Mountain safety in Abruzzo: what you need in summer and winter, legal requirements and tips for every activity

Before you go

In the mountains, the goal is coming home: prepare well

For every activity on our site you will find what to pack, the rules to know, the legal requirements with fines and links to our pages on that sport. In an emergency call 112 and ask for Mountain Rescue (Soccorso Alpino).

☀️ Summer

⛰️ On foot and at altitude

🥾 Hiking and trekking

Choose the trail by its CAI grade (T tourist, E hiking, EE for experts) and your fitness, start early and plan your return time. In Abruzzo afternoon thunderstorms are common from May to July: check the forecast and turn back if the sky closes in. There is no water up high: carry your own. Always bring a complete change of underwear: you reach the top sweaty right where it is coldest and windiest, and a wet T-shirt chills you within minutes; change as soon as you arrive.

🎒 What you needhiking boots, layered clothing, a complete change of underwear (dry T-shirt, socks and underwear to put on at the top or on the way back), waterproof and windproof jacket, water (at least 1.5 litres), food, hat and sunscreen, map or GPX track, charged phone, small first-aid kit.

🧗 Mountaineering and normal routes to the summits

The routes to Corno Grande, Sirente or Velino have exposed sections, easy rock and scree: you need experience, sure footing and no fear of heights. On protected sections and rock routes use a helmet and harness; if you lack experience, hire a mountain guide. Before setting off check the condition of via ferratas and protected sections with the park, the CAI or the huts: cables, rungs and chains can be damaged by rockfall and winters, and some sections stay closed. Tell someone your route.

🎒 What you needhelmet, harness and via ferrata kit or rope where needed, stiff boots, gloves, headlamp, warm clothing even in summer (it can be cold on top), water and food.

🕳️ Underground and in the gorges

🕳️ Caves and gorges

Show caves are visited only with a guide: it is cool inside and the floor is wet. In gorges the dangers are floods after heavy rain and stones falling from the walls: do not go in after heavy rain or if a storm is forecast.

🎒 What you needsweatshirt or light jacket, shoes with non-slip soles, headlamp for the longer gorges.

🚵 In the saddle

🚵 Cycling and horse riding

On mountain or gravel bikes on park trails, respect access bans, give way to walkers and check brakes and lights before setting off. A helmet is not compulsory for adult cyclists but is strongly recommended. Horse rides go out with riding centres and their guides, wearing a helmet and suitable shoes.

🎒 What you needhelmet, repair kit and spare tube, water, windproof jacket; on horseback a helmet and heeled shoes.

🐻 Nature, wildlife and dogs

🐻 Wildlife and park rules

Bears, wolves and chamois live in the parks: watch them from afar, never leave or offer food. Stay on marked trails, keep dogs on a lead, do not light fires and take your rubbish home. Each park has its own rules: some areas may be visited only on set trails, with limited or guided access. Pastures may be guarded by sheepdogs: keep away from the flock and do not provoke them. If you bring your dog, first check that the route suits it and that dogs are allowed: in some park areas they are banned; avoid exposed ridges, scrambles, ladders and sharp scree, carry water for it too, and remember that in summer rock gets hot and in winter snow and ice can hurt its paws.

🎒 What you needdog lead and water for the dog, rubbish bag, binoculars to watch animals without disturbing them.

❄️ Winter

⛷️ On groomed slopes and tracks

⛷️ Downhill skiing, snowboarding and sledging on the slopes

On the slopes the conduct rules of the winter sports decree apply: suitable speed, give way to those below you, do not stop in narrow places or where visibility is poor. Choose slopes suited to your level and check the snow report.

🎒 What you needcertified helmet, third-party liability insurance, goggles, sunscreen, layered clothing; back protector recommended for children.

