Via Civita 71
64010 COLONNELLA
(TERAMO)
Tel. +39.0861.753434
cell. +39.347.4671480
cell. +39.349.8683776

HILL 1
From Campli to Vibrata Valley

Driving on the provincial road from Campli towards Ascoli Piceno, it is possible to visit Civitella del Tronto which dominates the Vibrata and Salinello valleys from its fortress.
The fortress, a symbol of the burg, was the last Bourbon bulwark until the unity of Italy, it was built on a travertine-hill and it enjoys a beautiful panoramic position from which one can see the Flowers Mountain (Montagna dei Fiori), the Ascension Mount (Monte dell'Ascensione) and Campli.
In the little medieval burg there is San Francesco church, the thirteen-century church of San Lorenzo with the vault of the Beata Angiolina, the Mansion of the Count de' Termes, the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dei Lumi, The Montesanto Abbey and Castel Manfrino, this last built accordind to King Manfredi's plans.

Going from Civitella towards the sea one passes through Val Vibrata which is rich in monuments like the Tower-guard with the banners of Charles V, at Martinsicuro, the church of Santa Maria a Vico built in pre-romanesque epoch on the ruins of a temple dedicated to Hercules, at Sant'Omero (a village founded by Charlemagne), the Museum of country civilization, at Controguerra.
Other centres are Torano, Colonnella and Sant'Egidio alla Vibrata, in that area it is possible to taste the fine wines coming from the valleys and to do shopping in many factory shops of fancy leather-goods, clothes and knitwear, which are the merit of the economy of the province.

HILL 2
From Atri to Giulianova

This is one of the most charming and complete itineraries in the province of Teramo as it offers an overall view of part of its hillside area.
From Atri, first across the SS 533 and SS 150 highways, then moving in the direction of Santa Maria di Propezzano and Morro d'Oro, to enjoy a splendid view of the entire Vomano valley.
Visit the church and the village then cross the SS 150 highway to reach San Clemente al Vomano.
We really do recommend a break to visit the church, which deserves special attention.
We reach the lovely villages of Castelbasso and Castellalto along provincial road 25, located right on the ridge that separates Val Vomano from Val Tordino.
We take provincial road 24 and provincial road 16 to turn back down the valley, as far as Ripattoni, where the beautiful church of Santa Maria in Herulis is located.

From this village we return to provincial road 16, climbing again in the direction of Bellante, to be enchanted by the panorama that unfolds before us: with Gran Sasso behind us and the Vibrata hills rolling before us.
From Bellante, across the SS 262 highways, we move towards Mosciano Sant'Angelo.
After a tour of this traditional town, we can reach Giulianova, where the itinerary concludes, but not before consenting a final splendid panoramic view on the Adriatic sea.

COAST
Da Martinsicuro a Silvi

Martinsicuro, Alba Adriatica, Tortoreto, Giulianova, Roseto degli Abruzzi, Pineto and Silvi.
Seven sisters that are the undisputed sovereigns of the Teramo coastline, from the Marches as far as the province of Pescara.
The coast's beauty and the substantial historic and natural heritage of the towns create a fascinating backdrop, with hills that roll down to the sea, scented Mediterranean pine groves and watch towers that seem still to bristle with the ghosts of their former inhabitants.
Fishing, tourism, one or two unusual production activities (like liquorice) and more important productions are at the economic basis of their lives.

GRAN SASSO 1
From Prati di Tivo (mt. 1450) to the Garibaldi Refuge (mt. 2230), on to the Rio Arno falls, Val del Mavone and Campo Pericoli (3 hours on foot, by mountain bike or on horseback).

This is quite a long and varied itinerary that crosses one of the loveliest of the Gran Sasso valleys.

