Riserva Naturale dei Calanchi
About
The Nature Reserve "Calanchi di Atri" (Badlands of Atri), established in 1995, covers 390 hectares, spreading from the valley floor of the Piomba stream at 104 mt above the sea level to the Colle della Giustizia (Justice HiIl) at 468 meters above the sea level. The biodiversity and geological diversity of the badlands make the agricultural landscape a unique natural heritage site and an area of great national importance. The badlands, known also as "Dantesque pits of hell” or “devil's scratches" called in dialect "li Ripe" (escarpments), thanks to their imposing architecture, are one of the most fascinating aspects of the Adriatic coastal landscape. Past deforestation and pastures has brought to the surface clay soils, which, eroded by the alternation of periods of rain and drought, produce these particular formations.
At a glance
- Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes