Introduction: A climb along the eastern ridge of the Serra di Celano, going up its gentlest and most gradual side. This side is a bit bare and in summer it fills with tall grass. An interesting but not spectacular view over Monte Etra.
Route characteristics: No facilities: the Rifugio La Serra is closed and unmanned. Path poorly maintained and old waymarking. Especially in the lower part of the path. The view and the path are more spectacular in the upper part.
The Serra di Celano is part of the Sirente Velino Regional Park.
Route description
The route is not hard to find, even though the waymarking is in a really bad state. You walk along the white gravel road as far as the two drinking troughs (one working, the other dry). At the second trough you turn left to reach the open grassy slopes, where we find a great many dog rose bushes.
From the open grassy slopes we pick out, above us, the ridge of the Serra di Celano, and lower down the long spurs that come down from it. In front of us we try to get onto the most obvious spur.
This spur will join the ridge of the Serra di Celano. On the left edge of the rocky spur there is a wide valley full of trees. Evocative. We follow the spur until we meet the upper part of the ridge. We follow the ridge until we find the path coming from the Rifugio la Serra. Here the very old waymarking appears. We climb over grassy meadows, full of mushrooms in autumn.
We look out from the ridge to admire the view over the Sirente and Monte Etra. The Gole di Celano are barely visible, the feeling of a precipice is not so strong. The ridge of the serra becomes rockier. Paint marks, red-and-white at first and then yellow-and-red, lead us through easy little moves to the summit, where we find two crosses, one of them very imposing.
The Serra di Celano is certainly a pleasant hike that you can also do with children.
The route is not hard to find, even though the waymarking is in a really bad state. You walk along the white gravel road as far as the two drinking troughs (one working, the other dry). At the second trough you turn left to reach the open grassy slopes, where we find a great many dog rose bushes.
From the open grassy slopes we pick out, above us, the ridge of the Serra di Celano, and lower down the long spurs that come down from it. In front of us we try to get onto the most obvious spur.
This spur will join the ridge of the Serra di Celano. On the left edge of the rocky spur there is a wide valley full of trees. Evocative. We follow the spur until we meet the upper part of the ridge. We follow the ridge until we find the path coming from the Rifugio la Serra. Here the very old waymarking appears. We climb over grassy meadows, full of mushrooms in autumn.
We look out from the ridge to admire the view over the Sirente and Monte Etra. The Gole di Celano are barely visible, the feeling of a precipice is not so strong. The ridge of the serra becomes rockier. Paint marks, red-and-white at first and then yellow-and-red, lead us through easy little moves to the summit, where we find two crosses, one of them very imposing.
For the descent, on the other hand, we can go down by the gravel road that passes very close to the Rifugio La Serra. You follow the red-and-white paint marks to the gravel road, then follow the gravel road back to the car.
The Serra di Celano is certainly a pleasant hike that you can also do with children.
Variants and alternatives
For the descent, instead of returning the same way, we can go down by the gravel road that passes very close to the Rifugio La Serra. You follow the red-and-white paint marks to the gravel road, then follow the gravel road back to the car.
Notes on effort and difficulty
Frequently asked questions
Is the Serra di Celano from Ovindoli suitable for children?
Yes, the route is graded E- (hiking path, lower end of the grade) and suitable for children from 8 years old and for adults who are not very fit: about 10 km with 520 m of ascent in about 5 hours. There is only one short passage on rock where you need to help yourself with your hands.
Is the Rifugio La Serra open?
No, the Rifugio La Serra is closed and unmanned, and there are no facilities along the route. So it is best to set off with enough water and food: of the two drinking troughs on the initial gravel road, only one was working at the time of the report.
