Sicily villas for hiking and walking

Head off the beaten track and explore a completely different side to Sicily, one far removed from the beaches and historic sites. The Nebrodi, the Madonie and Mount Etna are Sicily’s three main mountain ranges.

 

Discovering the Nebrodi mountains >>

A half or full day’s trekking in the densely-forested Nebrodi takes you through oak and beech woods and past cascading waterfalls and mountain fortresses. Wild flowers carpet the forest floor in spring time while in the autumn, the woods turn to a blaze of red, gold and yellow. Enjoy breath-taking views over the Biviere and Maulazzo lakes, across Mount Etna towards the Aeolian Islands and tuck into locally-produced cheese and salami with hunks of bread over a picnic lunch. 

 

Walking in the Parco delle Madonie >>

Choose from a selection of walks, lasting from two hours to a full day, in the Madonie mountains, Sicily’s highest mountain range. Incorporating natural wonders such as the giant holly trees on the Piano Pomo and views from the highest peak of Pizzo Carbonara where flocks of sheep graze in summer and autumn, the mountains are home to some wonderful flora and several pretty medieval villages.

 

Mount Etna hiking >>

A half or full day trek on Europe’s highest volcano is a world away from the tourist train ride to the summit. Hike through a landscape that changes as you climb, with pine forests, vineyards and sub-tropical citrus groves giving way to oak and beech forests.

 

Elsewhere in Sicily, the nature reserves of Vendicari in the east, Zingaro in the west and the forest of Alcamo, close to Palermo, all offer excellent hiking opportunities.