Punta Aderci Nature Reserve – Vasto

The Punta Aderci Nature Reserve, located in the municipality of Vasto (Chieti), is one of the most iconic places on the Trabocchi Coast. With dunes, cliffs, sandy and pebbly beaches and sweeping views of the Adriatic, it offers an unspoilt environment ideal for hiking, swimming, photography and nature observation.

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Exploring the Punta Aderci Nature Reserve, one of the wildest and most scenic stretches of the Trabocchi Coast in the Vasto area of Abruzzo.

Regional nature reserve

Punta Aderci, Vasto

Wild headland on the Trabocchi Coast: natural beaches, panoramic trails and one of the most scenic stretches of the Abruzzo Adriatic.

Trabocchi Coast Protected area Hiking and sea Vasto (CH)

Free access, high environmental protection

The reserve, established in 1998, protects about 285 hectares of coastline, including dunes, cliffs, Mediterranean scrub and cultivated fields overlooking the sea.

Municipality Vasto (CH), Abruzzo

Headland elevation ≈ 26 m a.s.l.

Area ≈ 285 ha

Type Coastal reserve

Index

Guide contents

Overview
Snorkeling
How to get there
What to see
Recommended activities
Visitor rules
Useful info
Vasto
Useful numbers
History of the trabocchi
Fossacesia and the Trabocchi

Overview

What the Punta Aderci Reserve is

A protected stretch of coastline that combines wild beaches, panoramic headlands and trabocchi, symbols of Abruzzo’s seafaring tradition.

The Punta Aderci Regional Nature Reserve is located north of Vasto, along the Trabocchi Coast. The landscape alternates sandy and pebbly beaches, cliffs, dunes and cultivated fields that almost plunge into the sea. From the headland, the view embraces the Vasto coastline and, on clear days, the outline of the Majella.

Beach types

Sand, pebbles, small coves

Environments

Dunes, scrub, cliffs

Local icons

Trabocchi, Punta Penna lighthouse

Protected since

1998

Good to know: the reserve is a regional protected area: access is free, but there are specific rules to protect flora, fauna and landscape.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling at Punta Aderci

Clear waters, light-coloured pebbles and sheltered conditions make Punta Aderci one of the best spots on the Vasto coast for recreational snorkeling.

Where to do it

The most suitable areas are at the foot of the headland and along Punta Aderci beach, where the rocky seabed and pebbles favour clear water and good visibility.

Trabocco area: mixed seabed, small fish, algae and crevices.
Northwards: quieter and less crowded stretches.
Punta Penna: ideal on calm sea days.

What to expect

The environment is natural and shallow: perfect for observing small fish, crabs, algae meadows and light effects among the pebbles.

The reserve has no artificial barriers or demanding depths, so it is also suitable for beginners and families, provided the sea is calm.

Useful tips: avoid touching the seabed or marine life, use a good-quality mask and snorkel, and always check sea conditions before entering the water.

How to get there

Access points, parking and connections

The main access points are located north of Vasto, with car parks on the plateau and seasonal connections down to the beaches.

By car

From Vasto, follow the SS16 Adriatica north (towards Casalbordino). Road signs for “Punta Aderci” and “Punta Penna” indicate the access points to the reserve and the dirt car parks.

Punta Penna access: convenient for the sandy beach and the lighthouse.
Punta Aderci access: ideal for the headland and the pebble beaches.

Parking: in high season, car parks close to the sea may be regulated or limited. Always check local signs.

On foot and by bike

The reserve can also be reached on foot or by bicycle from the nearby Via Verde of the Trabocchi Coast, with short detours leading to the coastal access points.

Internal paths connect the headland, beaches and viewpoints: allow extra time in summer due to the heat.

What to see

Beaches, headland and viewpoints

A succession of natural beaches and sea views, with the Punta Aderci headland as the main landmark.

Punta Penna beach

A long sandy beach at the foot of the Punta Penna lighthouse, with wide natural spaces and dunes behind it. It is one of the most iconic stretches of the Vasto coastline.

Punta Aderci beach

Pebble beach at the foot of the headland, with views of the trabocco and the coastline stretching north. Access is via a descending path.

Headland and viewpoints

From the Punta Aderci headland there is a 360° view over the coast and inland. The summit path is short but exposed: caution is needed in strong winds.

Other coastal stretches

The reserve includes other smaller and wilder beach sections, reached via dirt paths. Always check the condition of the path before going down.

Warning: some access paths may be steep or slippery, especially on wet ground. Wear suitable footwear and always assess your abilities.

Recommended activities

Punta Aderci is ideal for those seeking direct contact with nature, away from beach clubs and urban settings.

Light hiking: along coastal paths and links between the beaches.
Sea and relaxation: on natural beaches, without structured services.
Photography: sunrise, sunset, trabocchi and agricultural landscapes by the sea.
Nature observation: dune flora and coastal birdlife.