⚖️ Legal requirementsHelmet compulsory for everyone, adults included, for downhill skiing, snowboarding, telemark, sleds and sledges (art. 17 Legislative Decree 40/2021, as amended by Decree-Law 96/2025, converted by Law 119/2025): fine €100–150. Third-party liability insurance compulsory for anyone using downhill ski slopes; operators must offer it with the ski pass (art. 30): fine €100–150 and ski pass withdrawn. Alcohol and drugs: skiing while intoxicated is forbidden, with checks including breathalysers (art. 31): fine €250–1,000. Snowshoes and walkers: walking or snowshoeing on ski slopes is forbidden except in emergencies (art. 24): fine €100–150.

🎿 Cross-country skiing

On the groomed loops of cross-country centres the risk is low; off the tracks, on the plateaus, fog and wind can make you lose your bearings within minutes. Wear light layers: you sweat going up and freeze going down.

🎒 What you needbreathable layers, windproof jacket, gloves and hat, water or a hot drink, charged phone.

🏔️ Off-piste and avalanches

🏔️ Ski touring and off-piste

Off the groomed slopes no one checks the snow: before going out read the Meteomont avalanche bulletin (danger level 1 to 5), choose routes suited to the level and your experience, go in a group and do a transceiver check at the start. Knowing how to use transceiver, shovel and probe is crucial: in a burial the first 15 minutes matter most, so practise and take a CAI course or go with a mountain guide.

🎒 What you needavalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, helmet, ski crampons, ice axe and crampons for icy slopes, spare warm clothing, headlamp, charged phone.

⚖️ Legal requirementsAvalanche transceiver, shovel and probe compulsory for ski touring, off-piste skiing and outings in snowy terrain, snowshoeing included, when snow and weather conditions create avalanche risk (art. 26 Legislative Decree 40/2021): fine €100–150. Lift operators are not liable for accidents on off-piste routes served by their lifts (art. 26, para. 1).

🥾 Snowshoeing and winter hikes

Snowshoes do not protect you from avalanches: even a short slope can slide. Choose routes in the woods or on wide plains, avoid gullies and the foot of steep slopes after snowfall or when it warms up, and remember winter days are short: start early and be back in daylight.

🎒 What you needsnowshoes and poles with snow baskets, waterproof boots and gaiters, layered clothing with spares, gloves and hat, sunglasses, thermos with a hot drink; transceiver, shovel and probe when there is avalanche risk.

⚖️ Legal requirementsWhen there is avalanche risk, the transceiver, shovel and probe requirements also apply to snowshoers (art. 26 Legislative Decree 40/2021, fine €100–150). Snowshoeing on ski slopes is forbidden (art. 24).

🧊 Winter mountaineering

In winter the normal routes of the Gran Sasso, Velino and Sirente become mountaineering climbs: hard snow and ice, cornices on the ridges, short days and strong wind. You need ice axe and crampon technique and experience in assessing snow; otherwise hire a mountain guide.

🎒 What you needice axe, crampons, helmet, transceiver, shovel and probe, technical winter clothing, headlamp, emergency blanket.

🚗 Getting there

🚗 Driving on mountain roads

To reach ski resorts and mountain villages in winter you need winter tyres or snow chains on board: on roads covered by the road authorities’ ordinances the requirement normally runs from 15 November to 15 April, and also outside that period when it snows. Check pass closures and use ski buses and shuttles if you can.

🎒 What you needwinter tyres or chains (already tried on), shovel, blanket, full tank, charged phone.

⚖️ Legal requirementsRequirement of winter tyres or chains on board on roads listed in the owners’ ordinances (Highway Code, art. 6), normally 15 November to 15 April.

Skiing without a car: ski buses and shuttles

Rules in force in October 2026: regions and municipalities may add requirements, and ski areas have their own regulations. Text of the decree: D.Lgs. 28 febbraio 2021, n. 40 – Gazzetta Ufficiale.

🚨 Emergencies and useful numbers

112 – single emergency number: ask for Mountain Rescue (CNSAS) and say where you are (coordinates from your phone).
1515 – Carabinieri forestry police, environmental emergencies and fires.
Meteomont – Carabinieri snow and avalanche bulletin.

Mountain safety