Overview
Walk, pedal, paddle, ride. Whatever is your means of transport, use it with energy! That's the key to "belonging" in the area of Bussi sul Tirino, in the province of Pescara.
Nestled in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park at an altitude of 344 meters, the town offers you a stay full of sports, adventure and hiking, inviting you to get to know its most famous "inhabitant": the Tirino one of the cleanest rivers in Europe.
You can follow its course and discover the surrounding area according to your aptitudes. On foot or by mountain-bike, on one of the many bike paths prepared by the park, to catch all the scents and colours of the nature, or by canoe or kayak, perhaps accompanied by an experienced guide who will tell you the history of the river with its icy, crystal-clear waters and fed almost exclusively by underground springs.
Embark at San Martino, at the foot of the village, and immediately the color of the emerald-green water will jump out at you, standing out from all the other surrounding colors: thanks to its transparency, the sun's rays are able to penetrate below the surface of the water, giving rise to the proliferation of submerged vegetation.
Each paddle puts you in direct contact with the Tirino, of which you become a part, among river celery, reeds and trout, the only fish species in the rio, which can be caught according to no-kill fishing rules.
In the saddle you can visit the historic centres of the Tirino Valley villages, where the Warrior of Capestrano, a symbol of Abruzzo in the world, was found. For example, Capestrano and Ofena and, if you are more trained, you can push on to the so-called Districts of Baronia: Navelli, Calascio, Castelvecchio Calvisio, Santo Stefano di Sessanio and Castel del Monte.
You can also choose to travel through the Tirino Valley on horseback, on dedicated trails, and even by carriage, with rides (by reservation only) organized from an hour to a full day, customizable and completely safe for both beginners and experts.
Back at the base, observe the village's most representative monument, the Castle, used as a private residence. Built in 1100, it features mighty walls, a crenelated tower, and medieval and Renaissance windows.
After a little visit to the Baroque church of San Biagio, check out the church of Santa Maria di Cartignano which is located on the road running alongside Bussi. It is a "tratturale church," one of those built on the transhumance paths - or "tratturi" - on which shepherds used to move with their flocks between Abruzzo, Molise, Basilicata and Puglia.
You entrust the end of a memorable day to a few local dishes, such as calcioni, basil omelet, potatoes 'mporchettate, spumini, potato cake, and San Biagio doughnuts. Waiting to start the adventure again.