Coastal and Mountain Hikes, Greek and Roman Ruins
Hiking in Sicily
Overview
Sicily is an inspiring island whose 3,000-year-old blend of Mediterranean cultures is evident in Roman temples and Norman-Arab architecture. Even the cuisine is laced with Greek, Spanish, and Arab influences! We hike mountain trails high above the turquoise Mediterranean Sea, follow paths into the wild Pantàlica Gorge, dotted with Neolithic tombs, and head up to the top of towering Mt. Etna. World Heritage Sites abound, including the marvelous Villa Romana del Casale and unforgettable Siracusa, whose 2,700-year-old heart, Ortigia, is filled with Greek and Roman ruins. Sicily’s cuisine counts high among the delights of this trip (think catch-of-the-day fish and indulgent desserts), as do our expert Trip Leaders who call this captivating island home.
Arrive: Palermo, Italy
Depart: Catania, Italy
Highlights
- Hike rolling vineyards, spectacular seaside trails, and the wild Pantàlica Gorge
- Enjoy clifftop Taormina, with an optional summit hike on Mt. Etna
- Explore Siracusa’s Ortigia Island and Villa Romana, an open-air World Heritage Site
- Savor Sicily’s unique cuisine, with its Arab influences and catch-of-the-day fish
Itinerary
We hike to the photogenic 5th century BC Doric temple at Segesta, hike the rugged slopes of Monte San Giuliano, upon which Erice is perched, and walk through vineyards to a family-run agriturismo. We’ll also admire the golden Byzantine mosaics at Monreale’s 12th century cathedral. Seaside Cefalù, dominated by a Norman cathedral, is our base for a hike in the Madonie Mountains, where Sicily’s rustic culture thrives.
At Villa Romana, an open-air World Heritage Site, we’ll view amazing intact mosaic floors depicting everyday Roman life in the 3rd century AD. From our pastoral agriturismo, we can hike, relax by the pool, or visit an archaeological site.
Our trail leads us among Bronze Age tombs in the wild Pantàlica Gorge, one of Sicily’s most fascinating nature reserves. In Siracusa, we walk the waterfront promenades and marble lanes of Ortigia, the historic center of Siracusa and a World Heritage Site full of wonders including the Fountain of Arethusa and Temple of Apollo.
Writers from Goethe to Hemingway have been drawn to the hill town of Taormina. We’ll visit its Roman theater, then head up to 9,500 feet on Mt. Etna for a hike below the crater. Depart on Day 11 via Catania.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. You will need to be comfortable hiking 7 miles a day, being on your feet for up to 5 hours a day, and making long descents that can be hard on the knees. Trail conditions, weather, and the group's level of fitness can affect hiking times and pacing. Please note that there are long drive times throughout this trip, often 2.5-3 hours in a day.
Average Hiking Day
Review Trip Level Details
Average Hiking Day
- 4 miles
- 2-3 hours
- 800-1,000 feet gain/loss
- Day 9 – 7 miles, 5 hours, 1,300 feet gain, and 4,500 feet loss
Our hikes are varied, from light, countryside walking to mountainous and rugged terrain. The hikes in the Madonie Mountains and on Mount Etna can be very challenging, and Mount Etna can have sharp rocks, loose scree, and soft ash. For Mount Etna, we will take a cable car to 9,500 feet and hike to the summit, depending on weather and volcanic activity, which is at 11,000 feet. Please note that the hiking can feel more demanding at times because the weather can occasionally be very hot, even in the Spring and Fall.
We strongly urge you to train for your trip, as your enjoyment will be highly dependent on your level of fitness. The best training for a hike is to hike, especially over hills or rough terrain. Next best are running, swimming, bicycling, or other cardiovascular exercise. Stair climbing machines are excellent preparation for hiking uphill. Your feet should also be well prepared-make sure your hiking boots are sturdy, comfortable, and thoroughly broken-in.
Altitude is generally not a problem on this trip, as it is only one day (Day 9) that we reach high elevation for a day hike before returning to sea level.
The weather in Sicily in late spring and early fall is usually very pleasant, with temperatures in the 70s°F and 80s°F during the day and in the 60s°F at night. Cool breezes and showers can occur at any time, especially on October departures. It can get very cold on Mt. Etna—there’s even a possibility of encountering snow on the trails in April.
We spend our nights in small, picturesque inns, full of Italian charm and ambiance. All hotels are chosen for their history and central location. Since they are often in historic buildings, the rooms are not always of uniform or international size. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.
Sicily's glorious food (think catch-of-the-day fish, couscous, pasta, vegetables, and indulgent desserts) is among the delights of this trip. Our lunches will be at agriturismos or picnic-style during one of our hikes. Dinners are at local restaurants. 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 many restaurants in Sicily don't open until 7:30 pm, so the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm at the earliest.
Please note that there are long drive times on this trip, often 2.5-3 hours per day. Our van will transport the group's luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack for items you need during the day (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or remain at the hotel if we are not transferring that day). Most hikes end at lunchtime, but if we are continuing on, you can opt to skip the afternoon hike and travel in the support vehicle.
