A tour of the best hiking spots of Sicily
January 4th, 2008
After writing on the best adventure spots of Italy, I’ve read a question from Rich that, after reading the list, said:
The title is a little over-the-top, but it did give me some leads on hikes in Italy I had not heard of before.
So I’ve decided to surprise him by posting a more detailed list of the best trails where I live: Sicily
Below the map of the region with a marker pointed on where I live. You can click on the “+/-” buttons to see more detailed info.
Map of Sicily
Ideas to touring the island by walking
Volcano Trek - 8 days / 7 nights Self guided tour
- Day 1: Catania
- Day 2: Lipari (4 hours walking, +290 - 430 mt.)
- Day 3: Vulcano (3 hours hiking, +390 - 390 mt.)
- Day 4: Lipari - Stromboli (4 h hiking, + 400 - 400 mt.)
- Day 5: Stromboli (6 hours hiking, + 924 - 924 mt.)
- Day 6: Etna (1 hour hiking, +100 -100 mt.)
- Day 7: Etna (7 hours hiking, + 1000 - 1000 mt.)
- Day 8: Catania
The extreme challenge: the traverse of Mt Etna (3350 mt)
Mt Etna has a boundary of 250 Km and covers 1260 square meters making it the largest volcano in Europe. It rises to 3350 over sea level at the summit craters, but this height varies as a result of on-going constructive and destructive explosive activity that constantly reshapes the summit crater area.
The secret soul of Sicily - Guided discovery - 9 Days / 8 nights
- Day 1: Arrival at Catania airport and visit to the town.
- Day 2: Transfer to Taormina. In the afternoon walk on the southern side of Mt Etna.
- Day 3: Guided visit to Syracuse. In the afternoon walk in Pantalica natural reserve.
- Day 4: Discovery of Ragusa and Modica, classified by the UNESCO
- Day 5: Visit to Piazza Armerina and Caltagirone in the afternoon
- Day 6: Agrigento and the Temples Valley
- Day 7: Guided visit of Palermo and in the afternoon visit to Segesta Temple
- Day 8: Zingaro Natural Reserve and visit to Erice in the afternoon
- Day 9: Transfer to Palermo airport
Thanks to Ogil
West Sicily - 8 days self guided trekking
- Day 1: Individual arrival in Palermo, transfer in S. Vito lo Capo.
- Day 2: Trekking in the Natural Reserve of the Zingaro, Erice, S. Vito lo Capo
- Day 3: Trekking in the Natural Reserve of the Monte Cofano, visit of Segesta, S. Vito lo Capo
- Day 4: Excursion to the Egadi islands – Levanzo, Trapani
- Day 5: Islands of Mozia, Marsala, Selinunte
- Day 6: Eraclea Minoa, Agrigento, Palermo
- Day 7: visit of Palermo
- Day 8: visit of Palermo and departure
The Volcano trail
Sicily Volcano Trail is an international, non competitive, race. The “sky runners” are the bold participants who challenge themselves “across the sky”, running at high altitude.
An amazing competition taking place in the heart of the Mediterranean, between the Aeolian Islands and Mt Etna. A 100 Km race divided into 5 timed runs with 4670 mt total drop.
Most popular attractions
- Catania, is located on the east coast of the island, halfway between Messina and Siracusa and is at the foot of the active volcano Mount Etna. Read more…
- Aeolian islands, are a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily. Read more…
- Mount Etna, is an active volcano on the east coast of Sicily, close to Messina and Catania. It is the largest active volcano in Europe, currently standing about 3,326 m (10,910 ft) high. Read more…
- Taormina, is a small town on the east coast of the island of Sicily, Italy, in the Province of Messina, about midway between Messina (ancient Messana) and Catania (ancient Catana). Read more…
- Syracuse, is an Italian city on the eastern coast of Sicily. Once described by Cicero as “the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all,” the ancient center of Syracuse is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Read more…
- Modica, is a city in the Province of Ragusa. The city is situated in the Iblean mountains and, along with Val di Noto, is part of UNESCO Heritage Sites in Italy. Read more…
- Agrigento, is a city on the southern coast of Sicily. It is renowned as the site of the ancient Greek city of Akragras, one of the leading cities of Magna Graecia during the golden age of Ancient Greece. Read more…
- Palermo, is the principal city and administrative seat of the autonomous region of Sicily, Italy as well as the capital of the Province of Palermo. Read more…
- Erice, is located on top of Mount Erice, at around 750m above sea level, overlooking the city of Trapani, the low western coast towards Marsala, the dramatic Punta del Saraceno and Capo san Vito to the north-east, and the Aegadian Islands on Sicily’s north-western coast, providing spectacular views. Read more…
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