How to Visit the Fara San Martino Gorges in Abruzzo

In the province of Chieti, there is a special place you absolutely must visit. It is one of the most beautiful spots in the Majella National Park, a true canyon accessible from the village of Fara San Martino.

The Fara San Martino Gorges are one of the most stunning places to discover on your journey exploring Abruzzo. The narrow gorge, 14 kilometers long with steep walls, will lead you to the summit of Monte Amaro in the heart of the Majella.

In the Gorges, you can also visit the remains of the San Martino a Valle Monastery.

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According to Christian iconography, it was Brother Martin who opened the narrow passes between the rocks to allow the local inhabitants to reach the green pastures and higher springs. The miraculous touch of the saint is said to be evidenced by the round marks of his elbows used to create the passage, left on the rock.

The Gorges of San Martino are the entrance to one of the longest valleys in the Apennines, the Santo Spirito Valley, which rises from Fara San Martino up to the roof of the Majella. The beautiful pass is formed by the erosion caused by the Verde River, creating a valley that reaches the village.

Within the Gorges, you can visit the remains of a monastery that resurfaced in the 1800s. The history of the San Martino a Valle Monastery is still to be written. What is known is that it dates back to the year 1000. According to some, it stands on the ashes of the ancient hermitage of Saint Martin. The monastery became a refuge and spiritual place for monks and hermits. Today, the gorges serve as a habitat for various bird species including golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and lesser kestrels.

The starting point for hiking through the Gorges is the village of Fara San Martino. Walk to the end of the village where you will find a descent that leads to the access of the gorges, where you will feel tiny in front of the towering rock walls.

In the first section, the walls of the caves are very close, widening gradually as you approach the remains of the Convent of San Martino. The path to discover the Gorges of San Martino is 3.5 kilometers long.

From here, the path ascends to reach Monte Amaro, which requires about 9 hours of walking.