From Navelli, we take the deep valley that descends to the Capestrano plain, ascend slightly until we cross the historic center, home of St. John of Capestrano, and then descend again, to the banks of the Tirino River; continue along the river to the magnificent medieval church of San Pietro ad Oratorium and, still on the river bank, we reach Bussi sul Tirino, the conclusion of the stage.
From Piazza San Pelino in Navelli, take Via del Commercio and cross the state highway using the underpass; after that, turn left onto the dirt road. At the next intersection, you can choose whether to take Stage 5 via Capestrano or Stage 5 bis via Collepietro. For Capestrano, continue straight at the fork until you reach the provincial road (SP); follow it for a short distance until you turn left onto a small country road—paved at first, then unpaved—that descends through the valley of olive groves. After the first intersection—about 3.400 km from the provincial road—turn right; at the next intersection, turn right again. You’ll begin climbing a gently sloping hill until you reach the paved road to Capestrano; after crossing it, continue right downhill toward the town, which is dominated by the 15th-century Franciscan convent. You’ll arrive at Piazza del Castello. Leave the village by taking a small road from Piazza Mercato, continuing on Via Oberdan and then downhill along Via Rosario to the birthplace of St. John; then exit through the gate and continue downhill along Via Sotto le Mura, at the end of which you turn right onto Via Castelvecchio. At the next intersection, turn right and, a short distance further on, turn left; you’ll pass by the deconsecrated church of Santa Maria di Loreto in Presciano and arrive at the springs of Presciano, which provide water of excellent drinking quality. Continue along the paved road until you reach an intersection, where you turn left onto a small paved road winding through the oak trees. You’ll reach the San Martino Bridge, which allows you to cross the Tirino River; immediately take the dirt path on the right that runs alongside the river. After passing an intersection with a paved road, continue straight on the dirt path until you reach the church of San Pietro Oratorium. From San Pietro, head back a short distance and take the dirt road to the right, which first runs alongside a large trout farm and then passes under the SS153 overpass. Continue on the paved road for about 2.5 km, and after a short climb, turn right onto a path that descends toward the river. Once you reach the riverbank, take the bike path along the Tirino River until you reach the paved road; here, turn left and continue to the Mother Church of Santa Maria Assunta; after going around the building on the right, climb toward the historic center of Bussi, where Stage 5 ends in front of City Hall.
Fabio Setta, phone: 335 8339451
| Total Length | 20.3 km |
| Technical difficulty |  |
| Physical difficulty |  |
| Elevation gain | 355 m |
| Elevation loss | 695 m |
| Signposting | Yes |
| GPX track | Download |
