Sicily is one of the Mediterranean's most dramatic and varied walking destinations. From the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, and the ancient ruins of Selinunte and Pantalica to the turquoise coastlines of the Egadi Islands and the still-smoking summit of Stromboli in the Aeolian archipelago, no other Italian island packs such extraordinary diversity into a single walking destination.

Pocket-sized and packed with detail, this third edition Cicerone guidebook by Gillian Price covers 46 graded walks across Sicily and its offshore islands, from 2 to 23km (1 to 14 miles), suited to beginner and experienced walkers alike. Clear route descriptions are accompanied by sketch maps, with practical information on accommodation, food and drink, and travelling around the island throughout.

• 46 day walks spanning Sicily's most diverse landscapes, from the northeast coast and the Alcantara River Valley to the Madonie and Nebrodi mountains, the Monti Iblei, Palermo surrounds and the west
• Mount Etna routes are described, including the North-South Traverse, crater circuits, and lava field walks on Europe's largest active volcano, one of the most iconic and unforgettable walking experiences in Italy
• Ancient ruins and archaeological sites feature throughout, including the Greek temples of Selinunte, the prehistoric necropolis of Pantalica, the medieval hilltop town of Erice and the Byzantine churches of the southeast
• The Aeolian Islands are covered in full, with walks on Vulcano's Gran Cratere, the spa trails of Lipari, Salina's Monte Fossa delle Felci and the famous ascent to the active crater of Stromboli
• Routes start from key bases across the island, including Catania, Messina and Taormina in the northeast, Palermo in the northwest and Agrigento in the south, making it straightforward to plan walks from wherever you are staying

Gillian Price, one of Cicerone's most prolific and trusted Italy authors, brings her characteristic clarity and enthusiasm to every route in this guidebook. Sicily walking is unlike anything else in the Mediterranean; this is the guidebook that does it justice.

Walking in Sicily - Quick Facts

Area: Sicily and offshore islands, southern Italy 
Total walks: 46 
Walk distances: 2 to 23km (1 to 14 miles) 
Walk duration: Most walks are 3 to 4 hours; some short strolls and longer mountain traverses 
Difficulty: All abilities, from easy strolls to more arduous mountain routes 
Areas covered: Northeast coast, Alcantara River Valley, Mount Etna, Monti Iblei and southeast, Antiquities of the west, Egadi Islands, northwest Sicily, Palermo surrounds, Madonie Mountains, Nebrodi Mountains, Aeolian Islands 
Walks highlights: Mount Etna North-South Traverse, Stromboli crater ascent, Vulcano Gran Cratere, Marettimo coastal path, Pantalica necropolis, Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro, Erice, Selinunte 
Islands covered: Egadi Islands (Marettimo, Levanzo, Favignana), Aeolian Islands (Stromboli, Vulcano, Lipari, Salina) 
Key bases: Catania, Messina, Taormina, Palermo, Agrigento 
Cultural highlights: Greek temples at Selinunte, prehistoric necropolis at Pantalica, medieval Erice, Byzantine churches, and ancient ruins throughout 
Mapping: Sketch maps included for each walk 
Digital navigation: GPX files available to download 
Best time to visit: March to June; early autumn pleasant; summer very hot for walking except at altitude 
Special features: Italian-English glossary; pocket-sized format 

Author Highlight

“Generally speaking, Sicily’s landscapes are predominantly mountainous. First and foremost is a completely separate elevation, Mount Etna, unrivalled in dominance. Europe’s highest active  volcano at 3300m above sea level, this unique attraction has an unmistakable dark cone shape and is recognisable from afar by its trademark plume of smoke, a belching chimney when an eruption is in progress.”

- Gillian Price, author of Walking in Sicily 

Map key
Overview map

Introduction

Background
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 

WALKS

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 Cofan
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 A Italian–English Glossary
Appendix B Further Reading

Seasons

March to June is best; summers are very hot for walking; early Autumn is pleasant but late Autumn is the wettest time of the year

Centres

Access via Palermo, Naples and and other airports; most main towns would be good bases- Messina, Taormina, Catania

Difficulty

some of the walking may be arduous (Etna); routes of varying difficulty between half and full days

Must See

Mount Etna (though it may be closed to walkers); the Isola Egadi; Hellenic, Roman and Byzantine remains; and the wonderful food

August 2022

Walks 45 and 46 on Stromboli

August 2022

Walk 41

August 2018

Route Updates

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