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map
technical info
Mountain stage with very few flat sections. Shortly after the start, the peloton will tackle the Monte Sirente, with its series of climbs (interspersed with short descents) ending in Campo Felice after about 50 km. Descent to L’Aquila followed by a slightly uphill road leading to Montereale. Next is the ascent of Croce Abbio (west side of the Passo delle Capannelle, which won’t be reached in this case) and a long descent of almost 30 km, leading to the foot of the final climb. The descent is characterised by numerous bends and two long, well-lit tunnels. Last 14 km totally uphill towards the ski resort.
Last km
The final climb is 14.5 km long at 7% average with peaks of up to 12%. It includes 22 hairpin bends and features the toughest gradients in the first part, especially in the town of Pietracamela, where the intermediate sprint is located. The last three kilometres are at 7%. Final straight of about 300 m on a 6m wide asphalt road.
start / finish
climb detail
final kilometres
itinerary timetable
tourist info
Host city:
PRATOLA PELIGNA
Overview
The first document in which the name of Pratola appears (“in loco Pratulae”) is an agricultural contract dated 997. From 1863, by Royal Decree, the town assumed the name of Pratola Peligna.
On January 9, 2006 the Municipality of Pratola was awarded the Bronze Medal of Civil Merit by the President of the Republic
Food
The “beans of Pratola”, “poverelli” and “cannellini”,
“the seven soups”, and scrippelle.
the “curly sagna with ricotta and lamb ragout.
“le pizzelle”, the “ceci ripieni (chickpeas stuffed with chickpea purée, cooked must, chocolate and candied fruit) and the “Carnival” and “Easter” pizzas.
Wine and other drinks
In Pratola there are some important wineries and citizens who produce quality live wines, among these wines deserve mention Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Cerasuolo and Trebbiano.
Points of interest
Medieval village called “Dentro la Terra”
Sanctuary of the Madonna della Libera
Church of San Pietro Celestino
Churches of Santa Maria della Pietà and Madonna delle Grazie
Church of San Rocco
Palazzo Colella Santoro
The “Museo della Civiltà Contadina” (rooms of the “Old Mill” of the Celestines).
the cinema theater D’Andrea.
PRATI DI TIVO
Overview
Prati di Tivo is a tourist resort in the municipality of Pietracamela (Teramo) located at 1450 m. above sea level, located on the slopes of the Gran Sasso d’Italia, which with its 2,912 meters is the highest peak in the Apennines. Immersed in beech and aschiero woods, it constitutes one of the most fascinating naturalistic landscapes in Abruzzo, characterized by a very rich and varied flora with anemones, gentians, orchids and primroses.
Prati di Tivo is a tourist resort that is a destination for tourists and sportspeople throughout the year, as it offers its visitors targeted and diversified seasonal services which provide the backdrop for considerable hotel accommodation. It is the most important site in the Apennines where you can practice climbing, in winter and summer, and has hundreds of kilometers of paths where you can go trekking for all levels of difficulty. In the winter season it is a destination for track skiing and ski mountaineering enthusiasts, and offers the opportunity to go on exciting snowshoe hikes in the wonderful ancient Aschiero forest, where there are giant centuries-old beech trees. From Prati di Tivo it is possible to reach the Carlo Franchetti Alpine Refuge, located at 2,433 meters between the majestic peaks of Corno Grande and Corno Piccolo and near the Calderone Glacier, the southernmost glacier in Europe.
Local Cusine
The main dish of the gastronomic tradition of Pietracamela is the “pretaroli” ravioli. Ravioli filled with mixed meat (veal, pork) mixed with boiled potatoes, breadcrumbs and grated cheese, seasoned with meat sauce and grated pecorino cheese.
The ancient tradition of sheep farming, still practiced on the slopes of the Gran Sasso d’Italia, guarantees excellent raw materials for grilling native meat and for tasting delicious pecorino cheeses.
The wonderful woods that surround Pietracamela up to the slopes of the Gran Sasso d’Italia chain are rich in excellent types of mushrooms, including porcini mushrooms which are used for the preparation of various dishes.
Another typical local product is the Intermesoli chestnut, which in addition to the classic “roasted chestnut” tasting is the raw material for the preparation of desserts and jams.
Points of interest
Pietracamela is an ancient village called Pietra Cameria in ancient times, or more simply Preta, located near the Rio Arno at 1,005 m above sea level. The Centre, perched on a mountain slope and surmounted by a looming rock, has considerable ancient workmanship and is made up of high buildings with pebbles and stones joined by binders which characterize the narrow alleys surmounted by small balconies which overlook terrace-belvederes and they dominate the Gran Sasso mountain range on one side and the vast panorama of the province of Teramo downstream.
Entering the small streets of the village among the stone houses you come across the oldest church of San Giovanni Battista, built in 1432 inside which there is a beautiful and enormous weight clock mechanism from the 1700s. Continuing through the streets you come across the Church of S. Rocco from 1530, dedicated to the saint in the plague that raged throughout the peninsula at that time, with a simple altar with the wooden statue of the saint with the dog. At the beginning of the center is the imposing Church of San Leucio, patron saint of Pietracamela.
The peculiarities of Pietracamela are undoubtedly the rock paintings by the master Guido Montauti (1918-1979), originally from Pietracamela and an internationally renowned artist, painted on the rock ridge overlooking the town. An open-air museum, a destination for visitors all year round.
Pietracamela is famous in the world of Italian mountaineering, as it saw the birth and is still home to the longest-running mountaineering association in Italy, the “Aquilotti del Gran Sasso – Alpinisti di Pietracamela” which celebrated 100 years of activity in 2023. In honor of the many brave mountaineers who opened all the climbing routes on the Gran Sasso chain in Italy, and who brought the name of Pietracamela to the world, a monument with a bronze statue was inaugurated on 29 December 2023 on the occasion of the centenary of the foundation of the Association, located in the central Heroes’ Square.
A short distance from Pietracamela is the hamlet of Intermesoli, which also boasts ancient origins and, between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, was a highly populated center thanks to wool processing and forestry activities.