The Royal Sheep Trails.

These trails were used by shepherds for the transhumance, that is the seasonal herds transfer from one pasture to another. In Italy, the interweaving of these pathways, estimated at 3100 km, it is noted in the territories of central and southern regions. The grassy paths are primarily distributed in the Abruzzo, Molise, Umbria, Basilicata, Campania and Puglia. Their slopes were covered during cold seasons in a southerly direction towards Puglia, in Foggia, where there was the Sheeps'Customs, while in the warm months the flocks traveling along the reverse path back to the central Apennine mountain where the pastureswere governed by the Doganella d'Abruzzo. All these trails originate in the mountainous areas of Abruzzo and end in the 'Tavoliere' of Puglia.

THE ROYAL SHEEP TRAIL L'AQUILA- FOGGIA , FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE SEA 294 Km

The Sheep Trail of L'Aquila-Foggia, with its 244 km was the longest, largest and most important of the five Royal Sheep Trails, for this reason it was also called the Great Sheep Trail.  This is the most Adriatic of all, channeling the herds from the Gran Sasso Mountain to the vast grasslands of Puglia, after touching on several occasions the shores of the Adriatic Sea.
The trace is a real historic route between Abruzzo and Puglia, passing through Molise, it starts from the Basilica of Collemaggio in l'Aquila, built in the XIII century thanks to the woolmen's donations. The whole old town centre of L'Aquila was built with the riches derived from farming and from the Wool Guild, who also contributed in the rebuilding of the city after the earthquake of 1703.

Program
1 stage, km 42: Basilica of Collemaggio, L'Aquila, Peltuinum, Prata d'Ansidonia, Santa Maria dei Cintorelli, Caporciano , Forca di Penne, Capestrano
2 stage, km 49: Ponte delle Fascine, Rosciano, Chieti
3 stage, km 44: Chieti, Lanciano CH
DAY OF REST
4 stage, km 48: Lanciano, San Salvo
5 stage,km 57: San Salvo Marina, Petacciato Marina, Montesecco Chieuti, Serracapriola
6°stage,km 54: Serracapriola, San Severo, Epitaffio Foggia

Towns crossed by the sheep trails:
Abruzzo
Province of L'Aquila
L'Aquila, Barisciano, Poggio Picenze, San Demetrio ne' Vestini, Prata d'Ansidonia, San Pio delle Camere, Caporciano, Navelli, Capestrano
Province of Pescara
Corvara, Pietranico, Cugnoli, Alanno, Nocciano, Rosciano, Cepagatti
Province of Chieti
Chieti, Bucchianico, Villamagna, Vacri, Ari, Giuliano Teatino, Canosa Sannita, Arielli, Poggiofiorito, Frisa, Lanciano, Castel Frentano, Mozzagrogna, Santa Maria Imbaro, Fossacesia, Paglieta, Torino di Sangro, Casalbordino, Vasto, San Salvo
Molise
Province of Campobasso
Montenero di Bisaccia, Petacciato, Termoli, San Giacomo degli Schiavoni, Guglionesi, Portocannone, Campomarino
Puglia
Province of Foggia
Chieuti, Serracapriola, San Paolo di Civitate, Torremaggiore, San Severo, Foggia

DIFFICULT ROUTE

DATE DETAILS: April 24- 29, 2015

Booking accepted up to April 1st