Volcanoes, forests and sea – Parchi della Sicilia cycling route by MTB
Mountain Biking Collection by Sicilia
6
days
2-6 h
/ day
297 km
7,330 m
9,220 m
The Parchi della Sicilia cycling route offers a complete immersion in Sicily's most important natural areas. It’s a unique opportunity to explore landscapes of rare beauty and rich biodiversity by mountain bike.
From the highest active volcano in Europe to the white cliffs of the Mediterranean, you’ll cross the four parks of the region: Parco dell’Etna, Parco dell’Alcantara, Parco dei Nebrodi, and finally Parco delle Madonie. The variety of landscapes – from river gorges to volcanic slopes, and wooded expanses to mountain peaks – joins forces with Sicily’s gastronomic flair and cultural treasures of each area make the Ciclovia Parchi della Sicilia an unforgettable experience.
Few start points are as dramatic as the base of Monte Etna, near the Piazzale Rifugio Speranza. You’ll end by the blue Tyrrhenian Sea, at the splendid seaside town of Cefalù. The start can be reached by bus from Catania station, while you can take a regional train to return to Palermo from Cefalù.
The island’s mild climate allows you to tackle the route in any season. However, in winter we recommend checking the snow conditions in the Parco dell’Etna area before setting out. The stages are designed to each end at settlements where you’ll find food, accommodation and amenities. It’s worth carefully considering food and water resupplies throughout the route.
Prepare your mountain bike and set off on this journey to experience the wonders of Sicily.
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Last updated: May 22, 2025
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Activities
04:28
58.5km
13.1km/h
780m
2,350m
IntermediateIntermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
Set off on this extraordinary journey right at the foot of the highest active volcano in Europe, Etna, near the Rifugio Sapienza square, which you can reach by bus from Catania. Stock up on water and food before setting off, because for the next 45 kilometers, you will be pedaling in complete immersion…
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Sicilia
03:57
34.8km
8.8km/h
1,360m
420m
ExpertExpert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.In this second stage, start from Francavilla di Sicilia, in the heart of the Alcantara Park, where we recommend stocking up on water and food for the day. Leave Francavilla and cycle on asphalt along the state road 118 for about ten kilometers until you reach a narrow mountain road.
Climb up, first through…
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06:00
63.4km
10.6km/h
1,510m
1,700m
ExpertExpert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.The main protagonist of this stage is the Nebrodi Park, which you cross in its entirety along a challenging but very beautiful route. Given the nature of the route, we recommend that you stock up on water and food before leaving Floresta.
After saying goodbye to the village of Floresta, you immediately…
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04:46
61.8km
13.0km/h
1,410m
1,540m
ExpertExpert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.The fourth stage marks the passage from the Nebrodi Park to the Madonie Park, starting from Capizzi and ending in Gangi. Stock up on water and food before leaving the town, so you have what you need to face the day.
After leaving Capizzi, in fact, you go back up the ridge of the Nebrodi Park and immerse…
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04:39
40.6km
8.7km/h
1,770m
1,130m
ExpertExpert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.The fifth stage of the Ciclovia dei Parchi della Sicilia in MTB starts in Gangi and ends at the Rifugio Marini. This stage is mainly uphill and offers an exciting challenge taking you to the highest altitudes of the Madonie Park.
The first part of the itinerary takes you to the historic villages of Petralia…
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02:31
37.5km
14.9km/h
510m
2,090m
ExpertExpert mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.This is the sixth and final stage of the Ciclovia dei Parchi della Sicilia, starting from Rifugio Marini and ending at the sea, on the northern coast, in Cefalù. You pedal mainly downhill, leaving the mountains to head towards the blue waters of the Mediterranean.
The first short stretch of the route…
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Collection Stats
- Activities6
- Distance297 km
- Duration26:20 h
- Elevation7,330 m9,220 m
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