Cycle path of sicilian parks – Expert

The first stage begins from Giardini Naxos and covers a total length of about 75 km, leading to Randazzo. Starting from the railway station of Giardini Naxos, after about 20 km, the first village encountered along the route will be Francavilla di Sicilia, home to important cultural sites such as the Antiquarium and the Convent of the Capuchin Friars, and one of the access points to the Gurne dell’Alcantara.

After an equal distance, you will reach Castiglione di Sicilia, designated as one of the “most beautiful villages in Italy” in 2017, where you can find the Church of Santa Domenica, one of the oldest Byzantine cubes in Sicily. After about 8 km, you will arrive in Linguaglossa, a town rich in churches of high artistic and cultural value, and also known for typical culinary products such as sausage cut on the stump and prestigious wines. From here, continuing for about 35 km, you will enter the heart of Etna Park along the Altomontana Trail 701 and then complete the journey in Randazzo, where you can still experience the medieval atmosphere of the place.

Duration: about 07:00 h
Distance: about 75 km
Elevation gain: 2,020 m
Altitude difference: 1,270 m

From Randazzo begins the second stage in the heart of the Nebrodi Park that, with a total length of 60 km, leads to Cerami. After about 30 km you will reach Cesarò, a village known for its typical dairy products, and then continue towards the nearby village of San Teodoro. The route will continue along the SP 167 arriving, after about twenty km, on the shores of Lake Ancipa, you’ll finally head to Cerami.

Duration: about 05:00 h
Distance: about 60 km
Elevation gain: 1,250 m
Vertical drop: 1,070 m

From Cerami begins the third stage inside Nebrodi Park which will end after about 45 km in Mistretta. The first section, about 7 km long, will lead you along the SP 168 to Capizzi. From here the route will continue, for about 30 km, along the paths of the Park to get to the small water basin of Lake Urio Quattrocchi. The final stretch, about 10 km long, will end in Mistretta, a town with an important artistic and cultural heritage represented by churches and historic buildings.

Duration: about 04:30 h
Distance: about 50 km
Elevation gain: 1,180 m
Altitude difference: 1,300 m

The fourth stage marks the exit from Nebrodi Park and the entrance to Madonie Park, starting from Mistretta and arriving at Petralia Sottana after a journey of about 50 km. The route will wind along the mountain passes of Colle del Contrasto and Rocca Palumba. From the latter, covering about 15 km, you will arrive in Gangi, winner of “the most beautiful village in Italy” in 2014 and recognized as a Municipality “Jewel of Italy” by the presidency of the ministers in 2012, where you can immerse yourself in its medieval atmosphere still alive. The last stretch in the direction of Petralia Sottana is about 15 km long and will mark the entrance into Madonie Park. Of note is the historic village Petralia Soprana, the oldest and most historic part of the country, named the most beautiful village in Italy in 2018 for the maintenance of its medieval soul.

Duration: about 05:00 h
Distance: about 50 km
Elevation gain: 1,350 m
Altitude difference: 1,230 m

The fifth and last stage of the Cycle path of Sicilian parks starts from Petralia Sottana, and after approximately 65 km ends on the northern coast at Cefalù. The first stretch, about 15 km long, will lead you to Geraci Siculo, included among the “most beautiful villages in Italy” and called “the flowered town”. The second stretch, reachable after about 20 km, will be Castelbuono, a town with a great historical and artistic heritage, where the Ventimiglia Castle and the famous Civic Museum stand out. From here, continuing for about 30 km, you will arrive in Cefalu’, a beautiful medieval village overlooking the sea and included among the “most beautiful villages in Italy”. The main church (the Duomo) has also been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Duration: about 03:30 h
Distance: about 65 km
Elevation gain: 1,130 m
Altitude difference: 2,080 m