Discover Lucoli: Hiking Trails, Churches and Festivals

Lucoli lies on the northern edge of the Sirente Velino Regional Nature Park. The mountains in the area offer opportunities for hiking. There are also historic churches, annual processions and a cheese dairy offering cheese production and tastings.

Hiking and Trails

The unpaved Via San Martinello leads from Lucoli Alto through meadows and wooded areas, descending about three kilometres to the village of San Martinello. The approximate distance and named destination provide practical guidance for planning the route. As trail conditions may vary, check them before setting out and take the unpaved surface into account.

An unpaved path right beside the S. Antonio chapel leads to Peschio Cancelli. The Peschio Cancelli route can be continued on an unpaved path as far as Casamaina. Another path leads to the summit of Monte Rotondo at 2,064 metres. These offer different reference points for planning a hike: an approximate trail length, an option to continue to Casamaina or a summit destination with its elevation given.

Churches and Festivals

San Menna is the oldest church in Lucoli. It houses a processional cross made by the goldsmith Paolo di Meo Quadraro, who came from Sulmona; the cross dates from the early 15th century. After extensive restoration work, San Menna reopened for worship in 2001. If you would like to visit the church, check current access arrangements.

The Abbey of San Giovanni Battista also offers several points of historical interest: its origins date back to 1077, and the abbey houses the Farina organ, dating from 1500. The restoration of the Basilica of San Giovanni Battista returned it to its original style in 1994.

The Fiaccolata di San Michele Arcangelo takes place every year on 31 December. A torchlight procession descends from the small church on the hill to the square in Vado Lucoli. Every year on 16 August, the statue of the Blessed is carried through the Colle district to the Abbey of San Giovanni during the procession for the Festa della Beata Cristina. The two celebrations differ in their format: one centres on the downhill torchlight procession, while the other features a procession with the statue.

Cheese and Tastings

The production facilities and main shop of Caseificio Campo Felice are in Collimento di Lucoli. The company states that it has been producing cheese in Lucoli since 1972, using only fresh milk from the Conca Aquilana. At La Casetta del Caseificio in Campo Felice, you can sample hot sandwiches and platters of cheese and cured meats, as well as wine and beer.

Activities in Campo Felice

The Campo Felice ski area in Abruzzo offers alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding. In Campo Felice, you can also go on excursions on foot or on horseback.

A chairlift provides access to Chalet del Bosco. As the lift operates seasonally, check before travelling to see whether it is running.

Discover more destinations: Ortona dei Marsi, Assergi, Gagliano Aterno, Carsoli, Paganica, Roccacasale, Scanno, Collepietro.

For the main travel overview: L-Aquila.