The Giro d’Abruzzo 2025 couldn’t have chosen a more fitting judge than one of the region’s most iconic climbs and landmarks: Roccaraso. Stage 3 kicks off in San Demetrio ne’ Vestini and finishes at the well-known ski resort – more precisely, on the Aremogna plateau, after 160 kilometres. Whoever wants to claim the final Maglia Azzurra will have no choice but to make a move here. This is the stage to attack and possibly seal the deal, avoiding the risk of carrying an open battle into the unpredictable final stage.
San Demetrio ne’ Vestini is nestled in the Aterno Valley. Its historic centre is dotted with significant buildings, including the 17th-century Church of San Demetrio and the Ducal Palace. Nearby, the picturesque karst lake Lago Sinizzo is a favourite spot for picnics and outdoor strolls, while in the hamlet of Stiffe, visitors will find the famous Stiffe Caves, a network of karst caverns carved by an underground river that emerges in spectacular waterfalls, offering a unique experience at the heart of the mountains.
The stage profile opens with the Forca Caruso climb (12.7 km at 4.5%) followed by an intermediate sprint in Gioia dei Marsi. Then comes the ascent to Gioia Vecchio and the Passo del Diavolo (Superior cat. 14.1 km at 4.8%) – meaner in name than in reality. At that point, 73 kilometres will remain, but the stage, and more than likely the whole competition, will be decided on the final climb. The numbers aren’t frightening – 18.2 km at 4.8%– but ridden at a high pace, as expected, selection will be unavoidable. Once the riders reach Roccaraso, they’ll push further up to Aremogna at 1,662 metres above sea level, where the finish line awaits. Special attention will be needed on the final 1,500 metres, which consistently rise at 9–10%.
Roccaraso is one of central Italy’s premier ski destinations. Its history as a tourist hub dates back to the early 20th century, when it became one of the first mountain resorts to welcome winter sports enthusiasts. The jewel in the crown is the Alto Sangro ski area, the largest in central and southern Italy with around 160 km of slopes served by 36 lifts. Among its key zones is the aforementioned Aremogna plateau, a vast open area located at roughly 1,450 metres in altitude. Here, skiers of all levels can find their ideal run, with fast and comfortable access thanks to modern chairlifts and cable railways.
Roccaraso will also feature in the 2025 Giro d’Italia, in a stage that begins in Castel di Sangro, right at the base of the climb, and heads toward Tagliacozzo. In the history of the Corsa Rosa, this climb has been tackled no fewer than 27 times.
