CASTEL CERRETO

Established with the regional law n.74 of November 4, 1991, the Natural Preserve of Castel Cerreto covers about 70 hectares and boasts on e of the few examples of heliophilous caducousfolio mixed forest which somehow survived man's destructive rush to acquire more agricultural lands.
The preserves establishment was spearheaded by the comune of Penna S. Andrea, which manages the park together with the local Pro Loco and the "Laccio d'Amore" Association.
Castel Cerreto boasts sweeping views stretching form the north face to Monte Camicia to the eastern summit of Gran Sasso.
The forest of Castel Cerreto, which is found at an altitude of between 400 and 700 meters above sea level and is crossed by the Rio Torrent, a tributary of the Vomano, is especially known for its flora and fauna.
Among its tree species you will find turkey oaks, maples and laburnums not to mention willows and white and black poplars which are favored by the numerous ponds and bogs.
You will also find numerous kind of shrubs including junipers, hawthorns, broom and butcher's broom.
The preserve is home to many night predatory birds including buzzard, sparrow-hawks and kestrels while night predators include the tawny owl, barn owl and horn owl. In the spring you can admire as many as three different kinds of titmouse and two species of woodpecker (green-peak and wallkeeper).
Mammals are just as numerous with dormice, wild mice, Apennine moles, weasel, foxes, hares, beech-martens and hedgehogs.

CORNO GRANDE OF PIETRACAMELA

Established on April 20, 1990, The Corno Grande Nature Preserve of Pietracamela covers 2200 hectares in the heart of the Gran Sasso Massif and includes its highest peaks.
The Comune of Pietracamela and the Italian Alpine Club spearheaded the establishment of the preserve and share its management.
The preserve was the last area to be protected before the creation of the new parks in the Abruzzo region. Dominated by the majestic "giant" of the Apennines, with its daunting vertical rock face which is so much a part of Italian mountaineering history, this area holds an undeniable fascination.
The preserve boasts the mt. 2912 Corno Grande, the mt. 2700 Calderone Glacier, Corno Piccolo (2655) as well as the rocky pillars of Pizzo Intermesoli (2635) which became part of the preserve after it was enlarged from 1000 hectares to its current size of 2200 hectares.
This is an ideal area for excursions, and you will find three CAI shelters along the preserve's paths: the Franchetti shelter at mt. 2433, in the upper part of the Vallone delle Cornacchie, between the faces of Corno Grande and Corno Piccolo, The Duca degli Abruzzo shelter at mt. 2388 on Monte Portella between Campo Imperatore and Campo Pericoli, and the Garibaldi shelter at mt. 2230 in the Conca d'oro of Campo Pericoli.
The preserve's unique wildlife, including the Abruzzo chamois, which was successfully re-introduced in 1992, and plant species enhance the beauty of the landscape.
Near the last stone houses in the Pietracamela district, the gateway to the preserve, a path leads into the chamois habitat, an area created for the observation of this animal.

FIUMETTO RIVER

Established with regional law n. 89 of November 20, 1990, the regional picnic ground "Fiume Fiumetto, " which covers an area of about 80 hectares , is a splendid example of harmony among nature, art and architecture.
Indeed, set naturally in the park area is the beautiful district of Castiglion della Valle, one of the most charming places in the whole province. It is thought that Lucrezia Borgia once stayed in the small village, further contributing to its fame.
The park, managed by the comune of Colledara, protects an area that stretches four miles between the Sazza stream and Fosso San Paolo.
In terms of natural attractions, the Fiume Fiumetto area contains a series of small but enchanting waterfalls as well as numerous marshes which boast a very wide range of flora.
The park contains a wide variety of trees including dogwoods, blackthorns, willows, poplars, bay oaks and British oaks of glacial origin.
The fauna is also varied and includes the green-peak woodpecker, the tree-creeper, the dark titmouse, the great titmouse and barn owl.
The parks mammals include badgers, beech-martens and skunks.

VOMANO RIVER

Established with the regional law n.109 of May 9, 1995, the regional picnic ground "Fiume Vomano" (Vomano river) covers 335 hectares and is the largest protected area of its kind.
As its name suggests, the park protects the Vomano River where it runs through the comune of Montorio al Vomano, which is the gateway to the National Park of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga.
The most important river basin in the province is particularly distinctive in this area with interesting erosion phenomena as seen in the numerous sandstone walls.
Several kinds of plants and animals thrive in these unusual geomorphologic conditions. Among the tree species you will find the ilex or holm-oak , a particular kind of oak well-suited to warm environments and bird species include the Peregrine falcon and the hoopoe.
Besides its natural beauty, this area also boasts the ruins of a Temple of Hercules, dating back to the Italic era, and the impressive though incomplete San Carlo Fortress in Montorio.

GORGES OF SALINELLO

Established by regional law n. 84 on November 13, 1990, the 800 hectare Guided Natural Preserve, "Gole del Salinello," offers one of the most beautiful and fascinating examples of the karst phenomenon, and bears witness to the numerous tectonic events which have affected the mountains in Abruzzo.
In the area between the cumuni of Civitella del Tronto and Valle Castellana the gorges, which were formed by the Salinello Stream, lie in the shadow of the Fiore and Campli mountains of the Laga Range, also known as the "Gemelli" (twins) because of their similar shapes. There are many parts of this landscape that bear witness to man's presence in the area dating back to ancient times, including numerous well-preserved caves.
Most notable among these caves is San Michele Arcangelo.
The splendid setting of the gorges is further enhanced by a wide variety of wildlife and plant life.
GEMELLI MOUNTAINS
In 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.
Inside 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.