The excursion to Mount Corno Grande featuring the ascent through the "Direttissima" and the descent through couloir Canale del Tempio offers an extremely evocative and thrilling experience with very interesting mountaineering aspects. The excursion develops within a spectacular environment with breath taking landscapes. One of the most renowned and appreciated itineraries in the Gran Sasso area.

  • Mount Corno Grande, Gran Sasso
  • 6 hours
  • High difficulty
  • Presence of nearby refreshment point
  • Maximum number of participants
  • Suitable for adults only

Information about the ski mountaineering excursion to Mount Corno Grande

From Campo Imperatore the path goes up towards Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi; after passing the astronomical observatory the hikers will take the via normale trail that goes up to col Sella di Monte Aquila. Going up towards Mount Corno Grande the path passes col Sella di Corno Grande and it heads for the "Sassone" (a big stone). A short stretch on the ridge, then, leads to “Direttissima” that will bring the hikers straight to the west summit of Mount Corno Grande.

The descent starts on the first stretch of the "Direttissima" or through couloir Canale Bissolati, before entering the very beautiful and technical couloir Canale del Tempio. Once out from the couloir the path gets to Campo Pericoli and, through a downhill stretch and with a short (about 200 meters) climb back up it will reach Portella. Skiing down through the namesake valley the hikers will go back to Fonte Cerreto.

As an alternative, from Campo Pericoli it is possible to go back to the summit of Mount Monte Aquila and go down the nice slope of the south side from where, with a short stretch with the seal skins, the hikers will shortly go back to Campo Imperatore and then, through one of the many valleys, to Fonte Cerreto.

The ski mountaineering excursion to Mount Corno Grande, with the descent through the Canale del Tempio couloir, features declivities between 40° and 50° and it is rated as OSA (very good ski mountaineer). It features about 1000/1200 meter elevation gain from Campo Imperatore to the west summit of Mount Corno Grande and a 1900 meter elevation loss until Fonte Cerreto.

Price of ski mountaineering excursion to Mount Corno Grande

€ 380 - Price up to 2 persons

€ 410 - Price up to 3 persons

€ 440 - Price up to 4 persons

Where to meet your mountain guide for a ski mountaineering to Mount Corno Grande

  • Meeting point On the day of your excursion, meet your guide at:
    Funivia del Gran Sasso d'Italia (Cable Car Station)
    Loc. Fonte Cerreto
    67100 Assergi, L'Aquila - AQ
  • Meeting time 8.00 am
  • Geographic coordinates 42°25'35.4"N 13°31'42.7"E
  • Transfer There are no transfers from the meeting point to the excursion site.

What to bring

  • Skis
  • Ski boots
  • Telescopic poles
  • Skins
  • Ski crampons
  • Crampons
  • Mountaineering ax
  • Avalanche kit
  • Avalanche backpack
  • Climbing harness
  • Carabiners

What you need to know

  • Equipment Remember to bring the minimum required equipment for the activity. If you do not own the equipment let us know, we will provide it for you, if available or for hire.
  • Reservation The reservation for this experience is individual, with a dedicated mountain guide. It may be reserved for a number of participants no greater than the maximum number allowed.
  • Excursion price The price shown is for the excursion with the dedicated mountain guide and possible transfer using the guide's private vehicle. It is valid for individual reservations for a number of participants that does not exceed the maximum number allowed.
  • Safety The mountain guide may cancel or suspend the excursion or change the itinerary if minimum safety conditions are not guaranteed. Please view the terms.
  • Moderate terms of cancellation The terms of cancellation and change for this experience are moderate. Please view the terms.

How to reserve your mountain guide

To book the ski mountaineering excursion to Mount Corno Grande with a mountain guide, you must send a request that provides and specifies your contact information, the number of participants and the date/period in which you wish to take the excursion.
We will respond immediately to confirm the availability of the guide, the deadline, if any, to confirm the option for the reservation, methods of payment, characteristics and organization of the activity.
Once the reservation is confirmed, we will send you the receipt and the presentation voucher with the details of the service, the name of the mountain guide or the mountaineering school, and all the contact information.