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The Mountains of Sicily

Uplands & peaks of the Madonie Natural Park
 
Follow rewarding routes and stay in authentic Sicilian accommodation on a self-guided, hotel-to-hotel walking holiday in the Madonie Natural Park. While your luggage is transported for you, discover hill-top towns, ancient forests of giant trees and enthralling views of Mount Etna on this inspirational journey.
The Mountains of Sicily. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
The Mountains of Sicily. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday in Sicily’s mountains

Find remote and untamed tranquillity, the authentic face of rural Sicily, and some truly remarkable landscapes, as you journey on foot through the mountains of the Madonie Natural Park.  

Traversing a dramatic landscape of ancient Mediterranean forest, flower-filled uplands and craggy limestone peaks, you explore extraordinary hill-top settlements where impossibly narrow streets lined by tall, narrow houses, jostle for space around the summit. Travelling onwards to enter the heart of the park, looming limestone pinnacles contrast sharply with richly forested slopes where giant, 300-year-old holly trees weave their primeval branches into a dense canopy, and high plateaus bestow spellbinding views over the sparkling waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea; of Mount Etna on the eastern horizon and, on a clear day, to the Aeolian Islands.
Featuring delightful, traditional accommodation where you can enjoy fresh, local produce in recipes handed down through generations, your routes become more challenging as you traverse from foothills to the nucleus of the mountains. Reaching a crescendo, the final, breathtaking walk to Castelbuono rewards your arrival with the relaxed charm, orchards and panoramic pool of Agriturismo Bergi, and the opportunity to end your journey through the mountains, at Cefalù on the glittering Tyrrhenian coast.
 

Book with confidence

What we’re doing so you can book and travel with confidence >
Our flexible booking policies >
Check the destination entry requirements >
 
Gallery
 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 9 9 12 16 22 27 30 30 25 20 14 10
    mm 67 50 57 55 26 19 10 16 51 63 61 70
  • Arrival in Gangi
    Night 1: at Villa Rainò (the first of two nights here)
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
  • Circular walk from Gangi: 10km, 4hrs; ascent 360m/descent 700m
    A short transfer takes you to a quiet lane where you begin your walk back towards Gangi. Views of this extraordinary hill town mesmerise as you head towards the dense mass of stone-faced houses crowded around the summit. After leisurely exploring its fascinating medieval centro storico (centre), your eyes constantly drawn to the view of Mount Etna dominating its eastern horizon, and perhaps enjoying lunch, you descend into the valley north of the town and back to your accommodation.
    Walking towards Gangi
    Circular walk from Gangi: 10km
  • Gangi to Geraci Siculo: 11.5km, 5hrs; ascent 750m/descent 335m
    Setting out from the door of your hotel, you cross open rolling farmland before joining quiet paths through a wooded valley. Ascending to the perched medieval town of Geraci Siculo on the edge of the Madonie Natural Park, you stay for one night in the delightful Notti O’Tunn. You arrive in plenty of time to explore the labyrinthine alleys, plethora of richly decorated churches and the glass balcony viewpoint of Salto dei Ventimiglia which juts out over the precipice at the point where, in 1337, the Count of Geraci threw himself and his horse into the abyss to evade capture.
    Exploring hill-top Geraci Siculo
    Gangi to Geraci Siculo: 11.5km
  • Geraci Siculo to Petralia Sottana: 15km, 6hrs; ascent 485m/descent 555m
    Today’s epic route takes you into the heart of the Madonie Natural Park. Ascending gradually west across remote pastoral uplands, you reach Portella Mandarini, gateway to the central Madonie, which is set amid limestone mountains and forested slopes. From Portella your path turns south and descends slowly all the way to Petralia Sottana and the Albergo II Castello where you stay for two nights.
    Geraci Siculo to Petralia Sottana
    Geraci Siculo to Petralia Sottana: 15km
  • Choice of routes from Petralia Sottana: 8km or 14km

    Circular walk via Pizzo di Covo: 14km, 6hrs; ascent / descent 695m
    This demanding walk ascends the flanks of Pizzo di Covo, the tracks becoming less distinct as you gain height, to reach a high plateau where your efforts are recompensed with panoramic views as far as Etna in the east. The return to Petralia Sottana is initially steep but soon becomes a long gentle descent on wider, easier tracks.

