Trekking in Sicily: why to do it and the most beautiful trails
Trekking in Sicily means living a physical and mental experience truly unique. This land has several hiking opportunities to offer visitors. The Sunshine Island, in fact, is characterized by areas with dense forests, canyons carved by the course of rivers, and volcanic peaks that alternate with its seascapes.
There are many paths we are going to discover whose path does not require special experience. Above all, hikers must have a good sense of direction given the poor signage and equally critical spirit in assessing both the degree of difficulty and one’s own physical condition.
Why go trekking
Practicing hiking has several advantages and benefits as it empties the mind and strengthens the body. Therefore, it is an activity to be done both in leisure time but also as a contemplative sport to discover oneself and the land.
Definitely one of the main reasons for hiking is its being accessible, easy and affordable. Without having to have exceptional physical fitness, it is enough for men and women to be in possession of appropriate clothing according to the season and geographic setting. Also, economically speaking, a large budget is not required.
Trekking alone or in good company, allows, then, to slow down, escaping the daily hectic pace and to detoxify. Discover the wonderful places of beautiful Sicily by hiking, allows a reconnection with one’s self e with what is essential, freeing the mind and unleashing one’s creativity. Thus going to focus on a slower approach, typical of slow life and even slow tourism.
And what about the benefits to one’s physical health? Trekking is a type of motor activity that stimulates the muscular system without excessive trauma and strengthens the cardiovascular system. It also fortifies the immune system and greatly reduces the risk of hypertension and diabetes. Finally, its being gradual allows for comprehensive training suitable for all age groups.
Where to go trekking in Sicily
So if you’re wondering where to go hiking in Sicily, we can only recommend some of the most fascinating routes. Realizing that every corner of Sicily is rich in places and traditions to be discovered, we want to offer tourists who are passionate about hiking the opportunity to experience Trinacria from this aspect as well.
So, backpack and get ready to discover the best hikes to take among the unique natural and scenic beauty of this beautiful land.
Hiking in western Sicily
Trekking in western Sicily means walking itineraries between the beautiful sea and its highlands, advancing in stages and imagining, therefore, the wonders of the next stages.
Among the hiking experiences in this part of the island certainly not to be missed is the coastal path of the Zingaro. Among the three practicable trails in the Reserve, this is the easiest as a degree of difficulty. It is 7 km, which can be easily covered in about 2 hours, not including visiting the various bays present along the way. For lovers of the sea trekking in Sicily, this is a favorite. Agable in both spring and fall, what makes it unique is the strong presence of the Mediterranean bush. Among broom and thyme, ash and almond trees, dwarf palm and carob trees, the great variety of colors of the vegetation contrasts with the blue of the sea and the white of the stone, characterizing the landscape of this corner of Sicily.
Not far from the Zingaro Nature Reserve, overlooking San Vito Lo Capo, there is, instead, the path of Monte Monaco. A year-round destination for trekking enthusiasts, the route follows the ancient route used for agriculture and pastoralism. Starting from Mondello, the route is marked by its rich vegetation, a beautiful example of maquis. Just before the summit, it is possible to see the remains of a disused marble quarry which is followed shortly after by a cross To indicate the point of arrival. The views here are breathtaking: as far as the eye can see, they range from Erice to Monte Cofano, from San Vito Lo Capo to the Gulf of Castellammare and on to Monte Speziale and the plain of Castelluzzo. The itinerary takes about 1.30 hours and is also suitable for young children.
Proceeding towards the Sicilian hinterland, not far from Palermo, is the Madonie Park. Created for landscape preservation, management and conservation, the mountain rocks are among the oldest in the Prehistoric Sicily. In fact, their geological importance is such that the geopark is listed in the European Geoparks Network recognized by UNESCO. At 40,000 hectares in size, the park is distinguished by its biodiversity: from the dense olive and chestnut groves of the coastal part, we move on to holm oak and beech forest coverings of the mountain range and then to its bare or verdant eastern slope depending on the season.
Several trails are intended for hiking, varying in degree of difficulty. Here we would like to report the path of peace. Conceived by the Italian Alpine Club of Petralia Sottana, this route allows people to walk to the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell’Alto. Starting from Cefalù, even the least experienced hiker can travel the route totally immersing himself in its pristine landscapes made of broom, mandolin pear trees, peonies and wild apple trees. Its duration is about a day: if you leave in the morning, already by late afternoon you are back in Cefalù.
It is possible to go trekking in western Sicily also in the southernmost area of the Madonie Park, precisely where the Sicani Mountains. The protected area includes four nature reserves that have been suppressed today:
- Mount of Palazzo Adriano and Sosio Valley
- Mount Carcaci
- Mount Genuardo and Santa Maria del Bosco
- Mount Cammarata.
