Along the Ancient Paths of Tradition

Transhumance comes back to life in Pescasseroli

In the heart of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, the town of Pescasseroli (Province of L'Aquila) hosts "Along the Ancient Paths of Tradition", a cultural event dedicated to transhumance and the civilization of the sheep tracks. This is not just a simple festival: it is a journey of rediscovery that combines cinema, historical reflection, and walking, aiming to restore meaning and memory to one of the most ancient and defining practices of the Apennines.

The Royal Pescasseroli-Candela Sheep Track

Pescasseroli is the starting point of the Royal Pescasseroli-Candela Sheep Track, one of the great transhumance routes: approximately 211 kilometers of grassy drover's road that, with an average width of 60 meters, connected the mountains of Abruzzo to the Tavoliere delle Puglie, ending in Candela. For centuries, flocks and shepherds traveled this path, carrying with them knowledge, flavors, dialects, and rituals. The event was born specifically to tell the story of this intangible heritage and to bring the community closer to its pastoral roots.

Cinema, conference, and trekking

The program spans two days and three different mediums:

• Cinema — screenings at the Cinema Ettore Scola in Pescasseroli, featuring historical memories of the town and documentaries dedicated to transhumance.
• Conference — a roundtable at the PNALM Nature Center that brings together scholars, administrators, and enthusiasts around the theme of "man and the sheep tracks": cults, knowledge, flavors, local specialties, and identity.
• Trekking — a guided excursion along the ancient sheep tracks, to experience the shepherds' path firsthand, accompanied by a mountain guide.

A community event

The event is promoted by the Pro Loco Pescasseroli "Cuore del Parco APS", with the involvement of local institutions, the National Park, and the municipalities touched by the sheep track. Stalls featuring local artisans and producers accompany the days, offering a taste of the specialties of the Upper Sangro Valley and the Abruzzo hinterland. It is an opportunity to combine culture, nature, and gastronomy in one of the most evocative villages in the green heart of Italy.

Pescasseroli, famous as the historic headquarters of the Park and as the birthplace of the philosopher Benedetto Croce, confirms itself as a laboratory for the enhancement of Apennine traditions, where transhumance is not just a memory but an experience to be traversed on foot.