This guidebook includes 46 walks throughout Sicily and the adjoining Aeolian and Egadi Islands. Sicily’s stunning range of scenery, combined with its Mediterranean climate, good transport and age-old pathways make it the ideal walking destination. This guidebook leads walkers along river valleys, past ancient ruins and up to volcanoes and mountain peaks. The walking includes Mount Etna, the Madonie and Nebrodi mountains and the Egadi and Aeolian islands.
Cicerone Guides: Walking in Sicily combines detailed route description and mapping with fascinating insight into the history and geology of Sicily and the many points of interest along the way. Whether the active volcanic rumblings of Stromboli, or elaborate coastal forts, to prehistoric cave paintings; Sicily is home to some of Europe's greatest natural and historical wonders.
There are both short and long distance routes that range from 3 to 23 km in length so there is a route to suit all abilities. The routes vary considerably due to the terrain covered in each walk and are graded from 1 to 3. Grade 1 refers to an easy stroll that is suitable for all, Grade 2 is a little strenuous with reasonable distances and/or climbs and drops involved which require a basic level of fitness and Grade 3 is akin to an alpine trek. The latter may involve occasional problems with orientation as well as exposed or particularly arduous stretches so some experience and extra care is recommended along with suitable equipment.
Introduction
Background
Walking and Maps
Parks, Reserves and Protected Areas
When to Go
What to Take
Emergencies
Reaching Sicily
Travelling Around Sicily
Accommodation
Telephones
Food and Drink
Tourist Information
Flowers and Trees
Wildlife
The Northeast Coast
1 Taormina and the Castello Saraceno
2 Castelmola
The Alcantara River Valley
3 Monte Mojo
4 Francavilla and the River
Monte Etna
5 The Craters of Monte Silvestri
6 Monte Nero degli Zappini Loop
7 Schiena dell’Asino
8 The Monti Sartorio Circuit
9 Monte Nero Circuit and Grotta dei Lamponi
10 Monte Etna: The North–South Traverse
Monti Iblei and the Southeast Corner
11 Wondrous Pantalica and its Necropolises
12 The Pantalica River Walk
13 Cava Grande del Cassibile
14 Noto Antica
15 Riserva Naturale di Vendicari
16 Isola delle Correnti
17 Cava d’Ispica
Antiquities in the West
18 The White Cliffs of Eraclea Minoa
19 The Stones of Selinunte
20 Mozia and its Lagoon
Le Isole Egadi (Egadi Islands)
21 Favignana by Bicycle
22 Levanzo and its Cave Paintings
23 Marettimo’s Coastal Path
24 Marettimo’s High Level Circuit
The Glorious Northwest
25 Marvellous Medieval Erice
26 Riserva Naturale di Monte Cofano
27 Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro
Palermo Surrounds
28 Palermo’s Monte Pellegrino
29 Monte Iato
30 Piana degli Albanesi
31 Bosco della Ficuzza
32 Rocca Busambra
Le Madonie (Madonie Mountains)
33 Cefalù and its Rocca
34 Isnello to Gratteri
35 Pizzo Carbonara
36 Piano Cervi
37 Vallone Madonna degli Angeli
38 Piano Sempria Sentiero Natura
I Nebrodi (Nebrodi Mountains)
39 Biviere di Cesarò
40 Floresta to Randazzo
Le Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands)
41 Vulcano’s Gran Cratere
42 Lipari’s Castello and Southern Headlands
43 Lipari’s San Calogero Spa
44 Salina’s Monte Fossa delle Felci
45 Stromboli – Ascent to the Volcano
46 Stromboli Loop
Appendix I: Italian–English Glossary
Appendix II: Further Reading
Gillian Price has trekked throughout Asia and the Himalayas, but now lives in Venice and is exploring the mountain ranges of Italy to write a series of outstanding Cicerone guides. Starting in the Italian Dolomites, Gillian has written guides to walking all over Italy as well as Corsica, and is an active member of the Italian Alpine Club and the Outdoor Writers' Guild. She also enjoys leading walking tours.