Your adventure begins at 9:30 AM in Santo Stefano di Sessanio, one of Abruzzo's most enchanting medieval villages, where you'll set off on high-performance e-bikes along a scenic provincial road that gently winds through the highland landscape. The first stop is Lago di Racollo and its charming mountain refuge at 1,600 meters above sea level — a perfect spot to catch your breath and soak in the silence of the Apennines.
From there, you'll ride east into the heart of Campo Imperatore, the vast high plateau known as the "Little Tibet of Abruzzo." Stretching endlessly beneath a wide-open sky, this is one of Italy's most cinematic landscapes — and literally so. You'll explore the Canyon della Valianara, a rugged gorge that served as the backdrop for numerous Spaghetti Western films shot in the 1970s and '80s, evoking the spirit of Sergio Leone's Italy.
The journey continues to Fonte Vetica, where the iconic Ristoro Mucciante — a historic mountain lodge at the foot of Monte Camicia — invites you to pause for a well-deserved aperitivo. Heading west on the return leg, the massif of the Gran Sasso accompanies you at every turn, while the Monti della Laga ridge frames the horizon, and the Sirente-Velino range glows in the distance. The descent back to Santo Stefano offers sweeping panoramic views, including a glimpse of La Maiella to the east. Back in the village, you're free to enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants.
