Sentiero del Centenario, Gran Sasso

Route neI 2018

first 1000 meters of elevation gain from Fonte Cerreto are done by gondola to Campo Imperatore. From Campo Imperatore by push and short pedaled segments we reach the Duca degli Abruzzi refuge, pedaling on the ridge towards Corno Grande there is a short push section after which we descend on the Sella M. Aquila saddle under the direttissima Corno Grande. We head up Mt. Aquila by pushing the bike. Reaching its nearly 2,500 meters, a challenging descent begins and, except for an impossible passage, we reach Vado di Corno riding on beautiful ridge.

A long pedaled traverse followed by a hard section with bike on the shoulder and small pedaled segments will take us to the summit of Brancastello. we descend on a very short impassable trail, continuing always on trail to reach Vado di Pioverano in the saddle. Turning right an impressive path begins with a first section on scree with steep slopes and passages on rocks, reached the grassy part with a long and challenging singletrack full of hairpin bends we reach the plain. With 5 km of asphalt and about 500 meters of elevation gain we reach the observatory. Passing under the pylons of the gondola, we enter the THREE WALLS, a thousand meters of negative elevation gain await us on an exposed and gravelly path in the first part, very nice and guided in the second, and we are back in Fonte Cerreto.