Deep within the heart of Abruzzo lies a hidden wonder, shrouded in mystery and waiting to be discovered. The Aielli-Celano gorges beckon to the intrepid traveler, offering a journey through a world of secrets and wonder. With its rugged cliffs, verdant forests, and meandering streams, this mysterious landscape promises an unforgettable adventure for those brave enough to seek it out.
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What are the Aielli-Celano Gorges
The Aielli-Celano Gorges are hands down one of the most awe-inspiring canyons in central Italy. This long and deep rift stretches from 1330 meters above sea level at the entrance of Valle d’Arano to 810 meters above sea level at the entrance to the Foci. The rift separates Mount Sirente (2348m) and Mount Tino (1923m) and is nestled in the heart of the Sirente-Velino Regional Natural Park. It’s a must-visit spot for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike!
The Aielli-Celano Gorges are a unique geological formation that were carved out by the movement of water over millions of years. In some sections, the gorges narrow to just three meters wide, creating a dramatic and intimate experience for visitors.
Starting at Foci, the trek leads to a small but charming waterfall referred to as “Fonte degl Innamorati”, from which you can head back to the starting point of the gorges or continue even further towards Valle d’Arano.
The first part of the hike is a 4km (one-way) stretch on a slightly uphill path. If you decide to continue, there’s a second trekking option (4 more km one-way) that leads to Valle d’Arano.
The path from Valle d’Arano also mostly flat, with the exception of a very steep portion near the waterfall.
This last option is only accessible if you choose to continue beyond the initial 4km stretch, or if you do the trek the opposite way starting from Val D’Arano itself.
How to get to the Aielli-Celano Gorges
The most common starting point of the trail is referred to as “Foce”, and it is situated between the towns of Aielli and Celano. You can easily reach it by car or even RV as there is a wide parking area next to the starting point of the hike.
Below is the exact location of the Foce starting point and the relative parking lot:
There’s no public transportation leading to the parking area, which means you can only reach it by private vehicle or by walk from the nearby towns of Aielli or Celano.
Alternatively, you can start the trek from the top near the town of Ovindoli, going downhill. In this case, your starting point would be Val d’Arano. Below is the exact location of this starting point:
💡 Keep in mind that the most scenic part of the trek is located much closer to Foce than to Val d’Arano.
Opening time
There are no gates nor ticket offices at the Aielli-Celano Gorges. From May 1st to October 31st however, reservation is mandatory. We don’t know who is there to check the entrances (probably nobody), but these are the rules of the park and we must mention them.
Reservations can be made for those who intend to access the gorges in a specific direction:
- From La Foce to Val d’Arano (up to 80 people per day)
- From Val d’Arano to La Foce (up to 80 people per day)
And during specific time slots:
- From 07:00 to 10:00 (up to 30 people per direction)
- From 10:00 to 13:00 (up to 30 people per direction)
- From 13:00 to 15:00 (up to 20 people per direction)
This limitation was put into place to ensure that each visitor to the Aielli-Celano Gorges can enjoy a hike without crowds and with greater protection of the environment. Access to the gorges can only be obtained through a free online booking on the Regional Park’s official website.
Visiting the area? Don’t miss the Stiffe Caves and their underground waterfalls!
Entrance fee
There is no entrance fee at the Aielli-Celano gorges. Visiting these stunning gorges in fact is completely free!
As mentioned above however, visitors are required to register on the website and book their time slot prior visiting the gorges.
Where to stay near the Celano Gorges
There are several areas of natural interest yo stay at near the Celano Gorges. Ovindoli and Rocca di Mezzo are beautiful towns to stay at if you like the mountains, while Celano and Aielli are charming towns near the gorges and the Fucino plateau. Celano especially – with its castle and its old historical centre – is the best place to stay at when visiting the gorges, and that’s why the following suggestions are all located in Celano.
- ON A BUDGET: EliLu Room offers the cheapest rooms in Celano. Prices start from 50€/night for a double room with a private bathroom. Il Mughetto is also a decent option for budget-conscious travellers, starting from 60€/night per double room. Sadly there are no hostels in the area.
- MID-RANGE: A good mid-range option in Celano is Il Bijoux, with their one-bedroom apartment starting from 85€/night for 2 people. Another nice option is Arco Dei Sogni Bed & Breakfast, with modern and elegant rooms starting from 75€/night.
