In Laga Mountains between Vezzola and Tordino Valleys

From Torricella Sicura to Rocca S. Maria

Torricella Sicura is a nice town situated a few kilometers from Teramo, with a territory characterized by very rich naturalistic features that has given back important evidences of past epochs. Not far from here, the following country hamlets are worth a visit: Villa Costumi, with its Romanesque-style Church of St Peter in Azzano (12th century); Villa Popoli, with the Church of St Bartholomew preserving a wonderful wooden ceiling dating back to the late 17th century; Ioanella, with the Church of S. Maria Assunta rich in works of art of the 17th-18th century; Pastignano, near which it is possible to visit the ruins of the female Benedictine Monastery of St John in Scorzone (11th century), and Poggio Valle. 

From here, a short tour on foot, on horseback, or by mountain bike leads to Valle Piola, a small abandoned village at the foot of Monte della Farina, from where it is possible to continue up to the country hamlet of Magliano da Capo where, on a mountain dominating Valle del Vezzola, it is possible to see the ruins of the walls of an Italic fortified settlement.
Going beyond S. Stefano, continue your journey towards Cona Faiete, a country hamlet of the Municipality of Rocca S. Maria, to reach Macchia S. Cecilia, Acquaratola, S. Biagio, and the abandoned villages of Serra, Tavolero – preserving a 15th century building and the church of S. Flaviano in ruin (13th century) - and Colle. The latter is crossed by "Sentiero del Tordino", leading from Teramo to the springs of the river and to the summit of Mt. Gorzano (2,458m).
Once you reach Imposta, go ahead to Sella Ciarelli and Paranesi, up to Ceppo; the Ceppo, and more precisely Bosco della Martese, was the theater in 1943 of a dramatic event of the partisan Resistance. Several trails, accessible also on horseback and by mountain bike, connect Ceppo with other country hamlets like Fioli, Forno, Riano, Tevere, Cesa, Alvelli, Licciano, Fiume, Canili, and Martese. However, the most interesting itineraries are without a doubt "Sentiero Italia" leading to Padula or S. Martino and the itineraries, accessible also during the winter with cross-country or mountain skis, leading to the summit of Pizzo di Moscio (2,411m) or to the spectacular Morricana Waterfall (1,560m), surrounded by the charming setting of Bosco della Martese, rich in silver firs.