For those looking to hit the ski-slopes at Prati di Tivo but without the snow and concentrate instead on walking amongst its Apennine meadow flowers, the best time to visit is from the end of April through to the end of June.

There is a great 2 hour ramble that leads from the base hotel at what will be an almost deserted ski-resort (there is 1 bar that remains open throughout the year – nothing special, but great to get a beer after your walk).  Anyway park at the bottom of the resort, there will be 2 hotels that have been shut up for the summer months if you are in the right spot.  Walk back up slightly and on the right you will see a sign indicating a footpath that leads up over the mountain to a small waterfall.  It’s great feeling to have walked somewhere you have ski-ed previously!  

The mountain itself looks like a fantastic cross between a giant kopje (like a lion’s den in Africa) and the cover of the Goldfrapp album Felt Mountain.  You will walk through a silent wood where all sound is cushioned by dead leaves, pine needles and a mass of silver trunks, quite eerie when Abruzzo is usually one mass of birdsong.  On upwards you come out into what feels like the heart of the Gran Sasso Massif where hillside rockslides look like petticoats in dolomite & limestone lace.  The waterfall isn’t massive but it’s a pleasant pinnacle for an easy walk of varying textures that would provide some great black & white photographs for someone of that ilk.

Useful Websites
Prati di Tivo website

Prati di Tivo Webcam - images from the previous 48 hours

View slideshow of Prati di Tivo