The place
The pass between the Majella and the Morrone
The pass (1,282 m) lies in the territory of Pacentro and Sant'Eufemia a Maiella, on the western side of the Majella and south-east of the Morrone. The SS 487 road links it to Pacentro and Sulmona on one side and to Sant'Eufemia and Caramanico Terme on the other; the SP 54 road goes down towards Campo di Giove.
Around the pass there are meadows and beech woods with the dry-stone huts of the shepherds, and just below rises the Orta river. The climate is harsh: strong south-west winds, frequent fog and heavy snowfall in winter.
A small ski area was set up here in the 1960s: today the drag lifts appear to be out of service, while on the plateau towards Fonte Romana a cross-country loop of about 3 km can be tracked.
Hikes
Hiking from Passo San Leonardo
- Passo San Leonardo loop
- Easy (E), about 4 hours from Fonte Romana: meadows, beech woods, springs and a tour of the dry-stone huts.
- Towards Roccacaramanico (Q8)
- Down the upper Orta valley to the village of Roccacaramanico: also one of the classic snowshoe routes.
- From Pacentro (Q1)
- The trail climbs from Pacentro to the pass and continues towards Lama Bianca.
- CP7 loop
- A loop starting and ending at the pass.
More ideas in the Hiking in Abruzzo section, the maps and GPX tracks and the hiking guide to the Majella Park.
The summit
Climbing Monte Amaro (2,793 m)
The most popular route starts at Fonte di Nunzio (about 1,250 m), near the pass. Trail P5 climbs through the beech wood to Fonte dell'Orso (1,705 m, about one hour), where you find the last water on the route; beyond the Stazzo (1,836 m) the vegetation ends.
Trail P1 then climbs a steep stretch to the Forchetta di Majella (about 2,380 m, about three hours from the start). From here you enter the wide Femmina Morta plateau and, via the Sella del Macellaro and the Grotta Canosa, reach the summit with the Pelino bivouac.
Start
Fonte di Nunzio, ~1,250 m
Elevation gain
over 1,500 m
Length
22–23 km return
Water
only at Fonte dell'Orso
Snow: up high snow often lasts until late spring and hides patches of ice: with snow the climb is no longer a hike but a winter route, only for those with crampons, ice axe and experience. In February 2025 an avalanche broke off below the Rava della Giumenta Bianca, on the "direttissima" route.
Length: it is a full day's walk, almost without shade above Fonte dell'Orso: start early, set a turn-around time and go back if the weather worsens. The Grotta Canosa and the Pelino bivouac are emergency shelters only.
Clothing: on the summit the temperature can get close to 0 °C even in July and the wind is strong: boots, layers, windproof and waterproof jacket, hat and gloves, sun cream, at least 2 litres of water, map or GPX track. In fog, common on the Majella, finding your way on the plateau is difficult.
See also the right mountain equipment and the page on high mountain huts.
Winter
Snowshoeing
In winter the plateau of the pass and the Orta valley are ideal for snowshoeing: the classic routes go down towards Roccacaramanico or loop between Fonte Romana and Fonte della Chiesa, among beech woods and clearings. Local guides often organise guided snowshoe walks.
Before setting off check the Meteomont avalanche bulletin and stay on beaten tracks in the woods when the danger is considerable. Tips and more routes on the page Snowshoeing in Abruzzo.
Winter
Ski touring: the Rava della Giumenta Bianca
The classic ski tour of the Majella starts at Fonte Fredda (1,265 m), on the SS 487 at km 37.6, and climbs the Rava della Giumenta Bianca, a long, wide gully with slopes of 30–35°, up to Monte Amaro.
It is a route for experienced skiers, to be avoided after heavy snowfall or windy days, when the upper slopes load up with unstable snow. You need crampons, ice axe and skins, plus the avalanche rescue kit (transceiver, shovel and probe), required by law in snowy terrain with avalanche risk. More in the guide to ski touring in Abruzzo; for piste skiing, on the eastern side, there is Passo Lanciano – Majelletta.
Elevation gain
1,528 m
Difficulty
BSA (good ski mountaineer)
Ascent time
3–4 hours
Aspect
west
Nature
Horse riding
The Park has a network of trails that can also be ridden on horseback. Trail HT17 reaches Passo San Leonardo, linking Pian dell'Orso to the pass from the Apennine chamois wildlife area of Pacentro.
Stay on marked trails, give way to walkers and ask the Park authority (parcomajella.it) about open routes and rules. More activities on the page Sport in Abruzzo.
Safety
Before you go
- Weather and avalanches
- Check the weather and, in winter, the Meteomont avalanche bulletin: conditions change within hours.
- Route
- Tell someone your route and expected return time; up high there is often no phone signal.
- Trails
- Follow marked trails and the Park rules: some areas may be closed at certain times.
- Emergencies
- In an emergency call 112 or 118 and ask for Mountain Rescue.
Getting there
Roads to the pass
- From Sulmona
- Drive up to Pacentro and continue on the SS 487: about 18 km of climbing to the pass.
- From Pescara and Caramanico
- From the A25 (Scafa exit) follow the SS 487 to Caramanico Terme and Sant'Eufemia a Maiella.
- From Campo di Giove
- On the SP 54 road.
- In winter
- Winter tyres or chains are required; some access roads may be closed or in poor condition: check before you go.
Contacts
Useful numbers and rescue
- Mountain rescue
- 112 or 118: ask for Mountain Rescue (CNSAS) and give location, altitude, weather and the condition of the injured
- Environmental emergencies and fires
- 1515 – Carabinieri Forestry Police
- Mountain guides
- Abruzzo Regional Board of Mountain Guides: office 375 607 8454 · info@guidealpineabruzzo.it · guidealpineabruzzo.it (the website lists mountain guides and hiking leaders)
- Majella National Park authority
- Tel. 0864 25701 · info@parcomajella.it · parcomajella.it
- Park information centre in Pacentro
- Palazzo Tonno, Piazza del Popolo 7 · 0864 41304 · pacentro@parcomajella.it
- Park visitor centre in Caramanico Terme
- "Paolo Barrasso", Via del Vivaio · 085 922343
- Municipality of Pacentro
- 0864 41114
- Municipality of Sant'Eufemia a Maiella
- Piazza della Vittoria 6 · 085 920116 · Out-of-hours doctor 085 4289790
- Avalanche bulletin
- Meteomont (Carabinieri Meteomont service)
Nearby