Sentiero del Centenario

Overview

The Sentiero del Centenario is a challenging ridgeline route that traverses the main crest of the Gran Sasso Massif, linking several summits and incorporating the equipped section of the Ferrata Famigliari at the Torri di Casanova. The route alternates long stretches of exposed, unprotected trail with fixed-rope passages, demanding a steady step and constant attention. The overall length and elevation gain make the return particularly strenuous; the most logical option is therefore to split the undertaking over two days.

Approach

The access point lies along the road to Campo Imperatore, in the province of L'Aquila. Coming from State Road 117, between Fonte Cerreto and Castel Del Monte, follow the direction for Campo Imperatore. After about six kilometers, at a left-hand curve, a dirt road leads off to the right to a picnic area; leave the car here.

From the parking area, take a wide dirt track that climbs decisively toward the ridge. In thirty minutes you reach the Vado di Corno, a junction where you ignore the left-hand trail to Monte Aquila and keep right, officially starting the Sentiero del Centenario, following trail markers 235 and red-and-yellow paint. This initial section, offering broad views over the Campo Imperatore plateau, runs along the crest toward Monte Brancastello, also ignoring the turnoff for Pizzo San Gabriele. The summit of Monte Brancastello (2385 m) is reached about two hours from the parking area. Continue along the ridge on a well-defined, panoramic trail to the start of the Ferrata Famigliari at the Torri di Casanova (2280 m), reached in two hours and forty-five minutes total.

Via Ferrata

The start of the equipped route is marked by a metal ladder. The via ferrata, on compact, well-structured limestone, winds through oblique climbs and short vertical sections, overcoming another ladder and several newer passages, all adequately protected. In about twenty minutes you gain the summit of the Torri di Casanova (2365 m). The technical difficulties of this first section are moderate.

From the top, descend to a saddle between the two pinnacles, then climb back up to a Sentiero del Centenario sign. Proceed keeping left on a narrow ledge, then descend toward another junction. To the left, a faint track branches off toward a sharp ridge; the main route (red-and-yellow markers) keeps right, descending steeply to bypass the ridge. This leads to a distinctive notch, which you cross with the aid of some steel cables, arriving at the Forchetta di Santa Colomba (2260 m) in three hours and forty-five minutes total. Caution: the sections just described may have uneven and sometimes slippery terrain.

From the notch begins a series of equipped sections leading to Monte Infornace (2469 m), reachable in twenty minutes. After the summit, ignore the right-hand turnoff toward the Canala and continue straight along the main crest to a saddle at 2420 meters, which separates Monte Infornace from Monte Prena. From here, a new succession of fixed-rope passages takes you to the summit of Monte Prena (2561 m), reached in about six hours total.

Leaving the summit of Monte Prena, it is essential not to follow the red-and-yellow markers indicating the Sentiero Alpinistico Brancadoro. Turning back, you will notice a characteristic wedged boulder. The correct route keeps left, losing elevation along a track that leads toward the final ridge in the direction of Monte Camicia. This section, called "Costa di Ferruccio", requires particular caution. From the Vado di Ferruccio (2245 m), ignore all secondary trails and traverse a long ridge, with sections sometimes treacherous due to loose scree, until reaching the summit of Monte Camicia (2564 m) in about eight hours total.

Descent

From the summit of Monte Camicia begins the final descent of the Sentiero del Centenario. Take trail 8A, which describes a wide semicircle descending into the Vallone di Vradda to a saddle, from which you continue descending to Fonte Vetica, the official end of the route. This return section takes about one hour and forty-five minutes from Monte Camicia, bringing the total time to about ten hours from the parking area.

From Fonte Vetica, you need to arrange the return to the starting point. The best solution is hitchhiking or using a second vehicle positioned down below. Alternatively, you can hike back up the paved road leading to Campo Imperatore to the parking area. There is also a hiking option, a network of mid-slope trails running parallel to the Sentiero del Centenario, but with the risk of significantly lengthening the return.

Useful Notes

Considering the indicated parking area, the final return involves covering nearly eighteen kilometers on paved road or mid-slope trails. For this reason, it is strongly recommended to split the itinerary over two days, taking advantage of the Rifugio De Carolis for an overnight stay.

The trail was inaugurated in 1974 to celebrate the centenary of the L'Aquila section of the CAI, hence the name. In 2019, the equipment was modernized along almost the entire route. The Gran Sasso Massif offers numerous other via ferratas, such as the Ferrata Brizio, the Ferrata al Bivacco Bafile, and the Ferrata Danesi, accessible from Campo Imperatore. For the ascent of Corno Piccolo, instead, the suggested itinerary is from Prati di Tivo, combining the Sentiero Attrezzato Ventricini and the Ferrata Ricci.