Client Testimonials
"It was magical—the beauty of Sicily and hiking through the countryside."
Barbara Q.
Oakdale, NY
"Terrific itinerary. Nice mix of history, sights, and hiking. Great towns, woonderful restaurants, and great hotels, each getting better and better as the trip went on. Wonderful!"
Barry R.
Highland Park, IL
"This was a wonderful trip. The places visited were terrific, and the leaders, in particular, made everything worthwhile by their knowledge of the place, their flexibility, and their great sense of humor."
Bettina R.
Santa Clara, CA
"This was a fantastic trip for both of us. We loved the blend of experiences that could only be possible on a WT trip, such as sit-down meals, picnics, a walk followed by a superb lunch at a winery, tour and dinner with a baron in Siracuse, wading in the sea, touring ancient sites. Each trip we have been on with Wilderness Travel has exceeded our expectations. This trip stands out even more so."
Bob and Shirley B.
Ennis, MT
"We really enjoyed Sicily—the scenery, food, hikes, and guides were top notch."
Carol L.
Kalispell, MT
"The guides were constantly aware of and offered extra cultural and nature opportunities. The hotels were charming and representative of the towns we visited. Food was excellent, represented the local specialities, and menus varied with lots of opportunities for individual choices and close attention paid to client special needs. The picnics were fantastic!"
Carol M.
Lafayette, CA
"I am recommending this trip to friends for next October—I'll tell them to reserve early because I am sure word of mouth will result in an early sell-out. I can't think of a thing that would improve this trip. I will never forget climbing (and descending) Mt. Etna!"
Carol W.
San Francisco, CA
"An excellent trip. We were not expecting such wonderful food and hospitality—a wonderful bonus!"
Cindy H.
Santa Rosa, CA
"The trip was an amazing introduction to the island and its culture, introducing us to a range of environments, cultural events, archaeological sites and historically significant areas throughout Sicily. The food was consistently wonderful and we sampled many lovely Sicilian wines."
Claire G.
Seattle, WA
"This was one of the best organized trips we’ve done. The leaders were very good and the group meshed well. We felt like we saw a tremendous amount of Sicily in our visit and came away with a solid understanding of the island and the multiple cultures."
Dan B.
Oakland, CA
"Everything was well orchestrated, controlled, and managed, the hotels were very good to excellent, and the meals were extremely good."
David C.
New York, NY
"We had a wonderful time. I felt I had been able to see and experience the ‘real’ Sicily."
Diane C.
Manchester, MO
"Probably the best trip I've been on! Sicily was a wonderful surprise."
Don M.
Atlanta, GA
"We really felt we saw Sicily and learned a lot about its very rich history. The local guides were excellent, the restaurants were wonderful, and Sebastiano and Francesco obviously cared deeply that we had a fun and memorable trip."
Edie L.
Dallas, TX
"Terrific throughout. Our guides were the absolute best. Bravissimi!"
Edy and Michael D.
Portland, OR
"I selected this trip to learn and experience the Sicilian culture and food. My expectations were exceeded! Excellent trip leaders and fellow travelers."
Elaine W.
Seattle, WA
"I loved the trip, and the balance of city/cultural activities with outdoor/hiking activities was exactly what I expected."
Eleanor S.
Kingstone, ON
"All lodging, food, and drink were excellent and perfectly selected for each location. I feel like I personally sampled many aspects of the complex history and rich culture of Sicily."
Eric O.
Tampa, FL
"Best trip ever! I loved the small group size with two trip leaders—it allowed for great flexibility."
Gail B.
Larchmont, NY
"We enjoyed every minute!"
Heidi M.
Brevard, NC
"A wonderful way to experience Sicily—everything from ancient Greek and Roman sites, medieval churches, and natural phenomena such as Mt. Etna to tasty fresh fish and pasta dishes accompanied by excellent Sicilian wines."
Jane S.
Albuquerque, NM
"This trip provided a wonderful sampler of Sicily and Sicilian life, past and present. Throughout our trip, the food was exceptional—the best in all of Italy!"
Johanna S.
Sunnyvale, CA
"Well designed and well run. I especially loved the hikes, and the enthusiasm of the guides was very contagious."
John R.
Baltimore, MD
"Ones world expands through travel in many ways, but I think the best medium of that expansion is new friends. Group travel opens that door so that luck can take a hand. Like your trip leaders, the group of clients you attract is exceptional in our experience. We have made some of our best friends while traveling on WT trips. and we continue to travel with them often. Thank-you is in order."
Jon R.
Hillsborough, CA
"Fantastic trip. Good itinerary, wonderful guides, generous with extras such as espressos at every stop."
Joselyn B.
Caspar, CA
"This was my first Wilderness Travel experience and I couldn't have asked for more. The guides were knowledgable, caring, and a whole lot of fun to travel with. Slovenia was breathtakingly beautiful and the variety of locations and special experiences that we had really made the trip exciting. I feel as though the trip really fed my soul."