Visitor rules

As a protected area, the reserve is subject to specific regulations. Some general guidelines:

No wild camping or fires.
Waste: always take your rubbish away with you.
Dogs: must be kept on a leash, respecting wildlife.
Dunes and vegetation: avoid walking on sensitive areas.

Tip: before your visit, check for any updates on the Municipality of Vasto website or the reserve’s official channels.

Useful info and contacts

Municipality of Vasto: tourist information and updates on access to the reserve.
Visitor centre / info point: generally active during peak season (summer).
Useful websites: the tourist portal of the Municipality of Vasto and the official channels of the Trabocchi Coast.

Useful numbers for the reserve

Useful contacts for information, reports and assistance during your visit to the Punta Aderci Regional Nature Reserve.

Emergencies: 112 — Single European emergency number.
Vasto Local Police: +39 (0873) 309452 — Support for traffic, parking and safety in the reserve area.
Municipality of Vasto: +39 (0873) 3091 — Tourist information and updates on access to the reserve.
Civil Protection / Environmental wardens: Mainly active in summer for monitoring, fire prevention and visitor assistance.
Coast Guard (Harbour Master’s Office): 1530 — Toll-free number for emergencies and safety at sea.

History of the trabocchi

Trabocchi are ancient wooden fishing machines, typical of the Abruzzo coast and in particular of the stretch between Vasto and Ortona. Their origin is traditionally placed between the 18th and 19th centuries, when coastal communities developed these structures to fish without having to face the open sea.

Built with Aleppo pine poles and platforms suspended over the water, trabocchi use a system of arms and nets lowered into the sea. Their slender shape and scenic position have made them an identity symbol of the Trabocchi Coast.

Origin: between the 18th and 19th centuries.
Materials: Aleppo pine wood, ropes, poles and walkways.
Function: coastal fishing without going out by boat.
Presence in the reserve: a historic trabocco at the foot of the Punta Aderci headland.

Travelling through Abruzzo we went to visit the Punta Aderci Nature Reserve in the south of Abruzzo

Travelling through Abruzzo… we discovered paradise! How is it possible that we didn’t know it already? This always amazes me. And this time it wasn’t just me ignoring this magical place… even Ale was as surprised as I was! Paradise is in Vasto, in the province of Chieti, and it’s called Punta Aderci. It’s a natural reserve unknown to most people, but it leaves you breathless with its wild nature.

We leave early in the morning, determined to make our first dive of the season in a sea that looks like Sardinia but, surprisingly, is right here at home. Sure, from Rome the trip isn’t exactly short, but once you arrive… who remembers the three hours in the car?! The photos on the reserve’s website already spoke for themselves but you know… Photoshop, expert photographers… you never know… and yet there’s no trick and no deception: this place is truly, truly wonderful.

We park the car near the beach and get ready for our dive. In front of us only this blue, sparkling sea; around us a wild and beautiful nature, the sun shining, the air filled with spring scents… what more could we want?

Right on the little beach where we stopped, as if everything else weren’t enough, we find a real “Trabocco”, a wooden fishing structure typical of the area. It’s beautiful! Just look at the photos to understand how fascinating it is.

How I would love to cross the walkway and look inside! But of course it’s not possible, there’s a clear “no entry” sign. Too bad! But even just from the outside, I’m happy to have admired it up close.

We’re ready for our dive, I can’t wait to discover the seabed. The beach (not made of sand but of small shell fragments, beautiful but a bit “uncomfortable”) slopes gently into the water, but what attracts us are the huge rocks emerging just a few meters from the shore.

These are not man‑made rocks but real “islets” placed there by Mother Nature.

We expect nothing special, we’re not used to thinking that the Adriatic coast hides secrets underwater, and here the water is no more than 8 meters deep.

So? We were wrong! The bottom was indeed about 6 meters deep, not more, but it was beautiful! Anemones everywhere, cute little creatures with their beautiful shells, small and large fish swimming peacefully around us.

And, as the icing on the cake, we came across two beautiful and huge cuttlefish… too bad we couldn’t photograph them because they were truly magnificent!

We wander down there for as long as the still‑cold water allows, then we get out, tidy up the ton of equipment we always carry, and finally enjoy a sandwich and some sun.

Sure, we had thought about doing some trekking too, since the reserve is more famous for its land trails than for its marine side, but the day flew by and there was no more time.

How I love lying in the sun and looking at the deep blue of this sea! This is peace and serenity, pure joy!

I must add a practical note. As wonderful as the place is, it’s not free from “unpleasant surprises”, so if you plan to visit, be very careful with your belongings and do not leave your car open or unattended, as the area is isolated.

Punta Aderci Nature Reserve – Vasto

Exploring the Punta Aderci Nature Reserve, one of the wildest and most scenic stretches of the Trabocchi Coast in the Vasto area of Abruzzo.

Punta Aderci, Vasto

Guide contents

What the Punta Aderci Reserve is