Itinerary Abruzzo road trip
10 days in Abruzzo: the green region of Europe
Why visit Abruzzo?
If you are wondering what are the reasons to visit Abruzzo by car, read my itinerary about what I think are the main stops of the tour "Abruzzo road trip".
A tour of Abruzzo by car will allow you to cross the wonders of the green region of Europe admiring unique castles, villages among the most beautiful in Italy and lots of nature in search of the famous Marsican bear or of the fascinating Abruzzo chamois without neglecting the sea with the historic coast of Trabocchi.
From April to September is the best time to visit Abruzzo.
Abruzzo road trip in 10 days
DAY 1
- Pescara
Pescara is a modern city on the Abruzzo coast, the main hub of the region and an excellent starting point.
DAY 2
- Pescara - Hermitage of S. Bartolomeo (46 Km/28 mi)
The hermitage of S.Bartolomeo is set in the rock and is considered one of the 10 most beautiful hermitages in Italy.
Read my article "San Bartolomeo in Legio: one of the most beautiful hermitages in Italy".
- Hermitage of S. Bartolomeo - Caramanico Terme (9 Km/11,8 mi)
Caramanico terme is a pretty village famous for its thermal baths.
- Orfento valley
In the Orfento valley it is possible to carry out various hiking routes that start from Caramanico Terme and run alongside the Orfento river.
Read my article "Orfento Valley: the canyon of biodiversity".
DAY 3
- Caramanico Terme - Tirino river (37 Km/23 mi)
Tirino is considered the clearest river in Europe where it is possible to go canoeing in its crystal clear waters. A short distance away there is a lake which is one of the favorite destination for snorkelers.
Read my article "Tirino: the clearest river in Europe".
- Tirino river - Castle of Rocca Calascio (25 Km/15 mi)
Read my article "Rocca Calascio: the castle of Ladyhawke".
- Castle of Rocca Calascio - Castel del Monte (11,6 Km/7 mi)
Castel del Monte is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
DAY 4
- Castel del Monte - Campo Imperatore (25 Km/15 mi)
Campo Imperatore is a plateau of the Gran Sasso massif called "little Tibet" because of its similarity to Tibetan landscapes.
Read my article "Campo Imperatore: the little Tibet of Italy".
- Campo Imperatore - L'Aquila (37 Km/23 mi)
L'Aquila is the capital of Abruzzo and among the most important Italian cities from a historical and cultural point of view .
DAY 5
- L'Aquila
- L'Aquila - Castle of Celano (67 Km/41 mi)
Celano has a skilfully restored medieval castle overlooking the Fucino plain, a short distance from the town it is possible to make interesting hiking trails inside the Celano Gorges.
DAY 6
- Castle of Celano - San Domenico lake (39 Km/24 mi)
The lake of San Domenico has its strong point in emerald waters.
Read my article "Lake of San Domenico: the emerald lake".
- San Domenico lake - Scanno lake (4,4 Km/2,7 mi)
Read my article "Lake Scanno: the heart-shaped lake".
- Scanno lake - Scanno (4 Km/2,5 mi)
Scanno is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and it is not uncommon to meet a bear strolling through its streets.
DAY 7
- Scanno - Barrea (32 Km/20 mi)
Barrea is a pretty village overlooking the omonym lake from above.
Read my article "Barrea Lake: the deer lake".
- Barrea - Castel di Sangro (21 Km/13 mi)
Castel di Sangro is a town a stone's throw from several ski resorts and a destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
- Castel di Sangro - Roccaraso (10 Km/6,2 mi)
Roccaraso is the most important Abruzzo ski resort.
- Roccaraso - Pescocostanzo (6 Km/3,7 mi)
Pescocostanzo is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and a real pearl of Abruzzo.
DAY 8
- Pescocostanzo - Wood of Sant'Antonio (9,2 Km/5,7 mi)
The wood of Sant'Antonio is one of the most beautiful beech woods in Abruzzo and was once considered sacred.
- Wood of Sant'Antonio - Palena (21 Km/13 mi)
Palena is a small jewel called "the land of orchids".
- Palena - Castle of Roccascalegna (34 Km/21 mi)
Read my article "Roccascalegna - the castle on a spur of rock".
DAY 9
- Castle of Roccascalegna - Fara San Martino gorges (19 Km/11 mi)
Inside the gorges of Fara San Martino it is possible to do several hiking trails and practice climbing.
- Fara San Martino gorges - Balzolo (19 Km/11 mi)
Balzolo is called "the balcony of Abruzzo" for its panorama of the surrounding mountains, it is the beginning of a spectacular hiking route.
Read my article "Balzolo: Abruzzo balcony".
- Balzolo - Guardiagrele (9 Km/5,6 mi)
Guardiagrele is a small town rich in history and culture.
DAY 10
- Guardiagrele - Fossacesia (33 Km/20 mi)
Fossacesia has a magnificent abbey on a hill with a direct view of Coast of Trabocchi.
Read my article "Coast of Trabocchi: the suggestive Abruzzo coast".
- Fossacesia - Ortona (17 Km/10 mi)
Ortona can be defined as the beginning of the Trabocchi coast, clearly visible from the top of its magnificent Aragonese castle.
Read my article "Ortona: Coast of Trabocchi beginning".
- Ortona - Pescara (27 Km/16 mi)
Suggest other interesting stops within this itinerary by commenting the article.
What to do in Abruzzo:
- Reach the castle of Rocca Calascio
- Drive on the roads of Campo Imperatore
- Eat fish on one of the "trabocchi" on the sea
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