Southeast of L'Aquila, the Aterno Valley, dominated by the ruins of the Ochre castle, unfolds between two high plateaux: the Rocche, to the southwest, whose villages were severely damaged during the earthquake in 2009, and Campo imperatore to the northeast, the haunt of skiers. The road is relatively straight, with the exception of the arrival at Santo Stefano in Sessanio, the doorway to the Gran Sasso. Don't miss Stiffe Cave, one of the region's most impressive karst phenomena.