Rocca Calascio is a medieval fortress in Italy built in the sky with an altitude of over 1,400 meters. In addition to being the highest located castle in the Apennines mountains, Rocca Calascio is a true gem of Italian history, culture, and architecture of the Middle Ages.
Rocca Calascio sits in the heart of Abruzzo, an underrated yet astonishingly gorgeous region of Italy which borders Rome and the Adriatic Sea. The fortress manages to boast panoramic views of both the deep valley below and intense mountain peaks of the Gran Sasso National Park above.
Reaching Rocca Calascio is an allure in itself as it’s only accessible by a short hike. Anyone who is willing to put in a slight sweat to get to the top is rewarded with one of the most breathtaking sceneries in all of Italy. The best part is, it’s still off the radar for most international tourists.
In this guide, discover how to visit Rocca Calascio and everything to know before you go.
❗️This post was 100% written by a human author based on real-life experiences without the use of AI-generated content or images.
The Essentials for Visiting Rocca Calascio
🚶🏻♀️To reach the top of Rocca Calascio, you must walk uphill. You can only get so far with a car or by shuttle bus. To determine how long your hike will be, it depends on the season and if the main road has been blocked off or not.
🚗 The closest parking lot to the castle is found here and only holds about 10 cars. If you’re visiting in the summer, expect this car lot to be full or inaccessible.
🥾 During the weekends of summer months, the road (Via della Torre) that reaches the small parking lots is completely closed off to individual cars. In this case, you must park in the town of Calascio and take a paid shuttle to Rocca Calascio (or walk for free).
🚉 It’s possible to get to Rocca Calascio from L’Aquila by bus in less than one hour. From Rome, you can hop on a 3-hour train ride to L’Aquila.
☀️ Rocca Calascio is a free outdoor attraction and can be seen year-round. However, you can only visit the interior of the castle during the summer from 9:00am to sunset.
📸 Don’t miss additional points of interested nearby! Spend the night near Rocca Calascio and explore the Abruzzo region.
Is Rocca Calascio Worth Visiting?
Rocca Calascio is a fortress built in the Middle Ages and on a ridge line nearly 1,500 meters above sea level. It is among the highest located castles in all of Italy and arguably one of the most scenic. From the summit of the castle, you can peer over the Tirino Valley and the incredible landscape of the Gran Sasso National Park. On the same grounds as the fortress, the octagonal Church Santa Maria della Pietà is nestled beneath the castle and creates an unbelievably picturesque panorama.
With four corners, consisting of cobblestone towers in a cylinder shape, the castle was unquestionably built in a prime location for defence. To walk through the remains of what was once a grand complex feels enchanting and the closest experience to stepping back in time. As recently as 1986, Rocca Calascio underwent conservative restorations and has even been used as a filming location, most notably in Ladyhawke.
→✈️ Search for flights to Rome or Pescara ←
How to Get to Rocca Calascio
Where is Rocca Calascio?
The fortress of Rocca Calascio is located in the Abruzzo region of Italy, which sits in the central part of the country. Rocca Calascio is in the province of L’Aquila, which is predominantly defined by a mountainous landscape and home to multiple national parks. Reaching the castle can be a little tricky, given its remote location.
While Rocca Calascio is situated closer to the coastline of the Adriatic Sea on the eastern side of Italy, it’s not terribly far from Rome. L’Aquila, the capital of the Abruzzo region, is the largest city near the famous castle and is just 45 minutes away.
The two closest international airports to Rocca Calascio in Abruzzo are Rome Airport and Pescara Airport.
→ 🚘 Book a rental car from Pescara Airport ←
Driving to Rocca Calascio
Getting to Rocca Calascio by car is the easiest way and most straightforward without having to rely on a bus schedule. Whichever direction you are headed from, the drive is guaranteed to be incredibly scenic and takes you through some of the most authentic pockets of Italy.
The roads to reach the castle are all paved, but can be narrow and curvy at times. Any confident driver can make it to Rocca Calascio without a sweat.
Camper vans are not allowed to access the road from Calascio to Rocca Calascio. The road is not wide enough and parking of large camper vans makes it difficult for others to manoeuvre their cars.
More on this below, but driving all the way to the top of the fortress is not always possible during certain periods in the summer. This is in an effort to minimize the traffic when there are crowds (more on this below).
