Nearby Campo Imperatore is the suggestive village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a fine starting point for many excursions into the mountains, particularly for those on mountain bike. One particularly fine loop leads up to three little lakes (the same ones referred to above as a cross-country ski excursion). On bike it is a 46-km, 4-hour itinerary, but the rewards are plentiful. Ascending through the characteristic village of Santo Stefano, climb through the narrow valley of Chiusola and eventually up to the high altitude plain of the three little lakes (the Laghetto di Barisciano, the Laghetto di Passaneta and the Lago Racollo). Admire the remains of the Convent of Casanova and recall that it was not all that long ago that shepherds would guide their flock from this rich mountain pasture all the way to the sea plains of Apulia. Descending back to Santo Stefano, few things can surpass a meal in one of the small restaurants or trattoria: enjoy the ancient town specialty, lentils, which provided shepherds with the energy they needed to get back up the mountain (and naturally have the same invigorating effect today on mountain bikers). The Romans preferred lentils with mushrooms; today a popular New Year's meal throughout Italy is lentils with cotechino (a kind of spiced Italian sausage) or zampone (pig's trotter stuffed with seasoned mincemeat).

Another excursion that could be done in mountain, on horseback or cross-country skis is a passage through a corridor rich with historical villages and landmarks. The work of man, the villages, churches, fortifications and individual homes set in this rugged, sober natural environment… the human and natural wonders here complement each other as they so rarely do elsewhere. From the home of the lentils of Santo Stefano, allow at least half a day to include stops and side trips enroute. Continue up to the village of Calascio and Rocca Calascio, a stunning castle that at 1464 meters is the highest in the region. From here there are views toward other protected mountain wilderness areas of the Abruzzo: toward the Piana di Navelli, the Majella and Sirente massifs. After visiting the Rocca return to Calascio and pass by several "closed fields" where grain and lentils are cultivated as they have always been. Head toward Castel del Monte, at 1346 meters the highest village of the Gran Sasso, and take time to explore its ancient center. Several options are possible from here before the return to Santo Stefano: one could climb to Campo Imperatore or hike through the lovely pines of Fonte Vetica toward Monte Siella, noted for its edelweiss.