Joyce P.
Ukiah, CA
"The beauty, archaeological history, food, and wines of Sicily were so much more than I envisioned. We were blessed with glorious views, wildflowers, picnics, dinners, historical sites of wonder. The fellow participants were almost as wonderful as the stellar guides. I loved this tour!"
Julie L.
La Mesa, CA
"I had high hopes for Sicily, though unsure how it would compare to previous Italian trips. It exceeded all expectations by far. One of my most favorite trips."
Larry E.
Chicago, IL
"Loved the design of the trip with a great mix of fantastic hikes, cultural experiences, and wonderful food. It just kept getting better and better as the trip progressed.The hikes were so varied and beautiful and we loved having some lunches at peoples' homes."
Leslie K.
Durango, CO
"What a gorgeous country, what amazing wildflowers, what fresh and varied food and wine! National parks and museums, archaeological sites and historic sites, a Greek play in a Greek amphitheater, back roads and seaside boulevards, beach towns and Roman villas, luncheons on country estates, elegant picnics at the trail’s end, dinners in romantic settings...lovely trip! We had a great overview of Sicily with lots of opportunities to see into the past and the present, the natural world and the cultural treasures, the farms and the cities. Our leaders gave us insights and introductions to people with whom we would never otherwise have made contact. They spoiled us with good food and lovely hotels, and guarded our safety and experiences to make sure we never had to worry about ANYTHING on the trip."
Lynn M.
Great Falls, VA
"This was an incredible introduction to Sicily. We covered so much of the island, the hikes were all so different, it was a perfect blend of hiking and cultural activities."
Margaret K.
San Francisco, CA
"This was an amazing trip. From diamond-in-the-rough Palermo to the jewel that is Taormina and the great variety of architecture, culture, and landscape in between, Sicily is full of surprises. The three all-Sicilian guides added enormously to the experience and deepened our understanding of this complicated culture."
Marilyn O.
Tampa, FL
"This trip was terrific, a great mix of outdoors and archaeology. The hotels were charming, the food delicious, and the sites amazing. Hiking through Sicily (and Mt. Etna!) was great!"
Marlaine L.
Princeton, NJ
"Fantastic trip! Sebastiano, Francesco, and Tania did a great job. We loved the local foods, the wines, and the people, and felt we really got to experience Sicily. And we had a very nice group of fellow travelers!"
Mary C.
Dallas, TX
"Perfectly curated hikes, excellent accommodations, wonderful range of restaurants and experiences. One of the top five trips I have ever taken. "
Nick B.
Lake Forest, IL
"This is a really fun trip with lots of good food and wine as well as some very nice hiking."
Pam M.
La Jolla, CA
"Sicily is quite an amazing destination, and we were very happy to experience it through this fine itinerary with these excellent guides."
Pam W.
Minneapolis, MN
"I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants to walk and experience Sicily in an up close and personal way. The three trip leaders made this happen."
Paul M.
Olney, MD
"The chemistry between our three guides was good, each complementing the other, making the trip fun and lighthearted. They made us feel welcomed in Italy and were eager to share their love of the island, its people, and the beauty of this ancient land."
Pierre J.
Fountain Hills, AZ
"Simply put, this was the best trip ever. The deliberate balance of exercise, education, and culinary extravaganzas made each day a feast for the eyes, minds, and bodies."
Sandy C.
Haverford, PA
"Everything about this trip was exemplary. The itinerary included important, well known, and lesser known sites, all highly enjoyable, located around the entire island of Sicily. I felt I got to experience so many interesting and truly fascinating aspects of Sicilian life and culture. The food choices were astonishing: fresh, delicious, and wide ranging, from really special local restaurants to cafes, hotels, and agriturismos. The hotels/accommodations were all lovely, clean, and well run. This was a fantastically fun trip!"
Sharon H.
Santa Monica, CA
"What makes this trip so special is the expertise of guides who know Sicily so well and who have made connections with so many local people that elevated this trip. This to me is what makes Wilderness Travel stand out from other companies."
Sue M.
San Antonio, TX
"A wonderful trip with interesting, capable, and kind leaders. We had a great time!"
Susan W.
Portland, OR
"I cannot say enough how wonderful in every way this trip experience was! And our leaders were the icing on the cake! They both were on top of every aspect, looking after every detail and also anticipating what might be needed."
Terri L.
Westminster, CO
"The absolute key to the success of the trip was the leaders, Sebastiano, Lisa, and Tania. They were just superb in every way. We were briefed on the next day's itinerary every evening during the excellent dinners and they were thoroughly professional, knowledgable, and accommodating."
Tom G.
Los Altos, CA
"I must say this was the best vacation that I have ever experienced."
Tray B.
Chadds Ford, PA
"We had a wonderful time. Sicily was fantastic and our enjoyment was enhanced by our three guides."
Walter and Anneliese B.
Toronto, Ontario
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.