Sicily mountain bike tour, from Siracusa to Etna volcano

Italy

Destination

Intermediate

Difficulty level

Sicily Mountain Bike Tour: History, Baroque & Volcanoes

The Sicily mountain bike tour is an incredible expedition across the largest and most captivating island in the Mediterranean. Surrounded by Sardinia, the Italian Peninsula, and Greece, and directly facing the coast of Tunisia, Sicily boasts an incredibly strategic location. For centuries, it was the ultimate object of desire and a vital bastion for kings, princes, and sultans who sought to dominate the Mediterranean trade routes.

The Greeks, Arabs, Romans, Normans, Bourbons, and Spaniards all conquered the island at different points in history. Each civilization left a profound legacy, beautifully visible today in the local architecture, historic sculptures, gastronomy, agriculture, art, and the vibrant spirit of its people. Just look at Taormina’s magnificent Greek theater to see this timeless history come alive!

From Baroque Masterpieces to the Volcanic Slopes of Mount Etna

Our cycling route takes us mainly through the stunning southeast of the island, visiting the historic gems of Módica, Noto, Ragusa, Palazzolo, and Siracusa. Following a devastating earthquake in 1693, these towns were entirely rebuilt in the late Baroque style, creating a unified and breathtaking architectural landscape that is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The journey continues as we loop around the spectacular Mount Etna, pedaling over volcanic tracks at altitudes ranging from 1,700 to 1,900 meters until we reach Randazzo. From there, we descend toward the Ionian Sea to reach Giardini Naxos. Nearby lies Taormina, perched two hundred meters above Mount Taurus. Serving as a spectacular natural terrace, its ancient Greek theater offers incredible panoramic views of the smoking Mount Etna and the beautiful Bay of Giardini Naxos. This mountain bike tour through Sicily is an unforgettable experience—we look forward to riding with you!

DEPARTURE/ARRIVAL	Catania, Sicily (Italy)
DEPARTING TIME	12:00 PM meeting in Catania
SERVICES INCLUDED	Detailed GPS tracks for the entire route (GPS device must be mounted on your handlebar; device is not provided by the organization). Expert cycling guide (English, Spanish, and French-speaking) throughout the tour + local Sicilian guide. Seven nights in selected 3-star hotels in double or triple occupancy, breakfast included. One night in a charming local B&B, double or triple occupancy, breakfast included. Full mechanical assistance on the road and spare bike availability in case of breakdowns. Travel medical and accident insurance. Private van transfer from Catania to Módica. Private van transfer from Giardini Naxos to Fontanarossa Airport (Catania). Group van transfer from Siracusa to Mount Etna slopes. Daily luggage transportation from hotel to hotel. Official event cycling jersey.
NOT INCLUDED	Lunches, dinners, and meals not specified in the itinerary, plus all beverages and alcoholic beverages. Airfare, airport taxes, and unscheduled transfers. Bike replacement parts, laundry, phone calls, and personal expenses. MTB rental.

Additional information

Location	Italy
Duration	9 days
Dates	May

Beautiful bike tour in South east Sicily, starting in Barroque Modica, Noto and Palazzolo + Necropolis Pantalica, Siracusa, Etna Vulcano, Giardini Naxos and Taormina.

Day 1: Ciao Sicilia! Meeting in Catania and transfer to South east Sicily

We meet in Catania and our van will drive us to “Modica”. The transfer takes two hours, so once we arrive to the hotel we’ll receive and prepare the bikes and introduce the trip to everybody before enjoying a delicious Sicilian dinner.

Day 2: Modica – Scicli – Cava D’Aliga – Sampieri – Marina di Modica – Modica

We start from Modica, a beautiful Baroque city built on the lower slopes of Hyblaean hills and also famous for its chocolate. We ride South West to Scicli, another jewel of baroque architecture and set of many movies and TV series such as “Inspector Montalbano”. Then to the Mediterranean Sea, on a coastal ride that will touch the areas of Cava D’Aliga and Sampieri. Here we meet Fornace Penna, industrial archaeological ruins of a centennial bricks’ factory. Continuing along the coast until Marina di Modica and then returning to inland in a mostly uphill section to Modica.
56Km/714 m elevation gain. Offroad/gravel 30%/Paved 70%

Day 3: Modica – Ragusa Ibla – Giarratana - Palazzolo

We start from Modica, one of the most beautiful cities of the Sicilian Baroque South east in direction Ragusa Ibla, another jewel of baroque architecture, located scenically on a hilltop, downhill on a beautiful single track path. After a short visit of Ragusa Ibla, we continue uphill to the small village of Giarratana. From Giarratana we ride along the former railway tracks to Palazzolo Acreide, anotherBaroque city and the end of our stage. Overnight in Palazzolo Acreide. 53Km/1070 m elevation gain. Offroad/gravel 40%/Paved 60%

