GRAN SASSO D'ITALIA

English Great Rock of Italy mountain group, Abruzzi geographic region, central Italy, extending for about 22 mi (35 km) in a west-northwest-east-southeast direction and containing Corno Grande, or Monte (mount) Corno, the highest point (9,554 feet ) of the Apennines. The summit is snow-covered most of the year, and on the north slope of Corno Grande is the small Calderone glacier, the southernmost in Europe. Wild boars still roam the Alpine region below the summit, and there are some dense woods of beech and pine. The area is much frequented by winter sports enthusiasts and mountaineers.