Forest Bathing and Slow Hiking

Ever since we began running our small eco-campsite retreat here in the North Eastern corner of the Maiella National Park since 2012, we have always maintained a comprehensive folder and online selection of self-guided hikes for all our campers. From 2025, we will also be adding Guided Forest Bathing sessions and Slow Hiking to our portfolio (see below for more info). The desire to bring these two mindful and immersive activities into the realm of the offerings we have here at Kokopelli Camping Retreat was born from a deep and profound love that we have for our natural world, her wilderness and her wildness.

The calling to do all we can to protect our beautiful planet and her inhabitants is strong and persistent. Just as strong is the belief that this fragile land can be saved by one project, one idea, one person at a time. Our contribution is to invite you to explore this beautiful land with us, in both simple and profound ways. Ways that have been carefully curated to allow you to fully immerse within our natural environment, with clarity, detail, awe and wonder.

From our personal explorations and from guiding hikes with our campers and friends, we have a wealth of experience and an intimate knowledge of these hills and mountains. Jacqui is a Forest Bathing+ Guide, trained and certified by The Forest Bathing Institute (accredited by the Complementary Medical Association). She is deeply conversant with the science behind the practice of Forest Bathing, is a mindfulness and meditation guide, and a mental health first aider. These combined skills and knowledge ensures that all our locations and programmes, whether you join us on a Forest Bathing session or on one of our slow, immersive hikes, will have been carefully selected and planned to provide the maximum benefits, to both mind and body, for all our participants.

Whichever session you join us on, you will be introduced to some truly beautiful parts of this still wild and untainted natural landscape within the Apennines of Abruzzo. Our aim is to gradually slow you right down, bringing your focus into your surroundings in such a way that you develop a deeper connection with nature and your true self. Focusing on nature in this way allows the mind to settle into stillness and the body to be at peace and to rest. Our groups are small, to a maximum of 10 participants, which means each person can enjoy their own space, or connect with others as they wish, forging friendships and sharing experiences.

As we move slowly through the landscape, you will be gently guided through a series of sensory exercises (Forest Bathing) and enjoy some quiet, reflective moments designed to allow you to step away from your busy, over-stimulating worlds. Each session will draw to a restful close with a deeply relaxing guided meditation.

Forest Bathing

Emerging initially from Japan in the 1980’s as a way of dealing with what the Japanese saw as an epidemic of “Techno-stress”, Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku) has grown exponentially across the globe, along with the vast body of science behind it. Many of us are seeking ways to find relief from the everyday stresses of our fast paced lives that often threaten to overwhelm us, and Forest Bathing is a way of reconnecting with nature and our natural selves. Moving slowly under a canopy of trees, engaging all the senses, has been shown to restore our mood, give us back our energy and vitality, refresh and rejuvenate us.

That we can find ourselves seeking solace and healing in nature and amongst the trees should come of no surprise, to be in forests (and near to water) is deeply encoded within our DNA. We evolved amongst the trees, our ancient ancestors spent over 100,000 years in savanna environments where forests and grasslands meet. We feel safe here, we belong here. Our bodies and minds can relax, heal and restore. Backed up by rigorous science, some of the many benefits demonstrated by the practice of Forest Bathing can include:

Boosted immune system

Reduced levels of stress hormones

Decreased scores for anxiety, depression, anger and fatigue

Improved happiness, creativity, calmness and stillness of mind

Improved sleep

Improved heart rate variability (HRV)

Normalised heart rate and blood pressure

Trained and certified by The Forest Bathing Institute (UK), Jacqui will walk you slowly, mostly in silence, through woodland in locations carefully selected to offer the most benefits, gently guiding you through a series of exercises designed to take you gradually deeper into your senses. You will feel the breeze on your skin and the softness of moss, you will listen to birdsong and the meandering stream, you will follow the movement of trees in the wind and the changing light as the sun flickers through the canopy. By engaging your senses and bringing them to centre stage, the volume on the cacophony of your inner thoughts is turned down as they are quietened and find a stillness.

Although we will be mainly in silence, without phones or distractions, there will be opportunities for sharing your experiences and connecting with the other participants should you wish. The session will come to a peaceful and serene close with a guided meditation, generally lying down, under the canopy of trees. An experience most people find deeply relaxing.

These sessions will be held in English and, depending on the location, can last for 2 – 4 hours, generally covering no more than 1km – 3km. Full information will always be given for every session (held monthly throughout the year and in all seasons) which you will see advertised on the various links below. Alternatively, to be added to her mailing list or to request a tailor-made session whilst you are with us, contact or speak to Jacqui directly and she will send you information on her programme of events or discuss your needs with you.

Slow Hiking

The slow hikes we offer are exactly that; a small group of like-minded people exploring this lovely landscape together, where the emphasis is on experiencing the beauty of our natural world as we walk together, rather than how far, fast or how high we climb. At times during our hike we will walk in silence, but we will also chat and share and connect. We will climb hills and cover the ground, but we will also take the time to sit and look, to listen and just be. We will disconnect completely from technology, but there will also be time for a few meaningful photographs.

These hikes will be guided mostly in English and, depending on the location, we will walk for between 4 – 6 hours, covering 8 – 10 km over undulating, natural terrain. Although we will be walking slowly and following recognised trails, there will undoubtedly be steep climbs and descents to negotiate as well as rough ground, possibly overgrown and muddy at times. No technical skills, clothing or equipment will be required, but we do recommend a general level of fitness (the sort of person more likely to take the stairs than the escalator), and clothing/footwear suitable to the season and location (full details will be provided, but please ask if you have any questions or concerns). We do recommend hiking poles if you have them, but we also have a few that we can lend to you if needed. You will be responsible for your own snacks, packed lunch and water.

Full information will always be given for every hike (held monthly throughout the year and in all seasons) which you will see advertised on the various links below. Alternatively, to be added to our mailing list or to request a tailor-made session whilst you are with us, contact or speak to Jacqui or Kevin directly and we will send you information on our programme of events or discuss your needs with you.