Tratturi Altomolise Path in Italy

Starting the day with a leisurely breakfast in front of our 19th-century stone house, we take in the tranquil forest setting and the scenic view of the horse pastures extending to Colle dell’Orso, 30 km away. 

We then get acquainted with the horses and, if needed, learn the basics of western riding. Our first ride involves crossing a rocky river, followed by a steep ascent to Tratturo Celano – Foggia, showcasing the horses' sure-footedness. We cross a horse meadow, allowing the horses a brief rest to catch their breath. 

Continuing to the mountain ridge, we enjoy the shade of the forest. Passing by mud pits, known as the “bathtubs of the wild boar,” we spot some frogs before experiencing a short, brisk gallop on an open meadow. Another steep climb leads us to our picnic spot at Monte Caraceno, offering a 360° panoramic view and over 2000 years of Samnite history. 

After the break, we lead the horses for a bit before reaching the Tratturo, which takes us back to the ranch. In the evening, we visit our host's nearby equestrian center and enjoy dinner at their bistro.

The journey begins at 10:00 a.m. with a long ride through an oak forest, leading us to many beautiful meadows near the Tratturo, perfect for a wonderful gallop.

We then leave the Tratturo and ride to a picnic area where our host once hosted endurance races. 

After a satisfying and restful break, we continue for several kilometers through beech forests until we arrive at our first hotel, located directly at the Tratturo. Here, we refresh ourselves with drinks in the garden, relax with a stunning panorama, and watch the horses next door. 

Dinner is served around 8:30 p.m. at the hotel.

Today’s ride is the shortest of the week, taking about 3 hours. We follow the Tratturo until we reach the town of San Pietra Avellana. Our route takes us through towering oak and beech forests, with a stop at a bar on the forest's edge to enjoy a picnic featuring fresh cheese and salami from the region.

Nearby, road signs warning drivers about deer and bear crossings remind us of the area's pristine nature. We tend to the horses outside the town at the Tratturo, unsaddling horses and watching them roll around, feeding them and listening to their contented snorts. 

In the evening, we stroll from our hotel through the ancient streets of this 10th-century town to a restaurant, where we savor fresh truffles from the forests we traversed earlier in the day.

Italy’s Tratturi extend from the fresh mountain pastures of Abruzzo to Puglia in the south, with the six main routes, stretching up to 250 km, crossing Molise.

Today, we switch to the Tratturo Castel di Sangro – Lucera and ride past the ruins of an almost deserted small town. As nature reclaims this place, the old walls whisper stories of the harsh mountain life. With a bit of luck, we might encounter the resident shepherd with his flock, bringing the Tratturo to life and transporting us back to a time when shepherds traveled this route with their flocks twice a year. 

During our rest, we savor regional delicacies, enjoy the expansive views, the scent of fresh herbs, and stories about the land and its people. 

In the afternoon, our destination appears on the horizon: a small village called Roccasicura (safe rock), nestled in the middle of nowhere. Our luggage awaits us at a beautiful hotel at the highest point of the village. We have ample time for a typical Italian aperitivo with drinks and snacks, and a refreshing shower before heading to the restaurant for dinner.

After breakfast we ride south along the Tratturo and, depending on the season, we can enjoy the colorful blossoms or nibble on delicious blackberries while we watch the butterflies dance. 

After a short but strenuous ascent, the horses get a little break before we ride over a stone road to a small plateau over which we can enjoy a wonderfully refreshing gallop. We continue past goats, cows and sheep with their guards, the herding dogs. 

We reach a junction, the Traturelli San Domenico, which leads us to our picnic area. Here the horses are allowed to graze extensively while we enjoy a leisurely picnic in the shade of large trees. Shortly afterwards we visit the Tratturo’s church and enjoy the last hours in the saddle. 

Around 5:00 p.m. we are back at the riding stables, unsaddle the horses one last time and enjoy the farewell dinner.

Departure after breakfast.

N.B. Due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances the programme may have to be adapted.