A motorcycle odyssey through the wild heart of Abruzzo

Route details

Experience a spectacular round trip from L'Aquila over the majestic heights of the Gran Sasso and down into the gentle hills of the province of Pescara. This Tourer combines alpine exhilaration on the Campo Imperatore with the medieval charm of Italy's highest fortress.

Abruzzo is the best-kept secret for motorcyclists in Italy - a place where the asphalt opens the door to another world. Our journey begins and ends in the historic town of L'Aquila, the proud center of the region. Even after the first few kilometers, you can feel civilization fading in the rear-view mirror as the silhouette of the Gran Sasso d'Italia looms ever more dominantly on the horizon.

The first major highlight is the ascent to Piazzale Fonte Cerreto. Here, at the foot of the massif, the ascent begins into a landscape that is not called "Piccolo Tibet" for nothing. The vastness of the Campo Imperatore is breathtaking: a huge plateau framed by barren, snow-covered peaks, where the rider feels small and at the same time infinitely free. The air is thinner up here, the colors more intense and the silence is only interrupted by the sonorous rumble of the Engine.

An absolute must on this Route is Rocca Calascio. The ruins of the medieval hilltop castle sit enthroned like a stone sentinel at an altitude of over 1,400 meters. The sight of the fortress against the panorama of the Apennines is a motif that you will not soon forget - it is one of the most photogenic places in Italy.

After the rugged mountains, the Tourer heads east in a wide arc. The landscape changes dramatically: the rugged cliffs give way to the gentle, green hills of the province of Pescara. Places such as San Giovanni Teatino and Cappelle sul Tavo offer a wonderful contrast to the high mountains. Here you drive through olive groves and vineyards, while the blue of the Adriatic flashes in the distance.

On the way back, we pass Penne, one of the "Borghi più belli d'Italia" (most beautiful villages in Italy). The red-brick town nestles picturesquely against the hills and invites you to make a short stop to soak up the atmosphere of the historic alleyways. The final Stage takes us back to L'Aquila. This Tourer is more than just a series of Curves; it is a journey through the soul of Italy, between wild nature and centuries-old culture.