Pure adrenaline in the Alcantara River Park
48 kilometers of pure adrenaline. We are talking about one of the main rivers in Sicily, the only one protected by a river park. L’Alcantara offers unique and intense emotions. Its gorges, formed by ancient lava flows, allow sports enthusiasts to enjoy a variety of activities, including quad bike excursions and river trekking.
Origins of the Alcantara River Park
The Alcantara River Park was established in 2001, replacing the previous nature reserve. Geomorphologically, the area varies significantly from source to mouth. The river develops between the Nebrodi and Peloritani chains., with a catchment area of about 573 km2, fed by confluent waters from the mountains. It changes scenery abruptly, moving from huge valleys to narrow lava gorges, to the mouth on the Ionian Sea with an alluvial-type plain.
The perimeter of the park includes the municipalities of Calatabiano, Castiglione di Sicilia, Francavilla di Sicilia, Gaggi, and Giardini Naxos. Still, Graniti, Malvagna, Mojo Alcantara, Motta Camastra, Randazzo, Roccella Valdemonte, and Taormina.
The flora occurs with plant formations such as mesoxerophilous. In addition, the river environment is home to not inconsiderable wildlife. It is possible to spot species such as the crab river, the natrix, the egret e the snipe.
How did the Alcantara Gorge form?
The formation of the gorges dates back to prehistoric and protohistoric times. Several lava flows, coming from the northern part of Etna, invaded the territory, changing the course of the Alcantara River. Subsequently, it was the incessant flow of water that eroded the rock, resulting in columnar basalts with deep vertical fissures.
The best way to enjoy the park: quad bike tours and more
To enjoy an unforgettable experience, in one of the wildest places in Eastern Sicily, it is advisable to put aside fear and participate in adrenaline tours. Precisely because of its geomorphological variety, it is possible to engage in a variety of activities.
For those who love motors and nature, the best choice can only fall on an ATV excursion! Taking care of this is precisely the team of Alcantara Valley Quad. The agency offers the Funny Quad Tour among the mule tracks, off-road trails and streams of the Alcantara Valley and the Cuba Quad Tour Discovering the Byzantine Cuba and the Alcantara River (more info here).
For those who want to totally immerse themselves in nature, we recommend the river trekking. The latter, precisely because of its uniqueness, establishes itself as one of the best activities in Sicily. Rapids, eddies and waterfalls, all in a setting as unique as those of the Gorges. Where to practice river trekking? We talk about it in this very article.
Luca Russo