The best MTB trails around Ofena

The Torre di Forca di Penne is what remains of an old watchtower located on the pass of the same name, between Capestrano and Brittoli, in a strategic point of inner Abruzzo. It was a true sentinel of the passage between the Tirino valley and the areas towards the Adriatic, therefore it had a function of controlling the territory and the transits along the Tratturo Magno and connected routes. Today it is remembered above all as a very suggestive but fragile presence: after the 2009 earthquake its condition was described as very compromised, with the ruins still visible but in a state of strong degradation. Precisely for this reason it is often told not only as a historical monument, but as a symbol of the memory of the Abruzzese trattural landscape. From a geographical point of view, Forca di Penne is a pass at about 918-920 meters above sea level and the tower is located in an area that is also a starting point for hiking trails and MTB routes. Therefore, in addition to the historical interest, it is also a very beautiful place to include in a nature tour between Capestrano, the Tirino Valley and the Gran Sasso reliefs.

The story of Pupo Nunzio di Roio from October 1919 is one of the most poignant historical tragedies of the Abruzzo region. It symbolises the harsh and dangerous reality of the transumanza (the seasonal migration of livestock), which for centuries determined the economic and social life of this Italian mountain region. This place commemorates one of the most tragic events in the history of the transumanza, the age-old migration where shepherds drove their sheep every summer to the green pastures of Campo Imperatore and returned in the autumn to the warmer plains of Puglia. In the autumn of 1919, the 41-year-old shepherd Nunzio Pupi, better known as Pupo Nunzio, postponed the descent for a few days. The autumn was exceptionally mild, and he wanted to let his flock of no less than 5,000 sheep graze for as long as possible. But the weather unexpectedly turned. A fierce snowstorm caught him by surprise in the middle of the high plain. Together with his two young sons, Idolo (12) and Alfredo (11), and their loyal sheepdog, he became disoriented in the snow. None of them survived the icy storm. The entire flock also perished. According to local legend, his wife Ersilia Caruso could not cope with the loss of her husband, her children, and their sole source of livelihood. She died a short time later, consumed by grief. This moving story recalls the hard life of the shepherds, who were completely dependent on nature and often paid a high price for their existence. About the monument: Monument of Fonte Vetica In Fonte Vetica, on the southeastern plateau of Campo Imperatore, stands an impressive monument commemorating the tragedy of 1919. The Abruzzese sculptor Vicentino Michetti immortalised the shepherd, his two sons, and their dog as they desperately fought against the icy snowstorm. A little further away stands the statue of the mother, with outstretched arms directed towards the mountains, hoping to see her family return alive. Although the monument tells one poignant story, it has become a tribute to all the shepherds of Abruzzo who, over the centuries, risked their lives during the arduous transumanza. Anyone who stops at Fonte Vetica today immediately feels the impressive combination of overwhelming beauty and the unforgiving power of this mountain landscape.

Don't just ride or cycle past the Laghetto di Pietranzoni. This small mountain lake, located at an altitude of 1,660 meters in the middle of Campo Imperatore, is one of the most photogenic spots in the Abruzzo region. The natural lake, formed by glaciers, constantly changes size due to meltwater and rain, making every visit different. Why stop here? On a windless day, the imposing Corno Grande, the highest peak in the Apennines, is beautifully reflected in the clear water. The endless high plain, aptly nicknamed 'Little Tibet', offers a unique landscape full of peace and space. Moreover, it requires hardly any effort: from the parking lot, you can walk to the shore in just a few minutes. In spring, thousands of blooming crocuses provide a colorful spectacle, while the lake is a perfect spot year-round to take a break, take photos, and fully enjoy the impressive landscape.

It’s an enchanted village, walking in those narrow alleys makes you dream, just like the delicacies that Barbara and Andrea expertly prepare in their small restaurant make you dream.

From Popoli, take the road to San Rocco (Via delle svolte) to enjoy the beautiful dirt roads of the Tirino valley.

The village is a little gem, it's a shame the welcome isn't great for cyclists, but it's a rather touristy area.

The village is a little gem, it's a shame about the lack of hospitality for cyclists.

A superbly beautiful village with narrow streets and delicious restaurants. However, it's also the most touristy village for miles around. Tour groups are also "delivered" here by bus.