The Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo is the oldest park in the Apennines, founded in 1923. It was small in the beginning years but continued to expand until the fascist government abolished it in 1933. The park was re-established in 1950 and continued its expansion beginning in the 1970s, after a period of massive tree destruction during the post-World War II building boom. Today, the park is nearly 200 square miles in size, about 100 times bigger than it was at its founding just after World War I.

Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo is a wildlife lover's dream, with all the foxes, hares, and other mammals you would expect, along with Marsican brown bears and Italian wolves. The Marsican bear is an endangered species; by some estimates, the population may number as few as thirty bears. The bears can stand more than six feet tall and weigh nearly 300 pounds. Other interesting species that can be seen in the park include the golden eagle, wild boar, and polecat, which is a species of weasel.

There are also more than 2,000 plant species here, including a rare yellow-and-black orchid species of lady's slipper. In the United States, you might know this orchid by the name “moccasin flower.”

The park is a year-round destination, with activities ranging from horse riding and hiking to canoeing and snow-skiing. You can find rental equipment at shops in the three provinces the park crosses: L'Aquila, Frosinone, and Isemia. L'Aquila, a college town full of energetic young adults, is arguably the place where you'll find the best selection of sporting goods.