Part of this route is shared with Sentiero Italia.
Take the dirt track that rises to the left at the Hotel Prati di Tivo, leaves the woods and reaches the crest that separates the Rio Arno valley from Prati di Tivo, continuing upwards and skirting the sheer Corno Piccolo rock face, we reach the Rio Arno falls.
The road continues upwards and after the aqueduct intake, out of the woods it turns into a path. Cross the lovely plain beneath the Intermesoli face, with the dell'Orso grotto on the right and the Ginepri gorge on the left. As we proceed the Mavone valley extends to the east into the vast, soft and rippling peaks of Campo Pericoli (in the old days known as Campo Aprico - open field).
On the right there is a path that climbs up a steep gravel track and in an hour of strenuous ascent will lead to the Grilli col (mt. 2220).
Opposite we find the pyramidal spire of the Pizzo Cefalone peak (mt. 2533), immediately to the left there is Mount Portella and its pass (mt. 2385) and then the Duca degli Abruzzi refuge (mt. 2260). On the left a path rises that is a short cut, but tiring, to the Garibaldi refuge.
Continuing along the bottom of the bowl, in the direction of Pizzo Cefalone, under whose slopes there are traces of ancient shepherd refuges known as "Le Capanne" (mt. 1957).
These constructions are present in the Vasto valley and in larger numbers on the Montagna dei Fiori slopes.
The origin of these simple spontaneous structures meets with various and contradictory explanations; the most charming hypothesis compares these stone huts to the tholos constructions, because of the resemblance in structures.
Turn left and shortly afterwards, when the slope becomes less steep, on the right, we encounter a fork that leads to the Portella pass, which enables access to Campo Imperatore through Passo del Lupo (2156 metres).
Continuing along the path through the meadows, gradually, negotiating the sink-holes, we reach the Garibaldi refuge (2231 metres).
From the Garibaldi refuge you may opt for any of these itineraries: For the western peak of Corno Grande across Brecciaio col (mt. 2912 - time: 2 hours); For the Duca degli Abruzzi refuge (mt. 2260 - tempo: 1 hour); For Mount Aquila col and peak (mt. 2495 - tempo: 1 hour); For Campo Imperatore (mt. 2130 - hotel, cableway, hostel, observatory - time: 1.30 hours).

GRAN SASSO 2
From Casale San Nicola to Fonte nera and back.

Cut through the town of Casale San Nicola (mt. 859), rising to the left.
After the last houses the road becomes a track and after a short distance this reaches the San Nicola spring from which crystal-clear cool water flows.

Above the spring there is a votive aedicule containing a ceramic tile made in Castelli, which depicts the legend whereby the Saint put back together the dismembered bodies of three children found in a basket, and resuscitated them.
Returning to the track we soon (10 minutes) reach the chapel of San Nicola where there are also the relics of a hermitage built by the Camaldolesi brotherhood (mt. 1096).
From here there is an impressive view of the "Paretone" of Corno Grande's Eastern peak.
The walk continues down to the underlying gutter channel, property of the electricity board, then we cross the torrent using a small iron bridge and proceed on the comfortable path through flourishing vegetation and wonderful clearings, before reaching Fonte Nera (mt. 1060).
Continuing along the gravel path that drops down to the left and after the woods, past the abandoned sheds, the walk ends at back at Casale San Nicola. (Time required for the whole walk, 2 hours approximately).

GRAN SASSO 3
From Castelli to Monte Camicia

In order to reach the base of the northern face, you leave the village of Castelli and take the road for Rigopiano.
After 3.7 kilometers you will get to a clearing just before a curve to the left and here you will find a yellow sign that marks the beginning of the trail (770 meters).
You then follow the footpath until you reach the pebbly banks of the stream that runs down from Fondo della Salsa.

Climb along the stream until you get to the bottom of the face.

LAGA 1
From Ceppo to the Morricana Fall

From Ceppo take the road that enters the forest in front of the Julia Hotel. You will then get to a crossroads about 800 meters down the road.

You can leave your car here (1364 meters).
Take the road heading to the right over a flat area and into the Martese Forest.
After about 5 kilometers, as you approach the bottom of the valley, a steep dirt road descends to the right.
Take this road down to the Castellano Stream. Cross the stream and then turn left through the underbrush.
The trail is poorly marked at first but improves a little further on. Follow the trail as it heads up towards the left side of the valley until you find another trail running up from below, after passing over a long stretch of flat terrain.
Turn right onto this trail and follow it until you get to a vast grassy clearing (la Piana).
Follow the narrow path through the grass, which is sometimes quite high, cross the little stream and continue up along the right side of the stream which you will cross again moving towards the left and re-entering the forest. You will then begin a gradual ascent which soon becomes steep and leads out of the forest to a point where you can see the head of the valley.
After crossing a canyon (1755 meters) you walk down , crossing Cannavine Canyon (with a beautiful waterfall about 100 meters below) and reaching the other side (the Folds of Morricana with a small farmhouse).
From here, moving along the right side of the valley, you will pass several waterfalls which originate from branches of the Fosso dell Morricana. From the folds you can go down into the forest below, moving towards the left (the terrain is very steep to the right).
When the terrain becomes less steep you should move to the right crossing a canyon and descending down a path. Turn right where the trail leads down to the Castellano Stream (1580 meters).
Here you can admire the great Morricana Falls.
Avoid descending to the canyon before or after this point because the slopes are very steep.

