Along the various routes, you encounter villages of stone and rock (Pietracamela), ancient castles (Castel Manfrino), caves and crevices that reveal traditions and ancient pagan rituals, a well-preserved flora and fauna of significant naturalistic interest.
In Abruzzo, 9/10 of the Park is located, boasting two of the most important mountain massifs of the Apennines: the Gran Sasso d’Italia group, which includes Corno Grande (2912 m), with spectacular glacial valleys, such as Val Chiarino and Valle del Venacquaro. And the Calderone, the southernmost glacier in Europe, carved by streams and waterfalls, like those of Morricana, Volpaia, and Scalette. Among these mountains lies also the largest artificial basin in Europe: Lake Campotosto, a stopover for numerous species of migratory birds. To the northwest, the Gran Sasso massif merges with the Monti della Laga, more lush and rich in waters, whose highest peak is Monte Gorzano with its 2458 meters. Along the roads and paths of the Park, stone and living rock villages emerge, like Pietracamela; mighty castles such as Castel Manfrino, cities of art like Castelli; medieval abbeys and churches, like Santa Maria di Ronzano, but above all, a flora and fauna live here that testify to an extraordinary biodiversity: the silver fir, the birch, the rosalia alpina (an ancient beech), anemones, the epiopogium orchid and the alpine poppy. On the rocky spurs it is not difficult to spot the Abruzzo chamois and the golden eagle, while in the dense undergrowth live the wild boar, the wolf, the wildcat.
In the area of Civitella and in Val Vibrata two Visitor Centers are active, one in Ripe di Civitella tel. 0861.918376, the other in Macchia da Sole tel.0861.93469.
