You may have heard that “Molise does not exist!” Believe it or not, it actually does, and its beautiful and unspoiled mountains bear witness to the undiscovered surprises hidden in even the smallest spots! In other words, trekking and Molise is a winning pair!
Before the pandemic last year, Annuniziata Lanni interviewed Antonio, an expert Environmental Guide and Hiker who has created a large number of Molise trekking itineraries. Antonio’s passion for the mountains and outdoor activities has inspired him to discover the most hidden corners of the region. Whether it is the Man And Biosphere Reserve of Collemeluccio-Montedimezzo, or the fascinating routes along the tratturi (the mountain paths traditionally used by shepherds twice yearly to move their herds between the mountains of Abruzzo and the plains of Apulia), he is always enthusiastic to show off the most untrammeled natural spots.
Why did you choose to start trekking and hiking in Molise?
“Trekking and hiking in Molise is immersion in an environment where nature is still dominant. Firstly, it has low population density. Secondly, man’s impact on the territory is low. Most importantly, trekking in Molise is a way to get to know the authentic Italy, because tourism has not changed people’s way of life. Here, you can easily connect with locals and the true Italian spirit.”
So, being a trekking guide in Molise sounds really exciting: what is your favorite itinerary?
“It’s hard to choose my favorite one because each of them is my own creation as if it is my son! Well, if I had to pick, I would say the Transumanza, borghi e natura del Molise tour, because it retraces the transhumance paths. Also, the Trekking nel Molise di Mezzo: natura e storia nel cuore dell’Appennino Centrale experience offers a breathtaking panorama from the Montagnola Molisana!”
View from the edge of the Montagnola Molisana
Where do people who join your travel experiences come from?
“The hikers I’ve been guiding in recent years are basically from northern Italy, especially from Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige. I also had the pleasure to meet a very nice group from Holland!”
Molise-Tourism is booming! What do you think about it?
“Although lately Molise has surged to stardom on the media, as for the mention in The New York Times, I don’t think that the tourism demand has increased … it is quite similar to last year’s requests.”
How do you see Molise trekking in 10 years?
“I believe in a positive future! I hope that Molise will grow more and more, improve the supply chain, including accommodations and facilities. I truly hope the tourism will not destroy the environment, but instead it will be a responsible tourism focused on quality, not quantity.”
Trekking vs Hiking: What are the differences?
“Trekking is a long journey because it originated in South Africa, when the descendants of the Dutch, the so-called Boers, had to escape upon the British arrival, pushing themselves into the interior of South Africa itself. Whereas hiking is a single-day excursion, involving activities such as climbing up to the top of the mountain or of the hill and so on…”
What would your life be like without hiking and the mountains?
“My life without trekking and the mountains would be quite boring and flat, because for me going around Molise’s nature is a rush of adrenaline! It fully expresses who I am. Spending days outdoors is a unique experience: walking, feeling the sense of fatigue… without it I would be a less happy person.”
What do you feel when you trek on the tratturi, the transhumance paths?
“Walking along the tracks is something magical; it is walking into the history of Molise! Something extraordinarily fascinating, wonderful! You walk learning the real roots of this land and the efforts our ancestors made to build our villages. Hence, you can fully experience the territory and feel the local connection with the spirit of places.”
Antonio and some trekkers on the Frassati Trails, Civitanova del Sannio
What trail do you suggest to beginners, and what trail do you suggest to more experienced trekkers?
“Surely for newcomers there is very suitable trekking by the Molise lakes, on trails which wind by the Occhito and Guardialfiera lakes and the hills that interpose themselves between. For the more experienced I would recommend the route that I call “Up and down the mountains of the Matese,” where you can experience the Apennine Massif with all its naturalistic and historical-cultural wonders.”
Enjoy Molise trekking while immersing yourself in a transformative service learning experience with Molise Italian Studies! In addition to intercultural citizenship education and linguistic and cultural immersion, our program includes four local tours/experiences, and other group activities organized around interest and regional happenings (and a four-day trip to Rome)!
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Interview and translation by Annunziata Lanni