The Great Volcanic E-bike Tour

Level of difficulty:
Duration:
5 days
Starting from
€1100
Guided
‐
€900
Self-guided
Information and bookings

Our first mountain bike tour exclusively designed for e-bikes. An epic three days ride with e-bikes from the Sea to the top of Mount Etna. A unique adventure to climb the highest active volcano in Europe from the sea level.

Guided
Bike tour with our qualified ITA/ENG guides, to get the best of your mountain bike experience. Costs are per person based on a minimum of 4 people per group, in two double rooms when included.
Self-guided
Independent, free to take your time and enjoy the bike experience at a pace that suits you. Follow an accurate GPS track to discover the delights of your bike ride. Costs are per person based on a minimum of 4 people per group, in two double rooms when included.
Gallery
Description

First day  •  Arrival

Arrival at the airport and transfer to the Agriturismo by the Ionian Sea. Dinner and overnight stay.

Second day  •  From the sea to the Alcantara Valley
45 km with 900 metres of uphill ascent

We start our epic climb to the Volcano from the San Marco beach, and following uphill the Alcantara river, we will head to the famous gorges.

The route, characterised by trails, away from traffic and ancient “trazzere” or country roads, will make us discover suggestive corners. In gradual ascent, we will go to the discovery of ancients Sicilian Masserie o farmhouses, Norman bridges and above all the Alcantara Valley natural reserve.

After a quick visit to the Gorges, we head then uphill for Castiglione di Sicilia where we will make a short visit to beautiful Castello Lauria, on top of the village, where we will have a magnificent view of the whole Alcantara Valley.

After Castiglione, we will go down again to the river to pay a visit to the Cuba Bizantina, an ancient Byzantine chapel of the 7th century, before arriving at the Agriturismo where we will stop for dinner and overnight stay.

Third day  •  Alcantara Valley – Mount Etna
42 km with 1.400 metres of uphill ascent

We leave the Alcantara Valley heading to the slopes of Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in June 2013.

Leaving the agriturismo we ride along an ancient Roman road, known today as the ‘wine road’ due to the many wineries in the area, before entering the reserved area of Mount Etna Park, for an unforgettable experience on our mountain bikes.

We’ll cross old lava fields which give you an idea of the destructive force of the volcano. Volcanic ash characterizes the landscape, while the mountain track surface and old lava flows will put both riders and their bikes to the test. We’ll be able to admire and ride over more recent lava flows, coming into close contact with “Mungibeddu” (Etna’s nickname in Sicilian) and its rich wild flora and fauna.

We will ride through the oldest and most splendid pine tree woods on Etna before finishing at a cosy mountain chalet where we will stop for dinner and overnight stay.

Fourth day  •  To the top of Mount Etna
45 km with 1.450 metres of uphill ascent

On this day we start our final climb to the top of the highest active volcano in Europe. Starting from the wooden chalet in the Ragabo pine forest, we start our climb on the asphalt road that leads to Piano Provenzana.

We will then take an off-road track, with the characteristic volcanic soil of sand and rock, through a unique territory for an unforgettable experience on your mountain bike.

As we go up the vegetation start to disappear and it will feel like you are definitely riding on the Moon. We will go across old and recent lava fields, pass by the 2002 eruption craters, and reach the volcanological observatory

Mount Etna is a living mountain that breathes. Often you find yourself pedalling and hearing in the background the powerful “voice” of the volcano that accompanies cyclists towards the arrival at altitude.

After a break to admire the stunning view from 3.000 metres asl, we start our descent towards the small village of Milo, where our epic tour ends with a delicious Sicilian dinner, a couple of glasses of local red wine, and a comfortable overnight stay.

Fifth day  •  Departure

Transfer to Catania airport.

Extra Info

Season: from March to November

Included:

  • 3 E-MTB excursions
  • Qualified MTB guide (Italian and English)*
  • GPS device with GPS track to follow **
  • 4 nights in 2/3 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

Map
Ionian Sea -> Alcantara Valley
Alcantara Valley -> Mount Etna
Mount Etna Top