Corno Grande of the Gran Sasso d'Italia

This is not the classic hiking trail you usually find on guides and main websites. In fact, it is the union of three different hiking trails: The first leads from Piana dei Laghetti to Arapietra, the second leads from Arapietra to Madonnina ai Prati di Tivo (which the majority of people reach through a chair lift), and then the final section leads from Madonnina to the western summit of Gran Sasso's Corno Grande.

Sunrise is the best time to start this very long and rather hard trek, as the views and lights are absolutely breathtaking. On top of that, you will find a lot less people on your way if you start at the crack of dawn. Indeed, it can become a very crowded place near the summit during summer time. Most people will get there from Campo Imperatore, where a considerably easier trek starts. If you are lucky, you may see some chamois on your way, and beautiful wild horses populate the first part of the hike up until the Arapietra plateau.

Summer brings a constantly evolving wildflower display, and the scene seems to change every week as the weather warms. The white flowers that are typical for this area are called ornithogalum, more commonly known as chicken's milk.