The Mountains

The central Appenines present a varied terrain, with its rounded off mountains, and its distinct rocky alpine peaks crests and ridges, cliffs and glaciers. The summits are imposing, in a northwest-southeast position. The great appenine valleys give the landscape a wide, open panorama even at lower altitudes. This sensation of open space is reinforced by the presence of vast grassy plateaus and basins.

Many of the peaks are higher than 2000 mt, among which the most important are: Corno Grande 2914m, Monte Amaro 2795m, Corno Piccolo 2655m, Monte Gorzano 2458m, Monte Velino 2487m, Monte Sirente 2348m.

The Appenine mountain chain in Abruzzo is made up of a series of smaller subchains connected to valleys and long ridges running throughout the territory, produced by erosion: Valle del Saggittario, Valle di San Venanzio, Valle Subequana, and Valle di Roveto, which are all percorribili by winding roads.

Another characteristic of the Abruzzese Appenines is the presence of many grassy plateaus, almost always used as pastures, especially in the past. The widest plateaus are Campo imperatore, Rocche, Cinquemiglia. These pastures were originally forests which were cut down to make room for the traditional sheep and cattle raising activities, therefore the meadows are sometimes bare of trees, but full of flowers in spring. Other plateaus are hilly and covered with woods and small mountain lakes (Nuria, Simbruini Ernici mountains).

Other interesting sights are the high mountain valleys, for example the ones carved out during the Ice Age in the Maiella. These valleys often take the shape dramatic canyons, of inestimable naturalistic value.

The most interesting locations in the other mountain chains are: The d’Agri Valley, Voltigno Valley, Chiarino Valley on the Gran Sasso; The Salinello Canyon in the Gemelli Mountains, the Celano Canyon in Mt. Sirente-Velino ; Val Fondillo in the Abruzzo National Park ; the Chiarino valley in the Feudo Intramonti nature reserve. The environment in these valleys is quite wild, inaccessible, full of caves and ridges, forests, streams and spectacular flora and fauna.

The appearance of these mountains is extremely varied due to the great number of peaks. For example, the Maiella has about 70 peaks, which are basically rounded off, although there are several alpine type peaks, such as the eastern side of the Gran Sasso, the Camosciara and the eastern side of the Sirente.

The Gran Sasso boasts the only glacier still existing in the Appenines, the Calderone, which is the southern-most glacier in all of Europe, and which is of inestimable value in the study of climatic changes.

The Foothills

The eastern part of the region is characterized by the presence of an uninterrupted series of hills, creating a beautiful panorama. The high mountain ranges to the west and the sea to the east of these foothills create natural barriers, making it seem like they are suspended between the sea and the sky. These hillsides are not well known, but they are of great interest, especially because of the fertility of the soil which is particularly adapt for the production of olive oil and wine.

In fact, this land is covered with olive groves and vineyards giving it a particular note of color. The land was once rich in oak, pine, and maple woods, but has now been almost completely tamed and transformed into farm land.

Many of the trees found on this land have been planted by the farmers to set the borders of their property, and you can sometimes find roman pines, cypress trees and maritime pines planted on the grounds of the country homes. It is very relaxing to go for a ride through these hillsides, or even to take a walk through the fields, and then head back to the sea or the mountains, which are both only a few minutes away. The Abruzzese countryside is for the most part, ecologically intact, and the proof is in the lightning bugs which illuminate the June nights.

Each hillside hides, or brings to light a valley and then another hill. There are many nature reserves throughout the area. The woods of Don Venanzio are a remnant of the woods that practically covered the land during the middle ages. Other protected areas are: the Serranella oasis, the Lake Penne oasis, the Calanchi d’Atri reserve, the park of Città Sant’Angelo, the sulphur springs of Lavino. The best seasons for visiting these areas are Spring, Summer and Fall.

The Seaside

If you're looking for peaceful, relaxing sandy beaches or little bays, Abruzzo has a lot to offer. The northern coastline, from Alba Adriatica to Ortona, is a long, uninterrupted stretch of white sand, particularly adapt for families with small children, in particular because the water along the shore is quite shallow. Free beaches are alternated with beach clubs offering umbrellas, lounges and other services. Pineto is one of the most beautiful locations, with its Roman pine wood leading to the ancient lookout tower in Cerrano.

Between Ortona and Vasto the scenery changes: little bays and inlets are intercalated with rock, pebble or sand beaches, even some cliffs. The Sangro River delta boasts a white poplar, elm and weeping willow wood which almost reaches into the sea.

The typical Mediterranean vegetation, known as "Macchia Mediterranea" can be seen all along the coastline, and in particular in Torino di Sangro, also famous for its British War Cemetery, Punta Aderci and Punta Penna.

All along the coast you will find, from time to time, strange wooden constructions jutting out into the sea. These are the "trabocchi", special fishing rigs with nets which are lowered down into the water and then raised when full.

San Vito Chietino is a picturesque town overlooking the sea, known for the "eremo D'Annunziano", where the famous poet Gabriele D'Annunzio wrote some of his most famous works. Its beaches are at times sandy and at times rocky. In any case, the water is not very deep near the beach, making it an ideal vacation spot for families.