Immersing yourself in nature, retracing history and traveling in a sustainable way: these are the pillars of slow tourism that fascinate a growing number of people. In this scenario, the Cammino dei Briganti, one of the most loved and significant itineraries of the central Apennines, is preparing for a 2026 season full of innovations, which strengthen its connection with the territory and its green vocation.
This route, which winds through the rugged but fascinating borderlands of Lazio and Abruzzo, in particular in the Marsica and Cicolano areas, has for years been a point of reference for those who want an authentic experience on foot. Inaugurated in 2015 with the collaboration of the Compagnia dei Cammini, the Cammino dei Briganti recalls the fascinating and often forgotten history of brigandage, an era in which these mountains were a refuge and escape route for those seeking freedom from the Savoys. An epic of clandestinity lasting 150 years, which today can be relived step by step, along a 7-day itinerary, well marked and equipped.
A renewed path for a more fluid experience
The most significant innovation for 2026 concerns the route of the path itself, which becomes entirely itineranteliminating permanent stages. This means that the two nights in Cartore with the circular excursion to Lago della Duchessa are no longer planned. Now, from Nesce, it will be possible to reach Corvaro and go directly to Lago della Duchessa, and then go down to Cartore where you will stay for just one night. This significant change aims to enhance the dimension of the journey as a continuous journey, enriching the overall experience and the variety of landscapes crossed.
Luca Gianotti, coordinator of the Compagnia dei Cammini and founder of the Cammino dei Briganti, expresses this spirit of evolution with conviction:
The Path of the Brigands today is different. It has changed a lot in recent years and, according to those who have traveled it recently, it has improved. Anyone who hasn’t done it yet should plan to do it. Those who have already traveled it some time ago could discover a renewed itinerary, with many new features to experience step by step, alone or with the Compagnia dei Cammini which organizes four trips along the route between spring and summer.
A new digital portal just a click away
For those who prefer to organize their journey independently, 2026 brings a new, highly efficient tool: the website www.camminodeibriganti.it. Completely renovated and bilingual (Italian and English), the portal presents itself as an updated reference point, offering an interactive map that can be consulted in satellite and hiking mode. Here walkers will find detailed information on the route, useful information for organizing the trip, practical advice for hiking and a section dedicated to accommodation along the stages. The objective is to provide a modern, intuitive and complete tool to accompany the traveler before, during and after the experience, promoting responsible and aware tourism.
“The caravan on the road”
Another important innovation, which combines art and identity of the route, will be the creation of a sculpture along the Cammino dei Briganti, a tangible symbol of the itinerary and its history. The work, entitled “The caravan on the road”, is the winner of a competition organized thanks to funding from the Abruzzo Region. Made in perforated corten irona material that gives lightness and transparency while reducing environmental impact, the sculpture was designed by architect and multimedia artist Cesare Pergola.
It depicts a caravan led by a brigand, leading a mule, followed by two modern walkers and a crowd of wild animals typical of the Abruzzo mountains: the eagle, the fox, the wolf, the chamois and the bear. Located in one of the most panoramic and evocative points between the Municipality of Sante Marie and Tagliacozzo, the work will be integrated with the renovation of an ancient fountain and the addition of a small wooden building, useful as a daytime shelter and night-time emergency bivouac. This sculpture will represent a new element of identity, capable of telling the spirit of the journey, the link with the territories crossed and the memory of the brigand events that constitute its soul, in full harmony with the values of respect for the environment that GreenMe promotes.
An invitation to conscious travel
The Brigands’ Way continues to evolve, confirming itself as a dynamic and growing itinerary, capable of renewing itself without losing its identity. These innovations for 2026 make the route even more accessible, engaging and respectful of the environment, in line with the principles of sustainable and authentic tourism. Whether you choose to leave alone or with an organized group, the Cammino dei Briganti offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with nature and history, rediscovering the beauty of slow travel in the central Apennines. Get your boots ready: adventure awaits!
