Journey into the land

Descrizione

We set out from the picturesque village of Montelparo and take the ridge road that leads us, after a few kilometres, to Santa Vittoria in Matenano, a village rich in picturesque corners and ancient stories that we cannot fail to visit. At the end of the main road, we pass under the imposing tower of Abbot Odorisio and then climb the hill, with the Vittoria sanctuary and the Church of the Resurrection.

Back on the road, we continue towards Montefalcone Appennino, a village perched on a cliff, dominated by its medieval fortress, which gives us unforgettable panoramic views. Just beyond the village, we pass through the historic Galleria delle Scalelle, a suggestive tunnel excavated in 1827, which reveals the stratifications of the terrain. Immediately afterwards, we turn right and take a minor road, tackling a short climb before letting ourselves be lulled by the descent towards Smerillo. Here, we leave our bikes and, starting from the belvedere park, we enter on foot a path that leads us to the ‘Fessa’ of Smerillo, a narrow canyon formed 3.5 million years ago; a cross-section of the earth's geological history.

Back in the saddle, we descend rapidly to the provincial road that runs along the Tenna valley. We turn right and, after a few kilometres, take another right to climb a ridge and pass into the Ete valley. This stretch is characterised by the phenomenon of the Vulcanelli di Fango, a geological phenomenon formed by small muddy eruptions of the subsoil that occur sporadically. The climb becomes tougher in the final stretch until we reach the Via dei Crinali, which we take to the left to quickly reach Montelparo, tired but certainly satisfied.