After a pleasant rise into the next valley, I follow the Volturno river upstream. It’s one of the few rivers I’ve seen so far that actually has enough water to be called a river at this time of year. I have lunch near the source of the river and enjoy the icy water after the hot ascent.
Then I ride on into the next valley and up over the pass to Castel di Sangro, which is apparently a national tennis training centre. From here I ride further up into the ski resort villages of Roccaraso, Rivisondoli and Pescocosta. All three of these have bike paths that are more than just decoration. Apart from that it’s weird to see empty buildings and still more being built. Winter season must be busy around here.
I call it a day early today. The next good camp spot would have been 40 km away and even with the downhill, I don’t fancy another late evening. Instead I enjoy the view onto what is probably the last snow in the Abruzzi mountains.
110 km, 2300 m elevation