Wind Turbine Park Walk – Tocco da Casauria

Centuries old olive trees bear witness to a new technology.

Updated June 2021

This short walk takes you to the heart of the wind turbines of Tocco da Casauria walking among olive groves and taking in the views of Morrone and Majella mountains and Tocco township.

STARTNG POINT: Fountain at Via Viaro, Tocco da Casauria

END POINT: Wind Turbines

TRAVEL TIME: 30 minutes one way

LENGTH: 600 metres

DIFFICULTY Easy

RECOMMENDED TIME OF YEAR: All year round. Not recommended after heavy rains or in the hot midday summer sun.

WATER FOUNTAIN: At the start of the walk on Via Viaro

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF WALK

On the road to the Convento Santa Maria del Paradiso in Tocco da Casauria in Via Viaro, is the entrance to a short but majestic walk amongst the wind turbines and olive trees with great views of Tocco and the Morrone and Majella mountains. The walk is marked by a sign Parco Eolico (Wind Turbine Park) and a fountain.

  • Map of walk
  • Sign and fountain at the start

The walk starts down a narrow road and then about 10mins into the walk there is a fork in the road. Take the path on the right and this leads you directly to the wind turbines. (The path on the left takes you on another walk amongst olive groves)

  • Fork in the road – take the right path

There are great views of the Morrone mountains in front and Majella mountains behind you. Keep walking another 10 minutes and you will be at the foot of the giant turbines. The path ends here. Return on the same gravel track.

  • Majella Mountain range
  • Tocco
  • Morrone mountain range

After the walk, you can explore the nearby Convento of Santa Maria del Paradiso and the town of Tocco da Casauria which is only 1km away.

Information on the wind turbines in Tocco

Tocco da Casuaria’s wind energy project began in 1989 when two wind turbines were installed. In 2007, four up to date turbines replaced them and a fifth turbine was added in 2018. Wind powers the entire town (pop approx 3000). The turbines are so efficient that they produce more electricity than is needed. The extra electricity is sold back to the national grid and the profits go to subsidising local services such as, school meals and street lighting. The model has been so successful that it was written up in the New York Times and BBC.