Camosciara Nature Reserve

The concentration of protected nature to be visited between Opi and Civitella Alfedena has its best known destination in a wild amphitheatre of limestone and dolomite below Mount Sterpi d'Alto and Balzo della Chiesa, amidst forests of beech and black pine. The area takes its name from the Apennine chasm, and is an Integral Reserve Zone of the Abruzzo National Park: due to its ecological, naturalistic and landscape delicacy, it is only accessible on foot without ever leaving the paths, or with guides authorised by the Abruzzo Region.

One can opt for simple hikes to the waterfalls, which are active all year round, following the course of the Scerto stream to the junction with the beech forest, or decide to continue higher up to the Belvedere della Liscia Refuge, which is not always active, with a greater chance of surprising some chamois among the rocky crags.

From Civitella, the Camosciara can also be reached on foot. A cooperative, which bears the same name as the reserve, organises thematic excursions and guided tours as well as running a farm activity: the recovery of former cultivated land and the planting of aromatic plants contribute to enriching the traditional cuisine of Civitella, made up of egg pasta, chitarre alla pecoraia, pappardelle al cinghiale, meat dishes, cheese, ricotta and honey.