Donkey Hiking

If you’ve never hiked with a donkey before, it might be hard to imagine what it’s like. You don’t ride the donkey – you walk alongside it. The donkey carries part of your gear using a special pack saddle. You won’t be moving fast, and it’s not necessarily less tiring than a regular hike – just because your backpack is lighter.

A donkey is more than a pack animal: it’s a travel companion, a friend on the trail, someone you need to get to know. Donkeys have their good days and their stubborn ones, their own personalities and their own pace.

Walking with a donkey means opening yourself up to something new. It might be challenging and exhausting at first – but over time, human and donkey become a well-matched team…

Short Donkey Walk

If you're spending your holiday in Abruzzo and are curious to find out whether trekking with donkeys is for you, we have the perfect option: we offer easy half-day walks, ideal for anyone who wants to try out this experience in a relaxed and low-key way.

For example, you can take a walk with one of our sweet donkeys to the ancient medieval watchtower of Goriano – a peaceful, scenic route of about 2 hours through the quiet, historic rural landscape of Abruzzo. Or you can follow the trail to the Aterno River, where a small Roman bridge still stands intact – a 4–5 hour excursion through nature, archaeology, and the rhythm of slow travel.

These shorter walks are also perfect for families with young children, who often form an instant bond with our donkeys: gentle, intelligent, and surprisingly sensitive animals. Every outing is a chance to slow down, listen to the silence of nature, and share the journey with a four-legged companion who’s never in a rush – but knows the true value of time.

Multi-Day Donkey Trekking Tours

To truly connect with “your” donkey we recommend our multi-day treks. It takes time for that special bond to form between human and animal – a connection built on trust, mutual attentiveness, and the quiet rituals of daily life.

Our trekking options include 3-, 4-, or 6-day tours, with daily stages ranging from 4 to 7 hours of walking, depending on the route. The trails lead through breathtakingly diverse landscapes: you’ll cross ancient mountain villages, solitary high plateaus, narrow gorges, and enchanted forests that seem straight out of a fairytale.

These treks require good physical condition, as you’ll often be hiking uphill or downhill on rugged mountain paths, sometimes quite steep. But don’t worry – each tour can be adapted to your pace, and we can plan rest days along the way to relax, sample local specialties, or simply enjoy the silence of nature.

Spending several days on the trail with a donkey by your side means learning to truly slow down, to notice the little things, and to communicate without words. It’s an authentic adventure that combines deep contact with nature and the quiet joy of loyal company – your donkey, just stubborn enough, but affectionate and steadfast like few others.

Holiday Apartment with Donkeys

For families with young children – or for anyone who doesn’t want to go on a long trek but still dreams of a holiday with donkeys – we have a special offer:

Spend a week in Goriano Valli, staying in a cozy holiday apartment – and during your stay, a pair of “care donkeys” will be your gentle companions.

You’re free to take them on walks, brush them, pamper them, care for them, or simply spend time cuddling and enjoying their company.

We’ll provide you with plenty of tips and route suggestions for lovely short or longer outings – with or without donkeys – in the beautiful surroundings of the village.

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