{"id":3087,"date":"2020-09-26T06:47:31","date_gmt":"2020-09-26T06:47:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/?p=3087"},"modified":"2024-11-06T13:20:09","modified_gmt":"2024-11-06T12:20:09","slug":"walking-in-sicily","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/walking-in-sicily\/","title":{"rendered":"Walking in Sicily"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the fierce summer sun retreats and autumn colours appear, Sicily undergoes something of a personality shift. The sun is still warm enough for beach-goers but for visitors who want to hike across rural landscapes and along rugged coastlines, the temperature couldn\u2019t be more perfect.<\/p>\n

In addition to the gentle temperatures, you\u2019ll be treated to some dazzling colours. Warm reddish-brown hues shroud the slopes of the Madonie and Nebrodi mountains, in sharp contrast to the island\u2019s dazzling blue sea and rocky coastlines. Some of these trails are busier than others but visit in October and there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll have the place to yourself.<\/p>\n


\nBest mountain hike<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Not surprisingly, Europe\u2019s most active volcano is going to attract bigger crowds than some of Sicily\u2019s more remote trails but it\u2019s hard to beat in terms of sheer spectacle.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our advice for keen walkers is to join a guided walking tour. Tours usually meet at Rifugio Sapienza, then travel on the cable car and a 4×4 bus to the hike start point. A full day crater hiking tour includes equipment hire (hiking boots and poles, helmet) takes you on a 2-hour ascent, across spectacular lunar-style landscapes to the summit craters.<\/p>\n

For independent explorers, if you\u2019re up for the hike and prefer to avoid the cable car, the hike from Rifugio Sapienza to the Moutain Hut at the top of the cable car ride takes around 1.5 hours along a wide volcanic gravel path. Or, if you don\u2019t fancy doing too much hiking, book on to a day tour departing from Catania or Taormina, which includes the cable car from Rifugio Sapienza to the Mountain Hut. Terrazza sul Mare<\/a>, just outside Acireale, is an excellent base for visits to Mount Etna.<\/p>\n

\"Terrazza<\/a>
Terrazza sul Marea, Pozzillo – Sicily<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n


\nBest coastal hike<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A gentler and more off-the-beaten hiking option is Capo Milazzo peninsula where you can follow the trail through olive groves and cactus \u00a0before descending to the sea. The gentle 1-hour hike starts and ends at the Chiesa di San Antonio, looping round the peninsula. On a clear day, you can see Vulcano island, the closest Aeolian island to Sicily.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leave time to drop down for a dip in the clear waters of the natural pool, the Piscina di Venere, and to visit the ruins of the 13th<\/sup> century Santuario Rupestre di San Antonio, a tiny chapel carved out of the rockface.<\/p>\n

The Capo Milazzo is a short drive from Villa Alma<\/a>, a 4-bedroom villa with extraordinary views over the surrounding countryside and Aeolian Islands.<\/p>\n

\"Villa<\/a>
Villa Alma, San Pier Niceto – Sicily<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n


\nExplore Sicily\u2019s nature reserves<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If walking is top of your agenda, be sure to visit one of Sicily\u2019s nature reserves. Head to the Zingaro Reserve, Sicily\u2019s first nature reserve, in the west for views of rugged cliff faces, pocket-size coves and azure seas.<\/strong> Two entrances to the park, one just beyond Scopello, another close to San Vito Lo Capo, provide access to a series of good hiking trails across the reserve.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, holiday at Casa Ulisse<\/a>, on Sicily\u2019s most southerly point, and the white sands on your doorstep won\u2019t be the only attraction. Stop by the Cassibile Nature Reserve, with its 10 kilometres of trails and gorgeous scenery, and also at the Vendicari Nature Reserve<\/a>, fringed by white sandy beaches and inhabited by migrating flamingos and nesting turtles. You can also see the remains of a historic tonnara and the 15th<\/sup> century Torre Sveva.<\/p>\n