Hiking in Sicily

The sun-drenched island of Sicily offers fascinating layers of history and some of the most renowned cuisine in all Italy. Our intriguing journey explores the extraordinary heritage and vibrant cultures of this storied isle. Exhilarating hikes bring us through Sicily’s wild inland mountains—a pastoral world of tiny villages and farms where the old ways truly thrive, up the volcanic slopes of Mt. Etna, and along coastal trails above the turquoise sea. Our explorations include the cultural and culinary heart of Sicily, with wine tasting and dinner with a baron, the ethereal Greek temples and theaters of Segesta and Taormina, medieval Erice, and the unforgettable Roman imperial villa of Piazza Armerina, with its elaborate mosaics still intact after nearly 2,000 years.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Palermo / Segesta / Erice / Monte Cofane Nature Reserve

From Palermo, we visit the remarkable 5th century BC Greek temple at Segesta en route to Erice, a walled medieval citadel overlooking the sea. The next day in Monte Cofano Nature Reserve, we hike cove-to-cove on coastal trails above some of Sicily’s most isolated and enchanting beaches.

Days 3-4
Monreale / Cefalú

Our walk through the vineyards of Trapani, Sicily’s main wine district, is followed by wine tasting and lunch on a prince’s estate. After visiting Monreale’s 12th century cathedral, with its dazzling collection of golden Greek and Byzantine mosaics, we head to seaside Cefalú, whose atmospheric Old Town is a maze of narrow cobbled streets. Our hike in the Madonie Mountains among farms and charming villages reveals Sicily’s deeply rustic culture, where age-old traditions still thrive.

Days 5-7
Piazza Armerina / Pantalica Gorge / Siracusa

After exploring the lavish mosaics of the Roman imperial villa at Piazza Armerina, we hike in the Pantalica Gorge, where thousands of rock-hewn Neolithic tombs adorn the canyon walls. In Siracusa, whose 2,700-year-old heart, Ortygia, is set on an island, we explore fabulous Greek, Roman, and Christian ruins and enjoy wine tasting and dinner in the home of a local wine baron.

Days 8-10
Mt. Etna / Taormina / Catania

Our hike on the slopes of Mt. Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, brings us across breathtaking lava landscapes. Heading to the entrancing town of Taormina, perched high above two sweeping bays, we explore its palazzi-lined streets and 3rd century BC Greek theater before departing on Day 10 from Catania.

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 3, or Moderate, according to our trip grading system, and is designed for those who have at least some hiking experience. It features day walks and hikes of 3-8 miles. While the mountains of this beautiful island are not high, the trails can be steep and a bit rugged in places. Please also note that the hiking can feel more demanding at times because the weather can occasionally be hot, even in the lovely spring and early fall periods when we make our journeys. We will carry just a daypack with water bottle, sunscreen, camera, and anything else you want with you while on the trail. Luggage is transported for us by van, so it is always possible to ride in the van if you wish to opt out of a day’s hiking.

We recommended good hiking boots and hiking poles for all the walks. For your own enjoyment, we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Daily brisk walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises. Sturdy, well-broken-in hiking boots are essential for the rural trails of this area.

The meals included in the itinerary will be taken at the hotels where we are staying or at restaurants in the towns, with the occasional picnic lunch of local breads, cheeses, fruits, and wines. For lunches and dinners “on your own,” the Trip Leader will be happy to advise you on, or accompany you, to local restaurants and trattorias. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm.

In an effort to capture the spirit of old Europe, the hotels we use are often family-run converted villas or inns, full of ambiance and colorful local history. Although the rooms are not always of uniform or international size, our leaders try their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole.

Explanation of Trip Levels