Roccaraso: Ski Resort, Mountain Landscape and Historic Churches

Roccaraso Between Winter and Remembrance

Roccaraso combines winter sports with mountain landscapes and historic sites. Its districts are also part of this picture: the Monti Pizzi–Pietra Cernaia circular hiking trail begins in Pietransieri, while an adventure park is located in the pine forest of Ombrellone.

Winter Sports with Several Areas

In winter, Roccaraso’s ski resort, with its three ski areas Aremogna, Monte Pratello and Monte Pizzalto, takes center stage. It comprises 58 slopes with a total length of almost 147 kilometers, as well as 38 ski lifts. In addition, the ski resort has 60 kilometers of cross-country ski trails. Winter planning can therefore determine whether the focus should be on downhill skiing, cross-country trails or both areas.

Mountain Trails and Outdoor Activities

The Monti Pizzi–Pietra Cernaia circular hiking trail begins in Pietransieri, a district of Roccaraso. The Pietra Cernaia, at an elevation of 1,785 meters, lies along this circular trail. For a day of hiking, the elevation of the Pietra Cernaia at 1,785 meters is a different planning consideration from the five high-rope courses in the pine forest. When planning the day for the circular trail from Pietransieri, the elevation of the Pietra Cernaia provides a specific reference point for organizing the hiking day. The Parco Avventura di Roccaraso complements the range of outdoor activities with five high-rope courses in the pine forest in the Ombrellone district. In Pietransieri, the circular trail is therefore the main attraction, while in Ombrellone it is a pine forest with high-rope courses.

Churches and Places of Remembrance

The Chiesa di San Rocco holds a special place in the town’s history: it is the only building in Roccaraso to have survived the last war. Its origins date back to 1656, when it was built as a votive offering by the inhabitants who had survived the plague. Every year, on the last Sunday in June, the “Giornata del Ricordo” takes place on Monte Zurrone. The Sacrario Monte Zurrone is also located there, dedicated to the 145,000 fallen on all the battlefields of the Second World War who could not be given a dignified grave, memorial plaque or cross. Monte Zurrone is therefore the site of both the annual “Giornata del Ricordo” and the memorial shrine.

Other religious sites add to the town’s history. The Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta houses an original silver statue of Saint Hippolytus, the patron saint of Roccaraso. In Pietransieri, the Chiesa di San Bartolomeo dates from the 18th century. The Chiesa di San Bernardino was built in 1851. The votive offering of 1656, the church from the 18th century and the construction of 1851 represent several historical periods of origin.

Other Places in the Surrounding Area

Raiano, Rovere, Spineta, Cappadocia, Rocca Di Mezzo, Campo Di Giove, Lucoli and Rivisondoli

For the higher-level travel overview: L-Aquila.