Blog · Adventure
Gran Sasso: via ferrata to the Rifugio Bafile and a night in a cave at 2,000 m
From Campo Imperatore up the rock to a mountain hut clinging to the cliff – and another high-altitude adventure: sleeping in a cave at 2,000 metres. Our mountain days in central Italy.
The roof of the Apennines
Gran Sasso in Abruzzo is the highest massif in the Apennines: Corno Grande rises above 2,900 metres. At its feet lies Campo Imperatore, a vast plateau many call “Little Tibet”. That’s where Aaron and Lorenzo Thofern set off on a day trip to the Rifugio Bafile – GoPro and drone always running.
Watch more on our YouTube channel.
The via ferrata
The last stretch to the hut follows a via ferrata: steel cables, rungs and a few exposed sections with nothing beneath your feet. For us it was a very safe, well-equipped ferrata – but it’s still a real mountain route that needs sure footing and a head for heights.
At the top the Rifugio Bafile awaits, small and clinging to the rock, with views across the whole of Abruzzo. One of those places that make you understand why the effort is worth it.
What you need for a via ferrata
- Certified via ferrata kit: harness, lanyard set with energy absorber and karabiners.
- Helmet: rockfall is the most common danger.
- Mountain boots with a good sole and gloves for the cables.
- Weather: never on a ferrata with a risk of thunderstorms.
- Experience: the first time, go with a mountain guide or someone who knows the route well.
Another night up high: sleeping in a cave at 2,000 metres
The mountains gave us another adventure too: a night in a cave at around 2,000 metres. A crazy experience – and a simple, powerful way to feel part of nature.
Watch more on our YouTube channel.
Up high, even in summer, the evenings are cool. A warm layer is always in the backpack. For more mountain adventures, read about our trek on Mount Etna.
From our shop
Sweatshirt handmade in Sicily – black
- 100% organic cotton
- Sewn by hand in Sicily
- Every sweatshirt has a different pattern
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Rifugio Bafile?
On the Gran Sasso massif in Abruzzo, above Campo Imperatore, at over 2,600 metres.
How do you get to the Rifugio Bafile?
From Campo Imperatore on a demanding hike; the last section is a via ferrata equipped with cables.
What do you need for a via ferrata?
A certified via ferrata kit (harness, lanyard with energy absorber), helmet, mountain boots and gloves. The first time, it’s best to go with a guide.
What is Campo Imperatore?
A large plateau at the foot of Gran Sasso, also called “Little Tibet”, and the starting point for many hikes.
Live Nature
From reading to adventure.
Join our outdoor events or discover the projects we carry out in Sicily and beyond.
Keep reading
More stories from Nature
Hiking trip on Mount Etna
A hike on Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano: a 3-day, 2-night trek at an altitude of 3,320 metres, taking in craters, lava and unspoilt wilderness. Find out more about the trip.
Read
Nature hikes around Cefalù
From the Rocca above the old town to the forests of the Madonie: the hikes around Cefalù we recommend to our friends – with a few tips on what to bring.
Read
Swimming in a Glacier
Swimming in a glacier at 0 °C: our adventure in the hidden water channels inside the Hintertux Glacier. An extreme and unforgettable experience.
Read