Morino – Karst Spring, Trails and Cultural Heritage

If you are planning a stay in Morino, its natural surroundings and cultural heritage offer different points of interest. The municipality is home to the 1,025-hectare Zompo lo Schioppo Regional Nature Reserve. The reserve’s highlights include a karst spring, forest, underground karst formations and hiking trails; historical landmarks can be found in Morino Vecchio, among other places.

Karst Spring, Waterfall and Forest

Zompo lo Schioppo is an intermittent karst spring that dries up during the summer and autumn months each year. Its water plunges more than 130 metres down a steep limestone wall, forming the highest natural waterfall in the Apennines. The reserve’s underground water system includes caves, karst valleys, shafts and sinkholes. Extensive beech forests and karst features such as swallow holes also shape the area. Part of the reserve lies within the Monte Viglio – Zompo lo Schioppo – Pizzo Deta Site of Community Importance.

Trails and Orientation in the Nature Reserve

The reserve has themed trails with a lower difficulty level for inexperienced hikers, children and older people. It also offers longer hiking trails marked by the CAI. Choose your route according to your hiking experience and the demands of the specific trail you select; check trail conditions locally.

The Lo Schioppo, Piano Sacramento and La Fossa picnic areas have tables, benches, fire pits, sanitary facilities and a refreshment area. In Grancia, the Centro Visita e Museo Naturalistico della Riserva presents karst caves, how people have used the reserve over time, the beech forest and the rock faces. The centre also offers environmental education workshops and camps, aimed particularly at younger visitors.

Historical Landmarks of Morino

Morino Vecchio is a ghost town linked to the story of a community that moved farther down the valley to continue living. Notable remains include the bell tower of Santa Maria Bambina. Remains of the Church of San Rocco have also survived, including an underground ossuary.

The Cauto Trail leads to the rock church of Santa Maria del Cauto, which features frescoes dating from the late 12th century. Only a few ruins remain of the Church of San Pietro in Brecciose near Morino. Its name first appears between 1060 and 1063. The dates refer to different things: for San Pietro, they refer to the earliest recorded appearance of the name; for Santa Maria del Cauto, they refer to the frescoes.

Spring Tradition and Getting There

In spring, the Pro Loco di Rendinara holds a cheese festival. Tastings feature local pecorino made using traditional methods. If you would like to include the festival in your trip, check the exact dates in advance.

From the north, you can reach the reserve via the A25 to the Avezzano exit, then take the Superstrada del Liri towards Sora. Morino is about 15 minutes from the exit. Road conditions and journey times may vary; check conditions before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Tagliacozzo, Carapelle Calvisio, Gagliano Aterno, Barisciano, Santo Stefano Di Sessanio, Gioia Dei Marsi, Scurcola Marsicana, Sant'Elia

For the main travel overview: L-Aquila.