LAGA 2
From Ceppo to Pizzo di Moscio

Take the dirt road from Ceppo that leads up to the right (the dirt road on the left leads to Morricana Falls).
After climbing gradually for a few kilometers, you will reach the Lago dell'Orso clearing (mt. 1800) and from here you can admire the entire Laga range, in particular the peak of Monte Gorzano.

LAGA 3
From Cesacastina to Fosso dell'Acero, Cento Fonti Valley and summit of Laghetta

From Cescastina you follow the road that leads up to Colle della Pietra and on to the Piane.
Here you turn left into the road leading down to a bridge over the Acero Canyon.

You continue another three kilometers beyond the bridge where you can park at approximately 1320 meters a.s.l.
You can then set out on foot from Cesacastina, taking the trail to the west of the village that runs past the charming old fountain carved out of sandstone (mt. 1157).
The trail continues along the right side of the Fosso dell'Acero and eventually comes out on a road which you will follow for 300 meters towards the left.
A short driveway on the right leads to an ENEL shelter (mt. 1352).
You then proceed up a narrow path through a small grassy valley.
In the upper valley the trail curves to the right passing through meadows and leading into a forest.
You will then cross over a small canyon and continue along a ridge that runs between the small canyon which you crossed and Acero canyon.
The path gradually leads away from the canyon and into a dirt road near a hairpin turn.
You then take a wide trail on the right that leads to a scenic clearing overlooking a waterfall.
Continue along the stream parallel to a very large rock slab that the stream runs over and you will come out of the woods after crossing a small brook on the right.
Walking over grassy mounds you will reach another waterfall, and just above the falls, after crossing a dirt road, you will reach the Mercurio Spring (mt. 1800).
You can then proceed up the wide Valle di Cento Fonti, with its many canyons, moving towards Sella di Gorzano.
You will eventually reach the head of the valley where it curves sharply to the left(west).
Walking along a wide ridge you will get to the highest point of the Laghetta (mt. 2372).

GEMELLI MOUNTAINS
From Ripe di Civitella to the Cave of Sant'Angelo and the Gorges of Salinello

n the village of Ripe di Civitella (mt. 610) take the road next to the church following signs for Grotta Sant'Angelo.
You will then begin to descend until you reach the terraced ramp leading up to the Cave of Sant'Angelo, which can clearly be seen in the rocky wall. Here archaeologists have unearthed artifacts spanning from the Neolithic Age to Roman times.
The cave was later used as a hermitage.

IInside you will find and interesting altar, but don't miss the beautiful view of the valley below and the Gemelli mountains as you look out from the mouth of the cave.
This area also boasts a wide variety of wildlife including the peregrine falcon, golden eagle and the even rarer Italic geotritone. The path then continues winding through broom plants and you must be careful not to stray from the trail.
After a steep slippery descent, you have a number of choices. You can go down a very steep path, to be negotiated with extreme caution, which leads to the most spectacular point on the itinerary where the Salinello stream winds down through a narrow gray rocky passage, smoothed by the gushing water, leading to a 30-meter waterfall.
If you proceed straight ahead you will reach the top of a large boulder, which offers beautiful views.
Lastly, on the right, a short descent leads to the top of the above-mentioned falls.
Pressing onward to the right of the main trail you will enter a forest, where lilies of San Giovanni and orchids bloom in the spring.
Then continue along the trail, marked with yellow and red as well as green for certain stretches, always staying on the right side of the river.
You can easily walk through the narrow canyon when the stream is low, but it is dangerous in the winter and the beginning of the spring when run-off from rains and melting snows swells the stream into rapids.
In order to cross the stream you have to use some overhanging rocks to get past several boulders standing in the a pretty pool.
After a few meters, you re-cross the stream an continue until the gorge narrows spectacularly.
A little further on , another one of the numerous pools blocks the path unless you are willing to proceed through the water.
If you enjoy more open spaces you can proceed to Castel Manfrino and Macchia da Sole.