Halloween in the Woods

A different kind of Halloween, in the heart of the Gran Sasso

Halloween in the Woods is an outdoor event held every late October in the beech forests of Gran Sasso d'Italia, starting from the village of Pretara, in the municipality of Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia (Teramo province, Abruzzo). Far from city costume parties, here the most mysterious night of the year is experienced immersed in nature, inside the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, among ancient trees, silence, and the charm of the mountains after dark.

The sunset hike

Participants meet in the afternoon in Pretara, where a guided hike of approximately 6 kilometers begins through the beech forests on the eastern side of the massif. The trail is rated E (hiking), suitable for everyone, with a modest elevation gain of about 150 meters: you walk as the sun sets behind the peaks, then return at night under a starry sky. The walk is accompanied by the sounds of forest wildlife and, weather permitting, stargazing to identify stars and constellations.

Trapper-style cooking and the campfire

The heart of the experience is trapper-style cooking: an essential, ancient way of cooking outdoors without stoves or modern utensils, using only the embers of a fire and what nature provides, such as branches, stones, and leaves. Around the campfire in the woods, participants prepare and share a simple, convivial meal, rediscovering the pleasure of a rustic mountain dinner under the stars.

Organizers

The event is organized by Escursioni Abruzzo - Emozioni in Natura, a local outfit led by environmental hiking guide Filippo Di Donato, who leads groups and families to discover the most authentic corners of the Gran Sasso and Abruzzo. His knowledge of the area, combined with a focus on safety and environmental respect, makes this proposal suitable even for those new to night hiking.

Why join?

• An authentic, open-air alternative to traditional Halloween parties;
• An immersive experience in the beech forests of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park;
• The magic of a night walk and a starry sky far from city lights;
• The conviviality of trapper-style cooking around a campfire;
• A way to discover Pretara and the territory of Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia in a unique setting.

Participation is by reservation only, and appropriate technical clothing for autumn mountain weather is recommended. This event has become a staple for nature lovers looking for a different kind of thrill in the heart of Abruzzo on Halloween night.