→ 🚙 Book a rental car from Rome Airport ←
Parking Near Rocca Calascio
There is one small parking lot near the village just below the entrance of the small village. It can only accommodate about ten cars. If you visit Rocca Calascio in the summer, expect this parking lot to be completely full or unavailable. When this happens, people begin to park along the side of the road. Obviously, this narrows the already skinny road and can create some finicky driving situations. If you have any experience with driving and parking in Italy, this is nothing to be surprised by.
Parking on the side of the road which leads to Rocca Calascio is not prohibited. As long as you leave enough room for a car to pass by, you’ll be fine. Again, this is only assuming that the Via della Torre road is open for individual cars during the time of your visit.
Getting to Rocca Calascio by Public Transportation
Without a car, you can get to Rocca Calascio by using public transportation from two major hubs in Abruzzo – L’Aquila and Pescara. From L’Aquila, there are buses which depart to Calascio (the town below Rocca Calascio) a few times per day. Getting to the fortress from L’Aquila is vastly easier than from Pescara, but if you must, you can take a bus from Pescara towards L’Aquila.
From L’Aquila, depart from the Collemaggio Bus Terminal and catch the bus that’s headed towards Castel del Monte. Then, get off the bus at the Calascio stop and walk the remainder of the way (uphill) to the castle. This takes less than one hour and costs under €5 one-way.
The bus journey from Pescara to Calascio is a bit longer (min. 2 hours). From Pescara, depart from the Pescara-Via Conte di Ruvo Civico 1 station towards L’Aquila-Bus Terminal Collemaggio. Get off the bus at the Barisciano-SS.17-bivio stop and take another bus towards Castel del Monte. You will exit the bus at the Calascio station.
Reference accurate bus schedules in Abruzzo directly from the provider (website is in Italian).
→ 🚏Find schedules and bus tickets to L’Aquila ←
From Rome to Rocca Calascio
Aside from driving, the next best way to get to Rocca Calascio from Rome is by train and then by bus. Fortunately, it’s possible to hop on a train toward L’Aquila from Roma Termini Station (center of Rome). Departing from Roma Termini, you will then transfer in Terni to board a train towards L’Aquila. From there, you will complete the bus journey to Calascio (as mentioned above).
Getting to Calascio by train and bus will take around 3.5 hours. If you were to drive from Rome to Rocca Calascio, the journey is just over 2 hours long.
→ 🚉 Book train tickets from Rome to L’Aquila ←
Hiking Route to Rocca Calascio (Map)
To reach the castle of Rocca Calascio, you must walk. It is not possible to reach the fortress directly with a car. You can get as close as possible to Rocca Calascio with a car by parking here, but then you must hike to the top of the hill.
There are a couple of paths you can take to get to the fortress. We recommend the one which goes through the small village of Rocca Calascio for the full-blown experience. Furthermore, opt for the loop which takes you by Church Santa Maria della Pietà in addition to the castle itself.
The walking route is well marked by standard wooden “red white red” signs throughout the area. Just follow these and you will not get lost!
→ 🥾 Access more hiking trails in Italy ←
Visitor Info for Rocca Calascio
Is the Road to Rocca Calascio Always Open?
No, the main road (Via della Torre) leading to the village and castle of Rocca Calascio isn’t always open. In the summer, it is usually closed during the weekends and on holidays because there’s an expectation of it getting too busy.
When this road is closed, it means that you must park in the lower town of Calascio and either opt for a paid shuttle bus or a longer hike to the top.
Unfortunately, it’s tough to say for certain what days the road is closed because the deciding party “plays it by ear” and acts when necessary.
During the shoulder season and winter months (assuming there isn’t heavy snow), the road is free to access for visitors looking to park as far up as possible.
→ 🚙 Book a rental car from Rome Airport ←
The Best Time to Visit Rocca Calascio
Plan a visit to Rocca Calascio in Abruzzo during late spring or early fall. This way, you can rely on the main road to be open and have the ability to park at the top. Experiencing the magical Rocca Calascio without any other people around is spectacular, opposed to being among a crowd.
Visiting in the summer guarantees the best weather and when everything feels the most alive. Bars, restaurants, and shops in Calascio are fully operational in the summer. But… you run into the risk of the road closure. Additionally, there is such a problem as it being too warm from June – August. The climate at the peak of Rocca Calascio is very dry, which can be unbearable for hiking.
Located almost 1,500 meters above sea level, it’s not uncommon to see snow at Rocca Calascio in the winter, in addition to freezing temperatures. If you’re not deterred by a little flurry, seeing Rocca Calascio in winter with snow-capped mountains in the background can be an absolute dream.
