When I opened my eyes at 6 am on Saturday this week to began another day in Molise, I pondered for a moment as the alarm on my phone woke me up that perhaps I would give the walk with Alessandro and Michelle from the Moliser Explorer group a miss.

But I dragged myself out of bed, deciding resolutely that I would join them to explore the Matese National park.
I can now hardly find the words to express just how happy I am that I made the effort.
Alessandro asked me to meet them in the village of Guardiaregia.
A small village on the edge of the park.

It's war memorial commands a view over the valley below, and the church sits watching over the village.While I was waiting for my fellow explorers to arrive I wandered around with my camera in hand as usual. The children were on their way to school, and a smattering of people were having their morning coffee at the local bar aptly named " Wish you were here" as I indeed I wish you were too , to be able to enjoy all that Molise has to offer.

When Alessandro and his team arrived we set off to explore the first leg of our journey. We initially climbed up some steps to a viewing platform above the village which looks out onto a huge canyon below, and mountains beyond. This weekend they were sprinkled liberally with a fresh covering of snow, which from a distance resembled icing sugar scattered on the top a cake.

After gazing in awe on the view below, we set off with our trusty guides to explore pastures new.

Driving up into the Matese mountains above the villlage we parked at a Refugio called Santa Maria, then set off to follow a route up to the top of Bear Mountain.

I had not expected there to be quite so much snow, some of it only having fallen this week.
We were walking at around 6000 feet, 1600 metres..Quite a contrast to my walk along the beach at Termoli the previous afternoon!
This is the magic of Molise, an opportunity to experience such an astoundingly beautiful landscape in less than a hundred miles, literally from the mountains to the sea,

Sunlight reflecting on the glistening snow, the trees still barely in bud.

Paths leading through trees and across rocky outcrops. An opportunity too to be surrounded by nature, to enjoy peace and quiet, treading paths carpeted in virgin snow.
Apart that is from the occasional animal footprint.
Having examined these closely we decided they were probably that of a lone Wolf. We were able to follow them for at least a mile, before we changed direction to follow another path. Someone did suggest they were the footprints of a Yeti, but I am sure they were those of a Wolf.
There are some in the area, although not many as the food is sparse. They are now found closer to he farms at lower altitudes obviously because food is more abundant.

Michelle and Alessandro our guides were both excellent, a great inspiration too for everyone with them. Always ready with a smile of encouragement and a light hearted banter to keep us all going.
The walk was not difficult, but was reasonably strenuous. To walk at this altitude requires a reasonable level of fitness...

We walked through trees, which towered above us, birches, beeches and oaks. We came across one Holly tree, the only evergreen we saw. Apparently the leaves of the Holly are only prickly on the lower branches of the tree to deter animals from eating them. They say you learn something new every day.

The ice on a crystal clear frozen pond, which sparkled in the afternoon sun seemed to cast a uniquely alluring spell the forest around it, enchanting everything around it.

The trees bare branches stretching up to reach the sky, reflected on the gleaming snow.

We walked onwards and upwards, clambering up to reach the top of Bear Mountain, where we met by this astonishingly beautiful view.
A man made lake, called Lake Matese, it sits nestled amidst the mountains providing a valuable water source to the farms which surround it.
Cows like toys in a children's farm grazed on green meadows below, and a smoke drifted off into the distance from a farmhouse.
We stood above it looking down on what seemed like another world so far below us, with mountains rising on the far shore high into the turquoise sky.

After a brief rest to refuel on wine, salami and almonds we walked on, clambering up still higher.

Walking in the crisp snow was incredible, covering everything like a thick white carpet. Scattered flowers added splashes of colour, tiny purple Crocuses, and bright blue Gentian.

At this point we were about halfway through our expedition, which although strenuous had not taken its toll on anyone. But tummies were beginning to rumble having expended so many calories so it was clearly time to stop for lunch.
"Pranzo al sacco" is the Italian word for picnic. Which literally means a picnic in a bag. However just like every meal eaten in Italy it is taken seriously so there was plenty to go round.
Broad beans and panini,ffennel, oranges and almonds
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A Tasty and healthy feast.

Once refuelled we resumed the journey to our destination, which was to see the entrance to some pot holes, hidden in the forest., called the Pozzo di Neve, which means a "well in the snow" they are tucked away virtually hidden by trees, and in a few months time cloaked in green they will be virtually impossible to find unless you know where they were are. They form what are apparently one of the largest cave networks in Italy.
Exploring them would require a serious speleologist, or caver, something we were certainly not planning to do, not on this particular adventure anyway.

Following the trails through the forests and national park is fairly straightforward as the paths are well signposted, with signs and marks on the trees clearly define the way.
The paths here are called Sentiere. We were able to follow them for the most part but it is better to have an experienced guide to show you the way, as well as impart local knowledge...

The gallery of photos below are just a few posted here to illustrate to illustrate just a fraction of the beauty of all I encountered on my first expedition into the Matese mountains.
Thank you both Alessandro and Michelle - the Molise Explorer group for letting me tag along.
I cannot wait till the next time.

If you want to know more about walking, mountain biking, Jeep Expeditions and boot camps here in Molise ... let me know. because together we can promise you not just a holiday but an experience
contact me on FACEBOOK, text 0044 7867 419833 or email... madeinmolise@yahoo.com