July 31, 2024 - Daily Distance: 22 km - Total Distance: 197 km

Loris prepared a delicious breakfast for us in the kitchen, complete with soft donuts. The coffee gave us the perfect boost to tackle the day with renewed energy. Silvia was so excited that she started the day by falling down the stairs. So far, we’ve managed to avoid injuries while walking, yet she managed to bruise herself in a calm situation!

It was still dark when we left our castle, but the town was already buzzing with activity. It seems that at five in the morning, it’s mandatory to let everyone know you’re awake. A young man, driving a noisy car, sped up repeatedly under someone’s house, while street cleaners, with a deafening machine, were tidying up the road. I understand the street cleaners' necessity, but that guy?

We began our descent toward the plain. For most of the morning, we followed a cycling path built along an old, disused railway line, the short Archi-Atessa route. What can I say? The descent was cool and pleasant, and the Maiella grew ever closer. Rather than tackling it head-on, we’re skirting around it; we’ll cross to the other side at a point where the ridges of the Maiella and Gran Sasso allow passage at a relatively low altitude. The shepherds of old really knew what they were doing!

Once on the plain, we tried to avoid the main road. First, we ventured through the fields, then we attempted to follow a part of the railway line that hadn’t been restored yet. However, a sea of plants blocked us, forcing us to turn back and look for an alternative.

Luckily, with a small detour, we found another section of the cycle path and resumed our walk with renewed enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the path ran parallel to the road, and the traffic noise was constant.

As with previous stages, the exact route of the tratturo is unknown, so the path was designed based on assumptions. However, the fact that at one point we crossed "Via del Tratturo" must mean something!

To cross the Sangro River, we had to make a road detour. First, a small road, then a dirt track led us to the bridge: for a while, we were forced to walk along a busy road, and we couldn’t wait for it to end.

Finally, we escaped the traffic and climbed a hill surrounded by vineyards. Our spirits immediately lifted. Elena put on some music from her phone, and we sang together as we walked.

The final stretch, despite being on asphalt, didn’t dampen our good mood: the climb was gentle, and the heat still bearable. Almost without realizing it, we arrived in Castel Frentano.

And here, a surprise awaited us. Unbeknownst to Silvia, her husband Paolo arrived to join us for the next two stages. Tomorrow, our group will be enriched by a new walking companion!

Track of the day