- LUXURY: Our go-to option for a luxury stay near Celano Gorges would definitely be LaVistaDeiSogni Palmarette, with their gorgeous one-bedroom house that sleeps up to 4 people for 150€/night. If you’re just 2 however, the apartment starts from just 110€/night, which is absolutely great value for money. A great alternative located in Avezzano is Royal Suite, a nicely furnished apartment with a totally different style starting from 150€/night.
DETAILED GUIDE
Our experience at the Celano Gorges
Starting from Foce, you’ll first need to walk through a forest-like section inside the gorge. This path is well-marked and easy to follow, without any major difficulties. As you hike through this first section, you’ll be surrounded by the beautiful nature of the Abruzzo region, including lush greenery and towering trees.
As you hike through the forest, you’ll notice that the trees gradually begin to thin out as the path slowly narrows. After just 10 minutes of hiking, you’ll reach a signpost that marks the entrance to the gorges. The path is referred to as n°12, and that’s the path you should follow for the entire way.
From here, you’ll enter the narrow gorge itself, and the path becomes more challenging. The walls of the gorge tower above you, and the path winds its way through the canyon, following the natural contours of the rock formations. You’ll need to climb over boulders and navigate your way through the winding canyon, so be sure to wear sturdy shoes and bring enough water for day.
It was surprising to discover that there was no water flowing in the gorges during our visit in April, as this is typically the time when the nearby mountains are melting snow and water levels in the gorges are typically high. Instead, we were greeted by the peaceful silence of the canyon, adding to the sense of isolation and serenity.
As we ventured deeper into the Celano Gorges, the natural beauty of the surroundings becomes even more breathtaking. The rock formations are really impressive, with towering cliffs that have been created over millions of years by the natural elements. The rugged cliffs and winding canyon walls seem to stretch up endlessly into the sky, creating an almost surreal landscape.
Our trek through the impressive Celano Gorges continued for a total of 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) until we finally arrived at the “Fonte degli Innamorati.“
“Fonte degli Innamorati” is a small waterfall that cascades down the canyon walls, creating a peaceful oasis in the midst of the rugged landscape. It’s a popular spot for visitors to stop and rest, and many take the opportunity to dip their feet in the cool, refreshing water.
When we reached the “Fonte degli Innamorati,” we were delighted to find that there was some water flowing. While the water was not at its usual level, it was still enough to create small pools and streams that added to the natural beauty of the surroundings. Despite the presence of water, the canyon was still easy to walk through, and we were able to continue our trek without any difficulty.
From Fonte degli innamorati, you can decide to hike further towards Val d’Arano or trek back to Foce. While the Val d’Arano is an incredbly beautiful place, you need to hike up the gorge for a couple of more hours to reach it.
During our visit, the weather conditions were less than ideal, so we decided to head back to the parking lot instead of continuing on to Val d’Arano. However, if you’re up for a longer trek and the weather is favorable, you can definitely continue walking and explore more of the natural beauty of the Celano Gorges.
Rules at the Aielli-Celano Gorges
Here are the rules for visiting the Aielli-Celano Gorges:
- The gorges can only be visited between May 1st and October 31st – (we actually visited them in the first half of April and it was totally okay)
- You need to make an online reservation before visiting
- Kids under 8 years old cannot access the gorges
- Groups over 15 people must be accompanied by a guide
- Visitors must wear a helmet when visiting the Celano gorges
- It is prohibited to enter the gorges with any types of vehicle (including bycicles and e-bikes) as well as horses
To be honest, we visited the gorges in April and we had no problems whatsoever. We couldn’t make an online reservation as they were not open for our date, but there were a total of about 10-20 people visiting the place and everything went very smooth and nicely.
Best tips for visiting the Aielli-Celano Gorges
– Pay attention to falling rocks, and wear a helmet especially if you visit the gorges after some heavy rainfall or when snow melts.
– Do not attempt the trek if you see a lot of water at the beginning of the trail (starting from the parking lot at Foce). When we visited the gorge the river bed was completely dry, but there have been some (rare) cases of people getting stuck after getting wet in the ice-cold water deep in the gorge during the winter months.