Although the  Sirente-Velino National Park is probably the smallest  in area of the National Parks of Abruzzo, it makes up in beauty for what it lacks in size.  Just south of L’Aquila and bordered by the A24/A25 on three sides the park is easily accessible by car.  Our visit to this exceptional park in October started from the A25, taking the turnoff for Pratola Peligna/Sulmona and initially following the signs for Raiano.   After driving straight through Raiano the road takes you gradually up into the mountains affording spectacular views of the Peligna valley along the way.

 

As you climb into the park you enter  an impressive gorge (don’t forget to stop for a drink at the natural spring (from a tap) a mile or two into the park, as this is thought to bring good luck), following the signs for Castelvechio Subequo.  On reaching the small mountain town of Castelvechio Subequo we took the road onto Gaglino, and from there onto the road that cuts across the ‘waist’ of the park heading for  town of Rocca di Mezzo.   As you climb higher into the park the road shows signs of the extreme conditions it has endured over the years by way of potholes and cracks to its surface,  even given these  blemishes it is still a reasonable mountain road to drive in the milder seasons - in winter as with all the wilder places in Abruzzo all the necessary precautions should be taken including a set of snow chains as required.