Stage 01 (bike) – L’Aquila – Caporciano

The first MTB stage of the Path of Peace begins at the Basilica of Collemaggio in L’Aquila, one of Abruzzo’s most iconic sites, where the remains of Pope Celestine V are interred. From here, the route winds along the Aterno River, passing through the hamlet of Monticchio and skirting the Fossa necropolis. It then continues along the river, passing downstream from the village of Sant’Eusanio Forconese, and eventually reaches the village of Villa Sant’Angelo. The route continues along the Aterno Valley to San Demetrio ne’ Vestini and, after an uphill stretch, joins the Tratturo Magno until reaching the archaeological site of Peltuinum, an ancient Italic-Roman city. From here, the route descends to the medieval church of San Paolo di Peltuinum and continues toward the village of Prata d’Ansidonia; passing through it to reach the fortified village of Castel Camponeschi, then through the small hamlet of Tussio and up the mountain ridge where the cave of St. Michael the Archangel is located; from there, you can reach Bominaco Castle (on foot); from the cave of St. Michael the Archangel, you descend to the Benedictine complex of Bominaco, consisting of the church of Santa Maria Assunta and the oratory of San Pellegrino, and proceed along the dirt road in front, first on flat ground and then downhill, to the village of Caporciano.