The Vibrata Valley

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From the seaside resorts of the northern province of Teramo, you can head up the valley of Vibrata river to Civitella del Tronto. The area stretches to the border with Marche and retains many of the characteristics of this region. The municipalities are among the most industrious across the province.

Starting from Martinsicuro, a seaside resort which houses a guard tower with the insignia of Charles V, through a picturesque road lined with vineyards and orchards, you can reaches in just six kilometers Colonella, rich in monuments and stunning views of the rivers Tronto and Vibrata, on the Monti della Laga, Gran Sasso and the sea. From there along the main road in a short time you reach Controguerra, in which it forces the upper tower of the Palazzo Ducale. It continues then until Ancarano e Sant’Egidio alla Vibrata, the most populous and rich town in the valley. From here, walking down the main road to Villa Lempa and continuing along the SS 81 passing through the village Faraone, we find ourselves in Civitella del Tronto, a famous fortress that towers over the sea and the mountains. Hence, taking the SS 81 Teramo - Ascoli Piceno, turning towards Ripe, it can be traced (through a winding road in a pine forest with splendid views over the valleys and on the Adriatic) along the side of the Mountain of Flowers, with its caves and springs of the river Vibrata, and reach the ski and summer resort of San Giacomo di Valle Castellana, below the summit of Monte Piselli. From here you can walk across the valley to the village of Santa Maria or go back to Ascoli Piceno and the sea.

From Civitella del Tronto, however, it is possible to return to the coast by the main road along the river Salinello until Tortoreto Lido, or choose an alternate route. Walking the main road, it is not difficult to reach Sant’Omero, a town founded by Charlemagne, and inward, Torano Nuovo, famous for its wines and its wineries, the busiest of the whole province and the whole region. Torano is close to Nereto, industrial and commercial center. From Nereto, along the SS 259, after a while you reach the junction for Corropoli center rich in monuments that surely deserves a visit. At this point the route is more than complete. You can return to the coast along the main road that crosses the Vibrata river and reaches Tortoreto or the SS 259 until Alba Adriatica.

Find out all you need to know about Tortoreto at http://www.hotelposeidontortoreto.com/en/tortoreto-routes_30.html

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