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Enchanting Sicily
Trapani-Erice-Monte Cofano-Marettimo-Marsala-Scopello-Zingaro Park
SICILY all the ingredients for a successful walking holiday: blue sea, endless beaches, unexpected nature, delicious fresh fish dishes and cakes, excellent wines and lots of culture.
This walking tour starts in Trapani, situated on Sicily’s northeastern coastline, is built on the sea and at the foot of Mount Erice. The city has a rich history and fascinating culture, with a very beautiful and interesting Baroque historic center. The many civilizations that have dominated the city and the different architectural styles through the centuries have all left their mark in the historic center of the city.
From Trapani you visit the medieval city of Erice, situated on a 750 meters high mountain, from which you will see the beautiful Salt pans of the area and the town of Trapani. Erice has two Castles, one from the period of the Saracens and one from the domination of the Normans. Trapani is also an excellent base to make a tour on Monte Cofano. The walking route is fantastic, a mix of coastal paths and mountain trails.
From Trapani parting the boats for the Aegadi Islands. These you will reach the fabulous Aegadi Islands and Marettimo, the most mountainous of the three islands, a paradise for walkers: paths, walking trails on the cliffs that wind between fragrant brooms and purple cistus, Saracen fortresses, Roman villas and Coral Sea caves. Scopello is a charming fishermen’s village where once was a big tunary. You can visit the museum in the Natural reserve, where the history of the tunary is told. At the end, you will do a magnificent walk through the Zingaro Natural reserves, with lovely coves and a coastal walking trail from which you will admire beautiful sea views.
The daily program of the 8-day tour
Your tour starts in Trapani, a town rich in history and culture, with an enchanting Baroque centre. Trapani has an interesting history, it was founded by the Elymians: it was the port for the nearby city of Eryx (Erice nowadays) which stands on Mount Erice, not far away. The town centre has a vibrant night live with many restaurants, gelaterie and bars.
Overnight with breakfast in Trapani
Today you will have a transfer from the hotel to the starting point of your walk to the lovely medieval town of Erice. Once in town, you can admire the church, remains of the castles and stroll along the narrow streets rich with lovely shop that sell delicious Sicilian pastries and almond cakes. Make a walk discovering also the many old churches around the town.
Overnight with breakfast in Trapani.
Distance: 4,5 km / 2,8 mi
Walking time: 6 hours
Ascent & Descent: + 450m – 450m
Today you will have an excursion to the “Natural Reserve of Monte Cofano”, of surprising beauty for its coastal stretch, its fields, rows of dwarf palms and for its rich variety of wild fauna, which includes the peregrine falcon. You can visit splendid sighting towers, considered in the past as the only means of defence against pirate attacks and nowadays part of the historical heritage. Mount Cofano is 659m high. A path along the coast will lead you up to the top, where you will admire a breathtaking landscape.
Overnight with breakfast in Trapani.
Distance: 6,5 km / 4 mi
Walking time: 4 hours
Ascent & Descent: + 350m – 350m
In the morning, you will take the hydrofoil to the island of Marettimo, the second biggest island of the archipelago of the Egadi, known for its natural beauties. The wildest and most unspoiled island of the Egad. The route will pass a Roman fortress and a little Byzantine church from the Norman period and dating back to the 11th-12th century. From this point, you will have a wonderful view of the other Egadi islands and you can enjoy the sandy beaches of the island.
Overnight with breakfast on Marettimo
Distance: 4,5 km / 2,8 mi
Walking time: 2 hours
Ascent & Descent: + 290m–430m
Today you have plenty of time to explore the island and make an excursion to Punta Troia perched on a promontory that stands out on the sea at 116 meters height and its restored castle. Amazing are the views of the other islands. You can also make a ”Giro dell’Isola” (tour around the island) with a local fisherman to admire the unapproachable coastline of the island with around 400 caves. To mention is the Grotta del Tuono.
Overnight with breakfast on Marettimo
Distance: 7 km / 4,3 mi
Walking time: 4 hours
Ascent & Descent: + 689m – 689m
In the morning, you take the hydrofoil to Marsala, famous all over the world for its wine. You will have a chance to taste the special Marsala liqueur in a typical winery. The name of Marsala comes from the Arab Marsa Allah (Port of God).
Marsala is also famous for another reason: it was the landing place for Garibaldi and his 1000 men on May 11th 1860. From here started the liberation from Sicily that was under Bourbon domination. End of the day transfer to Scopello
Overnight with breakfast in Scopello or surroundings
Today’s excursions will lead you to the Zingaro Natural Reserve, a natural gem of Sicily. This natural park is a strip of land along an unspoiled coast protected by majestic mountains, where you will walk along paths surrounded by the typical Mediterranean flora. It is not accessible by cars and therefore the silence is only interrupted by the sounds of nature. There are many small paths, ending on the seacoast or climbing up into the mountains. The Zingaro Reserve hosts more than 25 species of orchids. After many coves and wonderful panoramas, you will have the chance to take a bath in one of the little bays of the reserve.
Overnight with breakfast in Scopello or surroundings
Distance: 14 km / 8,7 mi
Walking time: 6 hours
Ascent & Descent: + 500m – 500m
After breakfast end your tour enjoying the secrets of Sicily. Of course you can also extend the tour with some extra days to relax on the beaches and have some sea fun.
Impressions
Trapani-Erice-Monte Cofano-Marettimo-Marsala-Scopello-Zingaro Park
LEVEL 1,5
Easy till medium difficulty. The daily walks are short but have some differences in level. You walk through a hilly landscape, along trails or quiet country roads. Little walking experience and is needed. Walking time between 2 and 5 hours a day.
Daily distances are between 4,5 km – 14 km (2,8-8,7 miles); with an average of 2/4 km per hour.
Total distance: about 36,5 km / 22,6 miles
DEPARTURES:
Daily from April until the end of October (except the month of August)
PARTICIPANTS:
2 or more people (solo traveller on request)
START / FINISH:
Trapani / Scopello
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