Overview
Monte Porrara seen from Cima Ogniquota |
Monte Porrara is the southernmost summit of the
Majella Range (
Montagna della Maiella). Together with its northern neighbour,
Cima Ogniquota, it is located upon a ridge between upper
Val Peligna and
Valle dell'Aventino. To the south you will find the bog-like plain
Quarto di Santa Chiara.
Even though it is located close to the ski centres
Roccaraso,
Pescocostanzo and
Campo di Giove, even though it is famous for its views towards
Majella,
Montagna del Morrone and the mountains of the
Parco nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise,
Monte Porrara is still rarely visited.
To reach
Monte Porrara there are three routes from three trailheads which combine at north-south running summit ridge. the easiest routes starts in the south near the train station
Stazione di Palena and follows (more or less) the south ridge of the mountain. The second starts in
Palena village to the east and heads up a dirt road (you might even drive up there to about 1250m elevation) in many switchbacks before heading across a path towards the pass
Guada di Coccia. from here it traverses the north ridge across
Cima Ogniquota to
Monte Porrara. The third route makes use of a ski lift from
Campo di Giove to
Guada di Coccia from where you hike the same traverse across
Cima Ogniquota.
Monte Porrara can be climbed in any season and weather. the southern route is safe from avalanches while the northern routes pose some risks in the steep sections abov
Guada di Coccia. Also, there is some exposure on the northern routes so that the southern one is the most popular one of the three.
360° Summit Panorama
360° Summit Panorama from Monte Porrara |
Getting There
Quarto di Santa Chiara south of Monte Porrara
- From Rome:
- Take motorway E80 / A24 from Rome to Torano.
- Switch to motorway A25, direction Pescara.
- At the exit Pratola Peligna / Sulmona switch to SS17 to Sulmona.
- After Rivsindoli switch to SS84 and after a few km you'll reach Pescocostanzo
- Turn onto SS84 until you reach the train station Stazione di Palena. The trailhead is 1km north of the station on the eastern side of the road
- From Sulmona take SR487 to Campo di Giove
- Switch to an unnamed road to Pescocostanzo until you reach the trailhead 1km north of Stazione di Palena
- For Palena pass the station and swith to SS84 east on Quarto di Santa Chiara
- From Pescara
- Take motorway E80 / A25 westward in direction Rome.
- At the exit Pratola Peligna / Sulmona switch to SS17 south, passing Sulmona.
- After Rivsindoli switch to SS84 and after a few km you'll reach Pescocostanzo
- Turn onto SS84 until you reach the train station Stazione di Palena. The trailhead is 1km north of the station on the eastern side of the road
- From Sulmona take SR487 to Campo di Giove
- Switch to an unnamed road to Pescocostanzo until you reach the trailhead 1km north of Stazione di Palena
- For Palena pass the station and swith to SS84 east on Quarto di Santa Chiara
Red Tape
Monte Porrara is part of
Parco Nazionale della Majella. The usual restrictions apply. For more information see the park's website
Accommodation
There's ample accommodation'options in the area, however rather hard to find. Google searches often end up at the tripadvisor, casamundo or booking.com portals. There is a thriving community of British expatriates, many of whom offer apartments for rent. Maybe a good starting point is this site
Weather Conditions
Maps & Books
Maps
- Digital Maps
- Regular Maps
- Majella
1:25000
Edizioni il Lupo
ISBN: 978-88-86610-68-1
Books
- Abruzzen
Heinrich Bauregger
Rother Verlag
ISBN 978-3-7633-0413-2
External Links