    Circular walk via Petralia Soprana: 8km, 3hrs; ascent / descent 305m
    As well as exploring the lower slopes of the Madonie Park, following scenic lanes across open countryside with views of the mountains, this easy walk gives you the opportunity to explore historic Petralia Sottana and its sister town of Petralia Soprana, with its striking church. Both have a maze of narrow streets with tiny shops and pretty piazzas.
    Around Petralia Soprana
    Circular walk via Pizzo di Covo: 14km
    Circular walk via Petralia Soprana: 8km
  • Petralia (Pomieri) to Castelbuono: 16km, 6hrs; ascent 420m/descent 1375m
    This standout route is the most demanding of the holiday, with a long descent, but your efforts are richly rewarded. After a short transfer back into the central Madonie, you begin by traversing a wide, limestone valley surrounded by some of the park’s highest peaks as you progress towards the green pastures of Piano Pomo. Here, a forest of 300-year-old giant holly trees creates a natural cathedral, their branches reaching to 20 metres in height and intertwining to form a dense canopy. Beyond this enchanted forest, you walk beneath enormous chestnut and oak trees before leaving the tranquil idyll of the central park, descending inexorably all the way to Castelbuono for some well-deserved refreshment before the short transfer to Agriturismo Bergi on the outskirts of town.
    Petralia (Pomieri) towards Castelbuono
    Petralia (Pomieri) to Castelbuono: 16km
  • Choice of routes from Castelbuono: 7-11km

    Day in Castelbuono or Cefalù
    With the Madonie Natural Park now behind you, you may choose to spend the day simply relaxing by the panoramic swimming pool and meandering through the gardens and orchards of Agriturismo Bergi, dragging yourself away just long enough to walk the 4km to Castelbuono’s castle and then visit the village’s renowned cake shops and perhaps enjoy lunch. (You return by the same route, making a total of 8km.)

    On the other hand, making the effort to catch a bus or taxi into Cefalù on the coast, provides a special finale and elevates your journey into ‘mountain to sea’. Using our notes for a 7km town trail, explore Cefalù’s historic streets, ascend to the ruined 13th-century castle of the Rocca for panoramic views back over the town, and stroll along the seafront, but also leave time to enjoy its expanse of sandy beach.

    Castelbuono to Isnello:  11km, 5hrs; ascent 540m/descent 340m
    Wander down to Castelbuono, then follow an easy-going route west across the hills, to reach the quaint village of Isnello. Follow some traffic-free lanes, before enjoying a tasty lunch and stroll around this characteristic village return by bus.
    Visit Cefalù on the coast
    Castelbuono
    Castelbuono to Isnello: 11km
 

Accommodation

The accommodation on this holiday is as varied and appealing as the monumental landscapes that surround it.
 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
Currency converter

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  • 7 nights: 01 May 2022 - 30 June 2022 & 22 August 2022 - 31 October 2022

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 May - 23 Jun 2022 £830 £150
    22 Aug - 24 Oct 2022 £830 £150
    3rd & 4th person discount -£70
    Single traveller supplement £70

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Albergo Il Castello, Petralia Sottana (with dinner) Double room Single room
    01 May - 30 Jun 2022 £78 £100
    22 Aug - 31 Oct 2022 £78 £100
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Catania or Palermo
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  you may need to fly via an airport not listed here. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Catania (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM,  KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Catania easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Catania easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Palermo easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Catania British Airways,  easyJet 
    Gatwick - Palermo easyJet,  Wizz Air 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Catania British Airways 
    Heathrow - Palermo British Airways 
    Heathrow - Palermo (via Rome Fiumicino) Alitalia 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Catania easyJet 
    Luton - Palermo easyJet,  Wizz Air 
    Outward route Airline
    London Southend - Catania Air Malta 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Palermo Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Catania easyJet 
    Manchester - Catania (via Munich) Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Palermo Ryanair 
    Manchester - Palermo (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  you may need to fly via an airport not listed here. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above except those operated by Ryanair. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Catania

