Corno Grande (Gran Sasso) from Campo Imperatore

Climb from Campo Imperatore via the direct route, from Sassone onwards it is all climbing over rocks and canals, fun, challenging without exaggerating, breathtaking views, it has only one flaw, it is too short, you would like it to continue and continue .... once you reach the top (too many people to be able to fully enjoy it but rightly the mountain belongs to everyone) you go down via the normal route, practically no one does the direct route downhill. Stop by the Duca degli Abruzzi refuge for a well-deserved beer and return to the cable car square (some photos are not in chronological order 🤷‍♂️)

EEA route quite challenging but very rewarding for the beautiful views that can be seen. The Ferrata Bafile is well organized with new cables and bindings, shock absorbing cones are also provided. Unfortunately he didn't record the part of the return with the passage to the Rifugio Duca Degli Abruzzi. This is the video I published: https://youtu.be/3bKLfiGzEgo

The route is overall beautiful and very suggestive. But the 'Direttissima' section is really complex and not feasible for many. It should absolutely be said. Very clearly. The timing of the signs does not correspond at all to the real time taken. And we are trained and we go at a good pace!

EE level hiking trail. Total duration 6h and 30min. Excellent preparation and experience are required on exposed, slippery terrain similar to via ferratas. The last stretch is absolutely not recommended for inexperienced people. Absolutely necessary trekking clothing and mountain boot.

Campo Imperatore - Corno Grande Western Summit - Duca degli Abruzzi Refuge - Return to Campo Imperatore

Route done on Saturday with a full crowd of hikers and the last stretch before the summit was clogged, so 7 hours and 45 minutes of walking including breaks. However, up to below the saddle of the brecciaio it is quite quiet and has a spectacular landscape with grassy meadows that contrast with the lunar panorama of the horizon, from that point onwards the route becomes for experts, from 2600m with a view of the Corno Piccolo on the right the route becomes for trekkers with salt in their head and no problems with vertigo, let's be clear, nothing impossible or criminal, but you climb among sharp rocks with the help of your hands and temporarily putting away your poles, in short, it's not a trip to do in sneakers as I've personally seen , slippery and slippery terrain with stones on the wall made slimy by years of trekker passages. Avoid holidays and weekdays if possible because the uphill and downhill columns force you to take even more dangerous zigzag routes and to take a photo at the summit you will have to take your number. The return with suitable shoes is unexpectedly easier than the climb. Ultimately magnificent landscapes, boundless, windy, fresh and cold even under the terrible heat of July (be careful the sun burns even if it doesn't seem like it), absolutely worth doing even if you don't like rocky landscapes, it's worth it in every way All. For expert and above all concentrated hikers, it does not require any other equipment other than suitable shoes and a backpack. Finished with focaccia, mortadella and pecorino and a coffee at the refuge strictly in sweatshirts (always the end of July) and a peaceful return under the setting sun towards Campo Imperatore. PS due to a break in the refuge I reactivated the GPS late so you will see a straight line just below where instead the route is very simple with a wide and very well maintained and signposted zigzag path.

Ascent to Corno Grande western peak from the normal route, with descent via the ridges with final passage to the Duca degli Abruzzi refuge

The tour is actually 12km, I accidentally didn't activate the Garmin in some downhill sections