The ice mountain – hikes in Italy’s Lucretili Mountains

This Collection’s name may mislead you into thinking it features the highest mountains in Italy, the great 4,000-metre (13,000 ft) Alps. Instead, you’re about to get to know one of the most interesting and least known Apennine areas in Lazio – the Monti Lucretili Regional Natural Park.

This mountain range is located a few kilometres northeast of Rome, and its highest peak, Mount Pellecchia, is just 1,370 metres (4,495 ft). So why did I call this Collection 'The Ice Mountain'?

Until the end of the 20th century, these mountains were used for the snow trade. Snow was produced here in the form of ice and sold to the nearby town of Tivoli and to Rome. To produce the snow, it was collected in the mountains or in specially dug wells. It was then compressed and later loaded onto wagons to travel to its final destination.

The four daily itineraries I propose in this Collection take you through the surprising biodiversity of this small mountain region. The Lucretili Mountains are unique. They are the watershed between the Apennine mountain chain and the vast Latium plain that extends to the Tyrrhenian Sea. It’s precisely the proximity to the sea that characterises the low altitudes of this massif, with slopes covered by Mediterranean scrub.

You’ll climb to the summit of Mount Gennaro, catching the scent of helichrysum (everlasting flowers), wild oregano and broom. As you reach the rounded summit of Mount Pellecchia, you'll walk among centuries-old beech trees.

Inland, you'll venture into more humid and karstic environments, and water will accompany you on the ascent to Monte Guardia. You'll be surprised by the bright colours of the Percile lakes. You'll find it hard to believe that such different environments and landscapes can exist within just a few kilometres.

The peaks you'll reach have modest elevations, but you'll always feel like you’re on the roof of the world. The view will range from the blue of the sea to the rocky walls of the Gran Sasso massif.

You can venture out on these trails at any time of year. During the winter, I recommend taking a pair of crampons with you as the peaks, which are very exposed to wind, can have icy sections.

You can reach the routes by car, with some starting from villages and others from car parks along secondary roads. I recommend bringing sandwiches or a nice packed lunch to enjoy on the peaks.

These mountains are little frequented and solitary. You'll often walk in the silence of nature. The paths are all well waymarked but, due to the type of terrain, they can be difficult to see due to the growth of vegetation, so always keep your gps available.

You'll encounter many domestic animals grazing freely, such as cows and horses, as well as many wild animals, especially foxes and wild boars. Along the trails, you'll spot the long quills of porcupines and perhaps some wolf tracks. The protected area of the park is also home to a pair of golden eagles.

All this just a few steps away from one of the most famous cities in the world, Rome!