Riserva naturale guidata Calanchi di Atri

Riserva naturale guidata Calanchi di Atri is a regional nature reserve covering about 380 hectares of eroded clay formations with deep valleys and vertical ridges. The terrain displays a dramatic, ravined pattern created by thousands of years of water and wind erosion.

The protected area was established in 1995 to preserve these geological formations that developed over thousands of years of continuous erosion. The same natural processes that created this landscape continue to work today, slowly reshaping the terrain.

The reserve serves as an Environmental Education Center where visitors and school groups learn about local ecosystems and conservation practices. Programs help people understand how the landscape has been shaped by natural forces over long periods.

The reserve is accessible by marked trails from the town of Atri, located about 7 kilometers from the A14 Adriatica highway exit at Atri-Pineto. Sturdy footwear is recommended since the eroded terrain can be uneven and slippery underfoot.

The reserve harbors rare plant species including wild gladiolus, capers, and licorice that thrive in the harsh conditions of eroded soil. Birds of prey such as buzzards and kestrels nest in the rocky cliffs and hunt across the open landscape.