In the heart of Central Apennines Spring appears to the eyes of the visitor as an unfolding display of colours, expanding day by day from below and gradually encompassing the entire mountain scenery.
April’s showers make the vegetation lush so for some herbivores species it is time to nurse the new-borns while Bears linger in the mixed forest either nibbling on hornbeams shoots or digging through the litter for acorns and beechnuts.
Compared to most brown bear habitats on the Planet the limited area of the Central Apennines means that the lives of our Marsican bears are closely linked to the surrounding landscape. During this experience we’ll spend four days learning about their habits and territories.
Details
CountryItaly
Duration (in days)4
Itinerary
DAY 1 – The Abruzzo National Park, the last Italian Bear stronghold
Free arrival in Pescasseroli, in the afternoon, settling in at the hotel and presentation of the guide. At 4pm, departure for a first easy hike until sunset. In the evening, return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
2 hours walk · 4 km length · 200 m climb · 200 m descent
DAY 2 – A bear spring landscape
Departure at sunrise for a close-by wildlife watching session. After a hearty breakfast we embark on a delightful excursion through the forests of bear country. Surrounded by the astonishing beauty of the luxuriant mountain scenery, these well-preserved forest habitats closely represent the actual primordial stage of the beech-forest ecosystem in the Apennines. We’ll get to know the inhabitants of our beech woods ecosystem. We may not see any wild animals, but our guide will show you many interesting signs of them: bears, wolves, pine martens… they all live here and we are nothing but the humble visitors in their home. Return to the hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
5 hours walk · 9 km length · 400 m climb · 400 m descent
DAY 3 – Snow water
Last day’s adventure ended late, but bears usually move very early in the morning! After a good coffee we will set off for a wildlife watching session in the Southern area of the park. Once the sun is high on the horizon we’ll head to the nearest village to pack our equipment and prepare for the next long excursion to the karst area of Lago Vivo, a small natural lake fed by the melting snow water. A long descent will take us to the enchanting springs of the Rio Torto, located in a cave where pure waters flows. We’ll return to the hotel in the late afternoon to relax. Dinner and overnight stay.
5 hours walk · 13 km length · 400 m climb · 400 m descent
DAY 4 – Beyond the park
As a result of improved ecological conditions outside the national Park, our bears stories are no longer confined to the boundaries of the protected area but extend further into the areas that the species is slowly reclaiming. On our last day together, we’ll explore some of the areas on the borders of the National Park to see first-hand the actions and the efforts being made to improve the coexistence between human activities and wildlife in the so-called Bear Smart communities. End of activities in the afternoon, departure of participants.
5 hours walk · 9 km length · 300 m climb · 300 m descent
What's Included?
Guide and organisation
Hotel accommodation
Dinner and breakfast
Nikon Prostaff 8×42 binoculars
Professional indemnity insurance
Not Included:
Lunches
Any transports
Personal Travel insurance
Extra and personal expenses
How your experience helps rewilding efforts
For over fifteen years, Wildlife Adventures has offered experiences that bring people closer to nature while supporting conservation initiatives and providing economic opportunities for local communities.
We protect biodiversity, enhance local communities and promote responsible tourism experiences
Authentic experiences for a sustainable future. For us, sustainability is not just a guiding principle, but a true philosophy that informs everything we do.
Dates & Duration
30 April 2026 (4 days - 3 nights)
30 May 2026 (4 days - 3 nights)
Seasonal Availability
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Food & Stay
Accommodation is pre-arranged by our tour leader in a small, charming, family-run hotel, in shared double rooms.
Lunch is not included, you will buy packed lunches each morning from the guesthouse or local shops and bakeries to take with you. For dinner you'll enjoy traditional Italian dishes such as maccheroni alla chitarra - a special kind of spaghetti, soup with orapi (wild spinach) and beans, gnocchetti and grilled meat. The region has a strong sheep-farming culture, so there are many local dairy products such as pecorino, ricotta, caciocavallo and a rare goat's cheese called marzolina.
Requests for vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for: please do not forget to advise us of these preferences at the time of booking.
Languages spoken
English
Italian
Difficulty
Moderate
Group size
4-12 people
What to Bring
It is advisable to dress in layers so that you can lighten your clothing during the day. Even in high summer, warm and windproof clothing is required at sunset. Waterproof hiking boots are mandatory and you will not be allowed to join the excursion if you do not have them. Only use odourless insect repellent spray and sunscreen.
Daypack (25+ litres)
Raincover
Waterproof jacket with hood
Fleece jacket or similar
Warm jacket
Hiking trousers
Technical t-shirts
Hiking boots
Warm hat
Thin gloves
Waterproof overtrousers
Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
Water bottles or water bladder
This experience involves
Hiking
Wildlife tracking
Birdwatching
Herbivores in this landscape
Chamois
Red deer
Roe deer
European rabbit
Carnivores in this landscape
Grey wolf
Brown bear
Wildcat
Scavengers and other large birds in this landscape
Griffon vulture
Golden eagle
Fish/crayfish/molluscs in this landscape
Trout
White-clawed crayfish
Location
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About the listing author
Hello, I'm Wildlife Adventures.
Wildlife Adventures is now a well-established ecotourism tour operator in Central Europe. It is a company born from a deep passion for nature and a desire to protect what is most precious to us. Now, we will guide you through the wild nature of the Central Apennines.
Wildlife Adventures is now a well-established ecotourism tour operator in Central Europe. It is a company born from a deep passion for nature and a desire to protect what is most precious to us. Now, we will guide you through the wild nature of the Central Apennines.
Time of the Bear- Springtime in the wild heart of Italy
