*** The Highlands ***

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The major plateaus are the strong point of the region’s mountain tourism, with accommodation facilities and equipment suitable for welcoming tourists throughout the year, able to fascinate with their majestic strength and the infinite expanses the soul of nature lovers, able to appreciate the extended and silent spaces far from the roar of the coast and raised above modernity.

A vast territory covering an area of 30 sq km, of great landscape value, through which the ancient route of via Minucia , the main route that connects the north to the south, traveled since ancient times by Annibale and San Bernardino da Siena, by Boccaccio and Vittorio Emanuele II, from Mazzini to the Aragonese and Angevin kings and frequented by Renaissance merchants.

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• Plateau of Campo Imperatore

The Plateau, also known as Little Tibet, extends for approx. 25 Km at an altitude of 1800 meters. s.l.m. in the green heart of Abruzzo, in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. Fonte Vetica, a village located on the eastern side of Campo Imperatore is still remembered today for a tragedy of the early twentieth century, during which a shepherd was killed with his children during a storm. The event is commemorated with a monument by Michetti.

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• Plateau of the 5 Miles

The Cinque Miglia Plateau extends for over 9 km, in ancient times corresponding to 5 miles, at an altitude between 1250 and 1280 meters. s.l.m .. Crossed by State Road 17, the major artery that connects the northern part to the south of Italy, the plateau releases ancestral attraction and magnatism. Part of its charm derives from its reputation as an inhospitable place full of dangers for the traveler: an area devoid of shelters, plagiarized by sudden and violent storms that have claimed a considerable number of victims over the years. In the sixteenth century, a storm killed three hundred infantrymen of the Venetian League: the event had such a resonance as to induce Emperor Charles V to erect five fortified refuges in the area with towers equipped to sustain life. A curious phenomenon occurs in spring, when small lakes form on the surface, due to the thaw and the still frozen ground that is unable to absorb the water that forms on the surface. The plateau is characterized by the variety of its flora of firs, beeches and meadows, the rich fauna of bears, wolves, foxes, deer and squirrels, caves and springs. To visit the medieval church of the Madonna del Carmine.

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• Floor of Cascina

The Piano di Cascina, located at 1050 meters above sea level, is a little known karst area of great naturalistic interest and of great beauty. On the reliefs surrounding the plain there are boundless birch woods, a tree characterized by white bark, beech, hornbeam, hornbeam and a large number of plants with pharmacological power. It is also populated by important bird species such as the shrike, the gardener, the calander and in some periods of the year the white stork.

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• Aremogna plateau

The plateau, of karst and alluvial origin, is located south of the imposing and complex chain of Monte Greco, at an altitude of 2283 meters above sea level.

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***The heights***

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• Pietre Cernaie

Spectacular rock formation with a jagged crest, reaches an altitude of 1782 m asl and overlooks a small fountain from which fresh and crystalline water flows and a small lake, which in summer refreshes hikers. With its wild appearance and complex orography, the presence of streams and streams and covered by dense woods, it offers itineraries of great interest for enthusiasts. The Path of the Sun, a natural corridor between the two vast protected areas of the Parks, is interesting for the passage of the specific fauna that populates the environment.

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• Monte Tocco

The hill, whose summit reaches 1681 m in height, overlooks the plateaus, opposite the towns of Rivisondoli and Roccaraso and offers a spectacular view of the Sangro Valley, against the backdrop of the mighty Mole of the Maltese of Molise. Covered by magnificent woods, ideal for picnics, it is located on the path of the Path of the Sun which starts from Fonte dell’Eremita and crosses the chain to Fonte Cernaia.

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• Monte Calvario – Monte Rotella

The massifs delimit the territory of the ridge that separates the Cinquemiglia Plateau from the Valle del Bosco di Sant’Antonio. From their peaks, Monte Calvario 1743m and Monte Rotella 2129m, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the mountains on the western side, towards the National Park of Abruzzo, Scanno and Valle Peligna.

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• Monte Porrara

The mountain marks the southern end of the Majella massif and dominates, with its steep slopes and the remarkable altitude of 2137 m, the Quarto di Santa Chiara. Reachable by the path that starts from the Madonna dell’Altare or from Passo di Forchetta, it offers a view that extends from the Aventino Valley, the Adriatic and the Peligna Valley, enclosing in a single glance all the Abruzzo landscape wonders.

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• Monte Greco

Imposing mountain, with its 2285 m, it is the highest peak in the area, on the border between the Altipiani Maggiorni and the Valleys of the Abruzzo National Park, dominating the Serra di Rocca Chiarano. It is possible to reach the summit from the Rifugio dell’Aremogna, continuing on foot through the Patches of the Treasure up to the ridge of Sella delle Gravare and crossing the plain of Antone Rotondo, all strewn with bumps and valleys, until you reach an armored path that leads to the north ridge of the summit, from which the panorama of the Majella and the Abruzzo National Park opens up.

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• Monte Arazecca

The large mountain reaches an altitude of 1830 m and offers a wide view of the Aremogna plain and the Sangro Valley. Reachable only on foot, along Val Canara and Valle Azenaro, until you reach Sella Campitelli, after which you turn left, entering the dense bush that reaches the rounded summit.

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*** The Taste of the Mountain ***

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The gastronomy represents, for this territory, a strength that has its roots in the ancient Abruzzo tradition, and in its dedication and constant work dedicated to sheep farming and craftsmanship.

Among the first courses, in addition to hand-made pasta, including gnocchi, tacconelli and tacconi, during the winter polenta seasoned with sofritta pork or mutton ragout stands out in the kitchen. The highlight of the highlands are potato gnocchi with mutton ragout, together with pecorino cheese. In spring, soups with mountain vegetables, orapi and wild chicory or with legmi are preferred, which represent a variation of prestige for the healthy and genuine cuisine of the Highlands.

The mutton, lamb and mutton meat, in its variety of cuisine, is the basis of the main courses, the mutton ragout is an excellent condiment for homemade pasta.

Among the confectionery products we remember the mostaccioli, the flakes (ugly but good), the Easter pine cones, the amaretti, the pizzelle and during the carnival period the cicerchiata covered with honey typical product of the highlands.