Sirente-Velino Park: cycleways, trails and villages

Located in central Abruzzo, the Sirente-Velino Regional Natural Park is rolling out an integrated network for slow tourism. The plan includes more than 300 km of cycle routes and over 460 km of trails that connect 22 villages, enabling bike and hiking trips across mountain woodlands, plateaus and valleys rebuilt after seismic events.

The park's three main areas

• Area Marsicana: archaeological sites such as the ruins of Alba Fucens and Celano's Piccolomini Castle—great for open-air archaeology.
• Altopiano delle Rocche: beech forests, Appenine species and Lake Sirente, suitable for wellbeing and medical forest activities.
• Valle Subequana: villages rebuilt after earthquakes, the Stiffe Caves and notable wildlife presence.

Routes, pilgrimages and cycleways

In addition to cycleways, the park hosts historic routes like the Cammino di San Francesco, the Cammino di San Tommaso and the Grande Cammino di Celestino (around 90 km divided into accessible stages). Many bike paths follow unpaved roads that keep visitors close to the natural environment.

The 22 connected villages

• Acciano
• Aielli
• Castel di Ieri
• Castelvecchio Subequo
• Celano
• Cerchio
• Collarmele
• Fagnano Alto
• Fontecchio
• Gagliano Aterno
• Goriano Sicoli
• Magliano de' Marsi
• Massa d'Albe
• Molina Aterno
• Ocre
• Ovindoli
• Pescina
• Rocca di Cambio
• Rocca di Mezzo
• San Demetrio Né Vestini
• Secinaro
• Tione degli Abruzzi

Practical tips for visitors

• How to travel: choose gravel bikes, touring bikes or e-bikes for mixed surfaces; many tracks are on unpaved roads.
• Planning: schedule short stages to fully experience villages and local attractions.
• Facilities: check e-bike charging points and availability of certified local operators in advance.
• Environmental care: follow signage, stay on designated routes and adopt Leave No Trace practices.

Location

Place: Sirente-Velino Regional Natural Park, Province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy
Coordinates: 42.1700262, 13.5899733