The latter is the highest peak of the mountain range and constitutes as one of the most beautiful routes for hiking enthusiasts. The trekking route on Mount Cammarata involves a long walk at an altitude of more than 900 meters where there are several viewpoints as well as rich vegetation. Among oak groves and dense undergrowth, some trails also lead to artificial lakes created by damming the two main rivers that flow through the Park: the Sosio and the Platani. Here it is easy to come across flocks of migratory birds and also enjoy sport fishing. Other birds typical of the area, such as hoopoe, great titmouse and red-cockaded woodpecker, can also be spotted along the various routes. If you then choose to Trekking in the Sicani Mountains in the spring., surely to accompany the journey there are many beautiful butterflies thanks to the presence of flowers that flank the trails.
So if you are wondering what to do in Western Sicily, surely hiking is one of the many activities with which to discover this part of the island precisely because of the nature reserves and parks here.
The paths of eastern Sicily
Practicing trekking in eastern Sicily also means coming across mysterious and surreal places such as the
Argimusco Plateau. The nature site in the province of Messina has several nature trails to offer hikers. One of them crosses the Malabotta Forest, one of the oldest in Sicily and where you can have direct contact with the typical flora and fauna of the area.
Among the most striking, however, we propose the path that winds among the characteristic monoliths that form the so-called Stonehenge of Sicily. It is an easy trail that can be walked in about 30 to 40 minutes and is suitable for everyone.
Do hiking in eastern Sicily is also to hike trails among beautiful natural landscapes and the archaeological sites. Do archeotrekking in Trinacria, however, requires a strong spirit of adaptation as well as some physical preparation since there is not always maintenance. One of the best known sites where you can merge naturalistic and historical interests is certainly the Pantalica. Walking through the canyons carved out by the Anapo River, it is possible to walk among the tombs of the UNESCO World Heritage necropolis but also to visit the Bat Cave and Byzantine remains until you reach the Calcinara stream.
If you would like to go trekking in the province of Syracuse and discover its archaeological beauty, we also recommend the site of Thapsos. The half-day route to discover the Bronze Age city of the dead is practicable for everyone and does not present great technical difficulties.
And what about Cava d’Ispica? The southernmost archaeological and nature area in eastern Sicily, it offers hikers the chance to discover the island’s oldest human settlements by walking among caves and totally immersing themselves in the Sicilian countryside. True highlight is the possibility of booking tours and enjoying a good aperitif at the Sirocco Refuge. Tasting traditional products after a long hike surely is a unique way to discover beautiful Sicily.
If you are wondering where to go hiking in the mountains, absolutely a must are the trails of the Crasto Rocks, in the Nebrodi Natural Park. At the large rock formation it is possible to walk along three routes with not high degree of difficulty although long and with several elevation changes. Certainly easing the fatigue of the walk is the beautiful vegetation made of flowers such as anemone orchids, primroses and cyclamens as well as broom and holm oaks. It is easy to come across the many birds and animals that live in the nature reserve and that with a little patience can be spotted. Worth visiting along the way on one of the trails on the western side of the rocky is the Lauro Cave, characteristic for the impressive stalactites and stalagmites that decorate its various rooms.
In this guide to the best trails in eastern Sicily, you cannot miss the Etna Park. Appreciated by lovers of outdoor sports, it was the first nature reserve to be established on the island. The beauty of the many trails lies in their unraveling over the various recent and historic lava flows of the well-known volcano, in an area very often devoid of or with little vegetation and with different slopes depending on the morphology of the terrain. Some of the best known include:
- Zoccolaro Mountain .ca 2 kilometers long and very steep. From the summit it is possible to see the entire Calanna Valley covered by the continuous flows. From here, you can also watch the spectacular eruptions of Mount Etna from a safe distance.
- The Zuppinazzu is an easy walking trail at the end of which you can see the largest pine tree on the island. 300 years old, it exceeds a height of 30 meters.
- the Donkey’s Back of 5 kilometers and among the most interesting routes on Etna. Several views of the Bove Valley below and the summit craters can be enjoyed during the hike.
The paths of central Sicily
Trekking in Sicily also means embarking on paths in which very strong and the experiential connotation, intended for the rediscovery of local communities always open to welcome. Born on the example of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, in Sicily known are the Vie Francigene and the Via Sacre.
Among the sacred-themed paths in central Sicily we want to recommend the Via del Frati. This trail starts from the heart of the island, crossing the provinces of Palermo and Caltanissetta, passing through the Sicilian Alps, the Madonie Mountains and arriving in Cefalù. The itinerary includes the crossing of Provincial roads and mountain trails for 166 km divided into 8 stages. The scenery is breathtaking: sweeping views of the Sicilian countryside full of flowers in spring and wheat shoots in summer take center stage. Proceeding into the mountains, one comes across beech and oak forests and local wildlife. In the home stretch the gaze wanders to the sea near Cefalù.
Among the hiking experiences related to the concept of slow travel, we can only recommend the trekking in Sicily with donkeys. In autumn and spring between Calascibetta and Gangi the traditional transhumance of the docile animals takes place, during which it is possible to accompany the donkey on the journey. This ancient custom, still widespread in the area, makes it possible to visit villages and discover local culinary traditions, all while respecting the ancient rural rituals that make the beautiful land called Sicily unique.
by Annapasqua Logrieco