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The Great Ring of the Ascolani Villages, or GABA, is a historical-naturalistic themed itinerary of about 100km perfect for traveling by ebike.
This path, in addition to reaching third place in theItalian Green Road Award 2021, it is a wonderful experience in contact with history and nature.
The GABA it starts from Ascoli Piceno and unfolds in 7 stages, which can also be done individually, around villages that were part of the defensive apparatus of the Ascoli state in the Middle Ages.
The circular itinerary for 80% takes place on dirt roads and hilly paths and, at the moment, is only accessible with an environmental or cycle tourist guide.
The first stage has a distance of 18 km and starts from Piazza del Popolo in Ascoli Piceno, touches the Borgo Castello di Mozzano, where sections of fortifications are still visible, and the Ponte Nativo, a natural bridge along the banks of the Fluvione, arriving, finally, at the Venarotta Castle.
The second stage, 12.5 km long, starts from the Venarotta Castle in Ficocchia, with its large sandstone bank overlooking the Fluvione valley, where you can enjoy the beautiful view of the Sibillini Mountains.
The Mill Arena, the Church of Sant'Ippolito and Cassiano and the ruins of the Pizzorullo Castle are just some of the wonders you can see in this second stage.
The third stage will then start from the colony of Ficocchia, reaching the village of Abetito. In these 11 km you can take a dive back in time at the museum dedicated to charcoal burners, a very popular profession in this area.
In the fourth stage, nature reigns supreme: we find ourselves within the uncontaminated area of the Lost Apennines, within the Ceresa mountain group. Crossing chestnut and beech forests, you can then enjoy the wonderful views of the Vettore Massif and the Fluvione valley. This stage will finally end in Forcella, a town perched on a rocky terrace.
The fifth stage will start from Forcella, including 12 km, which will reach Valledacqua. We will start with a fantastic natural scenery, that of the wonderful Forcella waterfall and the Pompili Mill. Crossing the Tronto river you arrive at the sulphurous springs of Lu Vurghe and continue towards the vault of the medieval village of Paggese, the small travertine Ascoli, famous for its talking stones, inscriptions in Latin engraved on the architraves of doors and windows. From here you will reach Castel di Luco towards the hamlet of Valledacqua and the Abbey of San Benedetto in Valledacqua, founded by the Benedictine monks of the Abbey of Farfa.
The sixth stage, 18 km long, starts from Valledacqua and arrives in Talvecchia, with the Brianti path that crosses the ridge and separates the Tronto valley from that of Castellano.
Finally, the last stage starts from Talvecchia to return to Ascoli Piceno. In these 15 km you can discover the beauties of Castel Trosino, an ancient castle built on the top of a travertine cliff, Colle San Marco, a natural terrace on the slopes of the Montagna dei Fiori, the Rifugio Paci and the Hermitage of San Marco, an ancient hermitage literally clinging to the rock face.