→ ✈️ Find off-season flights to Rome ←
Biking to Rocca Calascio
Cyclists (and e-bikes) can reach the Rocca Calascio by following the main asphalt road, even when/if it’s closed off for vehicles.
The main hiking path to Rocca Calascio is reserved for pedestrians, but it is still possible to ride a (mountain bike) bicycle around the site. Cyclists will need to opt for the lower path which leads to Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pietà, instead of the fortress. You can leave your bike at the church and climb to the top of the castle.
Additionally, there are dirt bike paths that connect to Rocca Calascio from the north side for those who are coming from the Gran Sasso National Park.
Is It Free to Visit Rocca Calascio?
Among the top reasons to visit Rocca Calascio is that it’s completely free! Rocca Calascio is an outdoor attraction and as of now, there is no admission fee to enjoy it.
Is the Hike to Rocca Calascio Difficult?
If you are beginning your hike in the town of Calascio, prepare for a 1.5-hour round-trip walk and an elevation gain of around 213 meters (700 feet). This is the longest scenario of the hike’s difficulty, so if you happen to park closer, it only gets easier from there.
For any frequent hiker, the short trek to Rocca Calascio is very easy. Others may find the climb to be of low or moderate difficulty.
The path is rocky at times, particularly near the entrance of the castle so wearing practical shoes (not flip flops) is highly recommended.
🥾 Access hiking trails in Italy with AllTrails+
Rocca Calascio With Kids
Since the hike to reach the top of the castle isn’t wildly difficult, it’s a good destination to visit as a family. Children will definitely enjoy climbing the rocks and steering through the boulders upon arriving at a fairytale-like fortress. Personally, our daughter was excited to get to the top so she can see where princesses live.
If you’re traveling with a baby or toddler, by all means, do not bring a stroller. The last leg of the route which leads to the castle entrance is not stroller-friendly, and you’ll just be wasting your time. Instead, pack a carrier or hiking backpack to carry your little one.
Within the castle, keep a close eye on your young children because there are holes and windows (without glass) that a toddler can potentially squeeze their way through and fall from. In general, there are no guardrails or safety measures in place at Rocca Calascio so don’t let your kids frolic about without supervision.
Can You Go Inside Rocca Calascio?
The interior of the fortress is accessible during the summer months. It opens at 9:00 am and closes at sunset. If you visit during the shoulder or winter season, it may be possible to arrange a special appointment in order to see the inside of Rocca Calascio (contact: coopcalascio@gmail.com).
The fortress is still 100% worth visiting even if you don’t get a chance to see the inside. The stunning scenery and views are alone reasons to trek up there.
Are There Hotels Near Rocca Calascio?
The closest hotel to Rocca Calascio also happens to be the last building on the walking trail. The Rifugio della Rocca is a marvellously restored guesthouse and restaurant within a historic stone house. Given its close proximity to the fortress, it’s perfect for those interested in sunset photography of Rocca Calascio in the early morning hours.
Further below in the town of Calascio, there are a few more options including apartment rentals. However, we highly recommend staying at B&B Acca’ Lascio, a historic building with reconditioned details like original fireplaces, stone work and wooden beams.
→ 🛌 Find places to stay in Calascio, Abruzzo ←
More Places to Visit Near Rocca Calascio
Campe Imperatore
Campe Imperatore is a natural jewel of the Gran Sasso National Park. It is the highest Alpine meadow in the Abruzzo region and reaches an altitude of 1,900 meters. Its coverage area is packed with hiking trails, packs of horses running free, and one dramatic view after another. There is even an astronomical observatory at the summit. During the winter, it is naturally a popular destination for skiing. If you ask any nature lover in Abruzzo where their favorite outdoor destination is, they’ll point you towards Campe Imperatore.
→ 🗺 Read More: Best Places to Visit in Abruzzo ←
Santo Stefano di Sessanio
Just minutes from Rocca Calascio is the medieval and fortified village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio. Known as one of the most beautifully charming villages in Italy, this is a place where time stands still. It is accessible only on foot and features arched alleyways, a watchtower, cute boutique shops, and some really astounding hotels. The Sextantio Albergo Diffuso is impeccable and not to mention, one of the very few 4-star hotels in the area. If you’re an enthusiast for all things design related, this hotel is a must-see!
🛌 Find gorgeous hotels in Santo Stefano di Sessanio
Rocca Calascio Travel Resources
TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage
FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com
CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com
TRAINS, BUSES, FERRIES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio
ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago
ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo
TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator
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