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Enchanting Sicily
Scopello-Zingaro Park-Segesta-Erice-Monte Cofano-Marettimo-Favignano-Levanzo-Trapani
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 Scopello, a charming fishing village where there was once a large tuna fishery. Interesting is to visit the museum in the nature reserve, where the history of tuna fishing is told. On the second day, a magnificent walk awaits you through the Zingaro Nature Reserve, with enchanting coves and a coastal path from which you will enjoy splendid views of the sea. You have the possibility to refresh yourself in the sea.
In the tour, you have enough opportunity to discover Trapani, located on the northeastern coast of Sicily; it is built on the coast, at the foot of Mount Erice. The city, with a very beautiful and interesting baroque historic centre, has a rich history and a fascinating culture. The many civilizations that have dominated the city have left their mark. The different architectural styles over the centuries make the historic center of the city very particular. You will visit the medieval city of Erice, located on a 750 meters high mountain, from which you will see the beautiful saltpans of the area and the city of Trapani. Erice has two castles, one from the Saracen period and one from the Norman domination.
Trapani is also an excellent base for a walk on Monte Cofano. The walking route is fantastic, a mix of coastal and mountain paths. You will visit by boat the fabulous Egadi Islands. Marittimo is the most mountainous of the three islands, a paradise for hikers: paths on the cliffs that wind their weay through scented brooms and purple cistus, past Saracen fortresses, Roman villas and caves in the Coral Sea.
The daily program of the 8-day tour
Individual arrival at Scopello. Scopello, a small fishing village, boasts over 2000 years of history seen it is founded by the ancient Greeks. You will have time to visit the Tonnara, considered one of the most important of Sicily. In the evening, you can wander through the small alleys, rich in history and find a cosy place to taste the good, and genuine food and discover the Sicilian wines.
Overnight with breakfast in Scopello
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
Distance: 14 km / 8,7 mi
Walking time: 6 hours
Ascent & Descent: + 500m – 500m
After breakfast, a private transfer will take you to the Archaeological Park of Segesta. In the park, dating back to the 5th century BC, you will immerse in the glorious Hellenic history of Sicily. Here is to admire the Doric Temple, perfectly preserved, the Ancient Theater of Segesta, with a capacity of 3000 people and nestled against the hill. From the Theater, you have a breathtaking view of the Sicilian countryside, and if you are lucky, you can even see the sea in the distance. At the end of the visit (about 2 hours) with transfer you will be brought to the city of Trapani. Trapani has an interesting history, the Elymians founded it as a port for the nearby city of Eryx (today Erice) which stands on the mountain bearing the same name. The city center has a lively nightlife with many restaurants, ice cream parlors and bars.
Overnight with breakfast in Trapani
Today after breakfast, you will have 2 options, both to discover the archipelago of the Egadi islands. Where a hydrofoil will take you:
– Visit the island of Marettimo and take an excursion to Punta Troia perched on a promontory that stands out over the sea at a height of 116 meters and to its restored castle. The walk will not be long but will be characterized by ups and downs. The views including the other islands will be incredible.
– Visit to the island of Favignana, the largest of the Egadi Islands. The route will take you to the Castle of Santa Caterina, an ancient lookout point over the surrounding sea that dominates the island itself. The island is famous for its crystal clear sea and its magnificent bays. Walk that will end in the village of Favignana, where you can breathe the ancient fishing tradition, witnessed by the ancient Tonnara Florio.
In the evening, return by hydrofoil to Trapani for the overnight stay
Overnight with breakfast on Trapani
Distance: 6,5 km / 4 mi or 4,5 km / 2,8 mi
Walking time: 2,5 hours or 2 hours
Ascent & Descent: + 320m – 320m + 400m – 400m
Today, a transfer will bring you to the starting point of the excursion in 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 breath-taking landscape.
Overnight with breakfast in Trapani
Distance: 9,5 km / 5,9 mi
Walking time: 4 hours
Ascent & Descent: + 420m – 470m
Today, again with a hydrofoil, you will reach Levanzo, the smallest of the Egadi islands. Here an extraordinary walk through a stunning nature along crystal clear sea, will lead you to the Grotta del Genovese. The Cave is estimated to have been inhabited from 10,000 BC. untill 6,000 BC and features numerous graffiti and rock paintings that are among the most beautiful in Italy. It is the possible to go around the island by boat. In the late afternoon, you return to Trapani for the another overnight stay.
Overnight with breakfast in Trapani
Distance: 11 km / 6,8 mi
Walking time: 4 hours
Ascent & Descent: + 400m – 400m
Today, by public transport, you go from the hotel to the starting point of your walk to the lovely medieval town of Erice. There is a significant climb and descent, but the km are short. so you have time to dedicate yourself to visit 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 miles
Walking time: 3 hours
Ascent & Descent: + 450m – 450m
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
Scopello-Zingaro Park-Segesta-Erice-Monte Cofano-Marettimo-Favignano-Levanzo-Trapani
LEVEL 2
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 43,5 km or 46,3 km / 27 mi or 28,7 mi
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:
Scopello / Trapani
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