Day 4: Palazzolo – Palazzolo with Pantalica and Ferla

Today’s stage will take us around the “Anapo Valley” and the deep canyons that are typical for this area. From Palazzolo we cycle through the typical landscape of the Iblei Plateau downhill to reach the river Anapo, near the “gate” to the “Pantalica Valley”. The last part of the track is a fast downhill. From here we start a climb to the upper part of Pantalica, a Necropolis from the late “Bronze Age” and later inhabited during the byzantine era. At the “saddle of Filiporto” we can see tombs of the Necropolis and the remains of the byzantine settlement with the oratory of San Micidiario. We continue to Ferla, a picturesque small village before we return on the former railway tracks along the “Anapo Valley” to our hotel in Palazzolo Acreide. Overnight in Palazzolo Acreide.
63 km/1000 m elevation gain – Offroad/gravel 25%/Paved 75%

Day 5: Palazzolo Acreide – Testa dell'Acqua – Noto Antica – Cava Carosello – Noto

From Palazzolo Acreide we start on a rolling road in direction Testa dell’Acqua, a small village. We will come along some nice single tracks and different kinds of gravel ways. From there we continue downhill to Noto Antica, the ruins of the first, original city of Noto before it was destroyed by the devastating earthquake of 1693 and rebuilt completely new closer to the coast. We continue to the valley of Cava Carosello. The caves with the basins where used during the arabic byzantine period as tanneries. From here we continue downhill to Noto, the capital of Sicillian Baroque and the end of our stage today. Overnight in Noto. 46 km/620m elevation gain – Offroad/gravel 40%/Paved 60%

Day 6: Noto – Fontane Bianche – Ognina - Arenella - Plemmirio – Siracusa

Today’s stage will lead us along the coastline to Siracusa. The first part is a continues change of short downhills and climbs until we arrive on the coast at Fontane Bianche, pass by the small harbor of Ognina and the sandy beach of Arenella before we arrive at the rocky coast of Plemmirio, where we have a spectacular view on “Ortigia”, the historical center of the most beautiful city of Sicily: Siracusa. We continue to Siracusa, the end of today stage. Overnight in Siracusa. 50 km/400m elevation gain – Offroad/gravel 60%/Paved 40%

Day 7: Siracusa – transfer to Rifugio Sapienza/Piano Vettore – Pista Altomontana – Randazzo

From Siracusa we start in the morning by bus for a transfer to Rifugio Sapienza on Mt. Etna. We start cycling fromt he south side of Mt. Etna, at about 1800 m above sea level on the fascinating “Pista Altomontana”. It is an easy path between forests to old lava fields. After an easy climb on the first kilometers up to Rifugio Glavarina and Poggio La Caccia at 1950 m.
From here we start the downhill on the north side of the volcanoe. At Mt Nunziato we stop to see the cave formed by a lava flow in 1843. We continue to Monte Spagnolo and then on a single track on the lava flows from 1981 to the “Bottoniera” craters that endangered the city of Randazzo in 1981. Shortly after we will arrive in the medeveal town of Randazzo. Overnight in Randazzo. 40 km/370m elevation gain

Day 8: Randazzo – Gole dell'Alcantara – Giardini Naxos - Taormina – Giardini Naxos

This stage will show us the beautiful Alcantara Valley. We will pass through some villages, always with the impressive Silhouette of Mt. Etna in our view. We will also pass through some vineyards where the famous red wine from Etna is produced. A characteristic red wine with a special taste that also comes from the volcanic minerals in the soil from lava dust. The Alcantara river runs through the volcanic stone and has formed the marvelous Alcantara gorge. Along the way we will also see the Cuba Bizantina, a cubical stone church of byzantine origins). Stage ends in Giardini Naxos, where we’ll have lunch and celebrate for a fantastic ride. In the afternoon we visit Taormina and return to Giardini Naxos. 42km/200m elevation gain.

Day 9: Arrivederci Sicilia!

You can choose between being transferred to Catania’s “Fontanarossa” airport or to stay in Giardini Naxos where the tour finishes.

Tour Reviews

5.00 based on 1 review

Gervasio Barzola

June 10, 2022

An incredible experience filled of nature, history, and good vibes. From the rough little creeks with water crosses and rocks, the scenic rides along country roads, to the majestic Mt Etna descend. Mariano and his crew will make sure everybody enjoys each day of an incredible journey. See you at the next stop.

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