!.
I compagni di viaggio in vetta. (fotomontaggio 🙂 )
Terminato il pranzo rinvigorente e ri-energizzante, zaino in spalla, e ci rimettiamo in cammino per tornare in dietro verso la Val Fondillo. Il ritorno è ancora un susseguirsi di scorci, soste per osservare panorami, bacche, foglie variopinte ed abbracciare colossali alberi che troneggiano nel bosco come custodi di questo meraviglioso regno vegetale. Here I am reminded of a wonderful Rousseau phrase that perfectly describes the perception that I had of this day surrounded by nature: ” I love to watch nature paint what I see”. A wonderful autumn day that will remain forever in one of the many drawers of memories that my mind retains with love. I dedicate the last picture of this reportage to Monte Amaro, that bitterness has only the obligation of having to go away from its sinuous and colorful slopes.
