Here we are at the second week of this journey; we will cover 269 km from Castel di Tora to L’Aquila, which, with its six stages, will take us to charming villages rich in history, lakeside landscapes and breathtaking views of the highest peaks of the Apennines.
The second week begins by leaving the village of Castel di Tora behind and continuing along the paved road uphill that leads to the village of Vallecupola, remaining within the Monti Navegna e Cervia Nature Reserve. Passing along the provincial road, we continue towards Varco Sabino, crossing a dirt road on the right-hand side, the first section of which is uphill, to then arrive at the village of Marcetelli. Shortly after passing the village, you will come across a dirt road on the right-hand side that leads to the village of Girgenti. Here, you take a paved road that leads to Lago del Salto, passing through the hamlet of Vallecieca. Skirting the lake, you continue towards Colle Pace, crossing a bridge to end the stage in the village of Pescorocchiano. (End of Stage 6)
After passing through the historic centre, continue along the provincial road towards Civitella and, crossing the bridge, you will first reach Borgorose and then Corvaro, skirting the Montagne della Duchessa Nature Reserve. Passing through the village and taking the paved road towards Castiglione, you will find a dirt road on the right-hand side that crosses the entire Malito Valley until you reach Castiglione. From here, take the asphalt road that leads to the Piana di Rascino, where the stage ends. (End of Stage 7)
Set off again along an uphill dirt road towards the Piana di Cornino. The route passes Lake Cornino and a small pine forest before beginning the descent on dirt road until it crosses the state road that leads to Rocca di Corno. You reach Antrodoco and from here you take the road, which is unpaved in places, that coincides with the old Via Salaria until you reach first Posta and then Cittareale. (End of Stage 8)
The ninth stage winds along the Salaria Vecchia on the paved road towards Terracino, passing through several villages such as Torrita, Pasciano and Roccasalli before finally reaching Accumoli at the gates of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. Continue along the secondary paved road that leads to Amatrice. (End of Stage 9)
Leaving the village behind, take the main road that winds through Cornillo Nuovo, Poggio Cancelli and Campotosto. The stage ends by skirting the entire eastern side of Lake Campotosto, following the main road towards Assergi. (End of Stage 10)
Leaving the lake behind and catching a glimpse of Gran Sasso, you will reach the junction for Assergi in the direction of S. Pietro della Jenca. Once you reach the village of Assergi, take a dirt road that leads to Aragno and then on to Colle Brincioni, this time along a paved road. After crossing the entire village, take a short stretch of well-trodden path until you rejoin a dirt road that leads to the end of the entire route in the city of L’Aquila. (End of Stage 11)
