Mount Etna and the Alcantara Valley e-bike tour
You will love this e-bike tour from Mount Etna to the Alcantara Valley, cycling in two totally different but equally beautiful natural environments, namely Etna Park and the Alcantara Park. This is a short e-bike tour – only 100 km in total – suitable for all cyclists. It is ideal for a weekend trip or a short break from work in the open air with stunning landscape each day. The tour includes overnight stays in very comfortable 3 and 4-star accommodations, some with a spa and swimming pool, and delicious, traditional Sicilian cuisine.
On request there is also the possibility of adding a third day of cycling to visit Taormina on the Ionian coast, also known as ‘the pearl of the Mediterranean’.
First day • Arrival
Arrival at the airport or pick up from Catania and transfer to hotel on Mount Etna. Dinner and overnight stay.
Second day • E-bike in Etna Park
54 km with 870 metres of uphill ascent
We begin exploring Etna Park directly from our hotel, with its vast old lava fields alternating with dense oak, beech and pine forests. During the ride we stop to admire the various unique aspects of this incredible volcano, such as lava flow caves and extinct craters. We cross many lava flows, both ancient and recent, which give us an idea of the volcano’s destructive power while also admiring the sweeping views of both inland Sicily and the Ionian coast. We descend the mountain towards the town of Linguaglossa, where we stop for an overnight stay and dinner.
Third day • The Alcantara Valley
46 km with 600 metres of uphill ascent
We leave the hotel on our bikes and head towards the Alcanta Valley, riding on an old railway line converted into a cycle path. We descend into the valley towards the Alcantara river, stopping along the way to visit ancient monuments and some of the natural features created by the river, including little lakes and waterfalls. We also pass through the small, medieval village of Castiglione di Sicilia before heading to the famous Alcantara Gorges for a short visit and possibly a refreshing swim. Today’s arrival will be at a charming agriturismo (farmhouse) overlooking the valley for a well-deserved, delicious dinner and overnight stay.
Fourth day • Departure
Transfer from the agriturismo to Catania airport or city centre.
Season: from March to November
Included:
- 2 E-MTB excursions
- Qualified MTB guide (Italian and English)*
- GPS device with GPS tracks to follow **
- 3 nights in 3/4 star Hotel/Agriturismo. Half board accommodation, including water and house wine. Other beverages not included
- Luggage transfer from one accommodation to another
- Van support
- E-MTB rental (professional bikes with disk brakes, tubeless wheelset, air suspension fork, Yamaha motor, Shimano groupset etc.)
- Transfer from/to Catania airport and hotels in the surrounding area
Not included:
- Flights and public transportation
- Travel insurance
- Expenses of personal nature such as drinks, phone calls, etc.
- Any items that have not been mentioned in the price inclusions above
What to wear and bring with you:
- A small backpack/rucksack for your personal items (you can leave this in the van if you don’t want to take it with you during the excursion)
- Comfortable clothes suitable for biking
- A change of clothes in case it rains
- Closed shoes e.g. trainers or biking shoes (no flip-flops or sandals!)
- Sunglasses & sun cream
- A camera or smartphone if you want to take pictures
- A spirit of fun and adventure!
* For guided tours
** For self-guided tours