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    bus Catania airport to Nicosia (1h30, pay locally), transfer Nicosia to hotel (0h30) £28 1700
    direct taxi Catania airport to hotel (2h) £76 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    direct taxi hotel to Catania airport (2h30) £115 flexible

    Connecting travel options - flying via Palermo

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    bus Palermo centre to Gangi (2h20, pay locally), transfer Gangi to hotel (0h10) £6 1630 (1500 Sun)
    direct taxi Palermo airport to hotel (2h) £88 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    direct taxi hotel to Palermo airport (1h45) £72 flexible
    taxi hotel to Cefalu (1h), rail Cefalu to Palermo Centrale (1h) £37 1230
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 7 dinners
    3 picnics
    7 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • transfers on Days 1 & 5
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 4 reviews
  • Anon
    14 May 2022

    It was well worth waiting two years for this trip to Sicily. We were lucky that the weather was perfect and the wild flowers at their peak. The walks were interesting and just the right length. The instructions were good and we had downloaded the map onto a gps which i think is essential. Lovely, welcoming hotels and plenty of good italian food. We particulary enjoyed our evenng at Yerex who had opened specially for us. All in all a wonderful stress free holiday. Thank you.

  • Carole
    11 May 2022

    If you follow a sustainable / vegan diet, maybe contact the hotel beforehand and be sure someone in authority understands your dietary preferences.

    Inntravel
    response

    We do pass on all dietary requirements to our hoteliers, so we're very sorry you experienced difficulties.

  • Anon
    09 May 2022

    Wonderful walk through spectacular countryside views and flora in May. The hilltop towns exceeded expectations and were lovely places to stay and wander in the evenings. The walking notes were exemplary and very easy to follow.

  • Anon Colorado
    02 May 2022

    Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our two trips. The weather was pleasing and it appeared our time there in early to mid-May was a little before the busy season, which we actually like.

     

    INNTRAVEL NOTES: These customers combined our Wonders of Western Sicily and The Mountains of Sicily walking itineraries.
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • If your holiday plans go awry because of Coronavirus, rest assured that we’ll do right by you. Since the start of the pandemic, our flexible booking policy and prompt issuing of refunds to customers who prefer not to defer their holiday have earned us high praise in the national press.
  • We sincerely hope that your holiday experience will be as enjoyable as it would have been before the pandemic – walking holidays are ideal in these times of social distancing, and we’re not operating holidays if the key highlights can no longer be delivered – but, naturally, there will be some changes to ensure your and other people’s safety, not least proving your vaccination status or taking a test in order to travel.
    Your holiday experience: what to expect >
    Safety measures being taken by hoteliers & others >
    Entry requirements for non-UK destinations & for re-entering the UK >
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from A to B, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. If/when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation, meaning that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our walking holidays in Europe page.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines (but not, currently, with Ryanair). As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • Absolutely! We are experts in tailored rail travel. Making use of sleeper trains or stopovers in cities along the route, we can get you from London to virtually anywhere in mainland Europe. We can even make arrangements to Mallorca, Sicily and Norway with a combination of ferries and rail. Please contact Abi and Lizzie to discuss your plans.
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

    You don’t have to take out a policy with our recommended provider (if you live outside the UK you’ll definitely need to make your own arrangements, as the policy is only for UK residents), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    We'll ask you for the details of your policy (insurer, policy number and medical emergency phone number) so that we can help out if the worst happens while you are on holiday. It's up to you, though, to check that your policy covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs; we don't check alternative policies.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Italy, but not a visa. If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The principal official language is Italian, though some regions have a second official language, such as South Tyrol, where German is widely spoken. The currency is the Euro. Italian time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.

    At Inntravel we work in close partnership with our hoteliers, taxi drivers and other local suppliers to provide our self-guided holidays directly to you. We are entirely confident that you will continue to receive the usual warm welcome from them, regardless of what is happening in the European political sphere.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
Last fetch time is : 6/26/2022 7:06:07 PM