Discovering the Dittany

A rare flower in the heart of the L'Aquila Apennines

Discovering the Dittany is the nature event that every year, in early June, draws hikers and nature lovers to the Valle del Campanaro, just a stone's throw from the village of Poggio Picenze, a small municipality in the Province of L'Aquila, in Abruzzo. The star of the day is the Dittany (Dictamnus albus), an aromatic plant of the rue family whose leaves release a lemon scent when rubbed: a true botanical rarity of the Apennines that blooms here in the wild, gracing the valley with a display as delicate as it is spectacular.

From the 2011 discovery to a community symbol

The event has its roots in 2011, when botanist Daniela Tinti identified and highlighted the presence of the Dittany in the Poggio Picenze area. Since then, the flower has become a symbol of local identity, and its blooming has become an occasion for a widespread festival that combines nature, knowledge, and a sense of belonging. The initiative is promoted by the Pro Loco of Poggio Picenze in collaboration with the cultural association Silvatica Ergo Sum, with the involvement of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park and the local community.

The Sentieri delle 3 Pietre

The heart of the hike is the Sentieri delle 3 Pietre network, which crosses the Valle del Campanaro through oak forests, clearings, and small mountain huts. It is a mid-mountain environment with gentle slopes, suitable even for families and casual walkers, where the trails reveal stone tholos, ancient flax-processing basins, and large outcropping boulders. The guided walk accompanies participants to the spots where the Dittany blooms, explaining the valley's ecosystem and the importance of preserving its natural heritage.

Education and conviviality

The day is not just about walking: it includes an open and informal botanical education session, where the history of the Dittany and its bond with the territory are shared, concluding with a convivial lunch in a mountain hut—an opportunity to share simple dishes and enjoy each other's company after the hike. It is a portrait of slow, local tourism that puts the biodiversity of the Apennines and the community that cares for it at the center.

Why participate

• A guided hike to discover an Apennine botanical rarity, the Dittany.
• The Sentieri delle 3 Pietre in the Valle del Campanaro, among woods, mountain huts, and historical landmarks.
• A nature education moment accessible to everyone.
• The convivial lunch in a mountain hut, the heart of the Poggio Picenze community spirit.