Monte Velino Festival

The Monte Velino Festival

The Monte Velino Festival is one of the most cherished hiking events in the Abruzzo mountains. Every year, on the first Sunday of July, the G.E.V. - Gruppo Escursionisti del Velino of Magliano de' Marsi (Province of L'Aquila) leads dozens of walkers to the summit of Monte Velino, which, at 2,487 meters, is the highest peak in the Sirente-Velino Regional Natural Park. It is a mountain celebration in the most authentic sense: physical exertion, the silence of high altitude, spirituality, and camaraderie.

A tradition dating back to 1964

The event has its roots in a custom started in Magliano in 1964, when groups of hikers began the habit of reaching the summit of Monte Velino to witness the sunrise from the highest point of the range. Since then, the event has become firmly established, and the G.E.V., as custodians of the massif's trails, has made it their signature event, open to anyone with strong legs and a love for the mountains.

The route and the refuge

The hike starts from Santa Maria in Valle Porclaneta, near the hamlet of Rosciolo dei Marsi, home to the famous 11th-century Romanesque church, at an altitude of 1,022 meters. From here, you take Trail 3 G.E.V. - F.I.E., which ascends the Vallone di Sevice. A mandatory stop is the Capanna di Sevice - Achille Fontani Refuge, at 2,119 meters, built in 1983 and managed by the G.E.V. itself; it serves as a rest stop before the final push to the summit. This is a demanding route with over 1,500 meters of elevation gain, reserved for experienced and well-equipped hikers.

The summit mass

The most evocative moment is the mass celebrated directly on the summit at 2,487 meters, which blends the sporting dimension with religious and community spirit. Around noon, participants gather at the top for the service in a breathtaking natural setting, with views stretching across the Marsica, the Fucino basin, and the surrounding Apennine chains.

Camaraderie and the territory

After the descent, the day concludes with a convivial lunch at the Capanna di Sevice Refuge and the return to Santa Maria in Valle Porclaneta in the afternoon. The Monte Velino Festival is much more than just a hike: it is a collective ritual that strengthens the bond between the community of Magliano de' Marsi, its mountain landscape, and the Abruzzese hiking tradition, while highlighting the natural heritage of the Sirente-Velino Park.