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Aielli starts high up, scenic and creative. Situated at an altitude of over 1,000 metres, in the heart of the Sirente Velino, Aielli dominates the Fucino plain. Today, it is recognisable for its dual identity, as both a historic village and the home of the open-air museum called Borgo Universo, which has transformed alleys and facades into a scattered narrative of art, landscape and vision. From here, the path takes on a different tone from the previous stage: less monumental, simpler, and more reliant on the elements of the landscape.
Along the route, the theme that emerges most strongly is that of water: a discreet but vital presence. The Fonte Cituro, a spring also linked to the memory of the ancient castle of Cituro and a small temple (recently rebuilt), adds a hidden dimension to your journey - almost like stepping over a threshold. It is one of those places that does not demand spectacle, but attention. The Fonte del Vallone, restored and still linked to its function as a watering hole and place linked to farming and pastoral life, reinforces this interpretation of the landscape. Here, the route encounters the real inland Abruzzo, made up of essential resources, care for the land, and ancient relationships between humans, animals and mountains. The Sirente Velino Park describes Collarmele as the 'town of springs,' with a dedicated route that connects nine of them in about three hours of walking.
Arriving in Collarmele, you find a more compact, mountainous, secluded village at the gates of the Sirente Velino. Abruzzo Turismo describes Collarmele as a must-visit for those seeking rejuvenating silence and authenticity, as it is surrounded by valleys, forests, hills and streams. This is the most interesting quality of the Aielli-Collarmele stage. You are not simply in pursuit of a single iconic destination - you are asked to traverse a coherent area where the water, wind and the upland air create a rich and accessible experience. A final interesting fact: Collarmele is also known for its widespread network of springs, which is so distinctive that it has given rise to a thematic local itinerary.
