The best MTB trails around Ofena

it is possible to buy meat and various foods, really well stocked if you buy meat, it is also possible to cook it on the grills they provide with hot coals always available during opening hours outside there is also a fountain with fresh drinking water

The Torre di Forca di Penne is what remains of an old watchtower located on the pass of the same name, between Capestrano and Brittoli, in a strategic point of inner Abruzzo. It was a true sentinel of the passage between the Tirino valley and the areas towards the Adriatic, therefore it had a function of controlling the territory and the transits along the Tratturo Magno and connected routes. Today it is remembered above all as a very suggestive but fragile presence: after the 2009 earthquake its condition was described as very compromised, with the ruins still visible but in a state of strong degradation. Precisely for this reason it is often told not only as a historical monument, but as a symbol of the memory of the Abruzzese trattural landscape. From a geographical point of view, Forca di Penne is a pass at about 918-920 meters above sea level and the tower is located in an area that is also a starting point for hiking trails and MTB routes. Therefore, in addition to the historical interest, it is also a very beautiful place to include in a nature tour between Capestrano, the Tirino Valley and the Gran Sasso reliefs.

Many visitors call it an unforgettable experience and an absolute must-do in Abruzzo. This is not an ordinary restaurant, but a unique DIY barbecue in the middle of the Campo Imperatore plateau. You choose your meat from the local butcher, your smoldering barbecue is ready for you to cook. Simply enjoy a meal with a spectacular view over the plateau. Those who want to avoid the crowds should come in May, June, September, or October. In July and August and on sunny weekends, it can be very popular and long queues often form. The location is usually open from April to November, typically daily from 09:00 to 19:00. The establishment closes during the winter months, as the plateau often disappears under a thick layer of snow.

Don't just ride or cycle past the Laghetto di Pietranzoni. This small mountain lake, located at an altitude of 1,660 meters in the middle of Campo Imperatore, is one of the most photogenic spots in the Abruzzo region. The natural lake, formed by glaciers, constantly changes size due to meltwater and rain, making every visit different. Why stop here? On a windless day, the imposing Corno Grande, the highest peak in the Apennines, is beautifully reflected in the clear water. The endless high plain, aptly nicknamed 'Little Tibet', offers a unique landscape full of peace and space. Moreover, it requires hardly any effort: from the parking lot, you can walk to the shore in just a few minutes. In spring, thousands of blooming crocuses provide a colorful spectacle, while the lake is a perfect spot year-round to take a break, take photos, and fully enjoy the impressive landscape.

The Campo Imperatore plateau is so special because it is one of Europe's most alien and untouched landscapes. The plateau is over 15 kilometers long and lies at an average altitude of 1,800 to 2,000 meters. This creates a unique combination of extreme vastness, raw nature, and cultural history. The main reasons why this area is unique: Europe's 'Little Tibet': Due to the vast treeless plains, the grazing herds of horses and sheep, and the immense mountain ranges surrounding it, you absolutely do not feel like you are in Italy here. The horizon is nowhere interrupted by modern buildings, which gives a rare sense of ultimate emptiness and space. The setting for iconic films: The alien landscape has been used as a film set by countless Hollywood directors. Major classics and westerns such as Once Upon a Time in the West and The Name of the Rose were filmed here.

It’s an enchanted village, walking in those narrow alleys makes you dream, just like the delicacies that Barbara and Andrea expertly prepare in their small restaurant make you dream.

From Popoli, take the road to San Rocco (Via delle svolte) to enjoy the beautiful dirt roads of the Tirino valley.

The village is a little gem, it's a shame the welcome isn't great for cyclists, but it's a rather touristy area.