Stage 05 (Bike) – Bocca di Valle – Trabocco le Morge

From Bocca di Valle, the hiking trail leads to Guardiagrele after about 5 km, where the remains of Saint Nicola Greco rest. Following the same route that leads to Castel Frentano, a steep descent takes you to the hamlet of Piana San Bartolomeo, and then you climb back up to Piano Venna, from where you turn right and, along a gentle, undulating road, reach the hamlet of Melone and then Colle Spedale, before passing through Crognaleto with its panoramic views, Descend through the valley, then climb a steep hill to reach Castel Frentano. Cross the town along the road leading to Lanciano, turning left just before the Torre Marino II viaduct, and descend along sections of dirt and paved roads until you reach the small church of Santa Maria dei Mesi; From here, continue toward Lanciano and enter the city through the medieval Montanare Towers. You’ll pass by the stunning Gothic church of Santa Maria Maggiore and reach the center at the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle. From Piazza Plebiscito, after passing the racetrack, you’ll first follow a bike path, then along a winding, hilly route that passes by the small medieval church of San Silvestro, eventually reaching the heart of Rocca San Giovanni, one of Italy’s most beautiful villages. From the village, following Via Nazario Sauro, you’ll pass through the town of Fossacesia and reach the magnificent Benedictine Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere. From there, you’ll descend rapidly to the Adriatic coast and, after traveling a long stretch along it, you cross the Sangro River and enter the “Lecceta di Torino di Sangro” nature reserve; continuing uphill through the woods, you climb the promontory to the Sangro River War Cemetery, a war cemetery for Allied forces. Returning to the holm oak forest, you follow it until you reach the coast again, where you arrive at the Trabocco Le Morge, marking the end of Stage No. 05