The heart of Sicily cycling tour

Arrival in Castellamare del Golfo, a lovely portal town, whose origins are dating back to Classic Antique Times, when it functioned as the harbor of Segesta and Erice. Bike fitting and handing over of tour documents.

Overnight with breakfast in Castellammare del Golfo

From Castellammare you start to cycle to the wonderful Nature Reserve “Zingaro”. Only a few kilometers from the pretty village of Scopello, stretches You will have the chance to explore it on foot allowing yourself to linger on all the aromi and scents which this untamed landscape has to offer. Trekking along its undulating footpath you will find yourself between two very different scenes: on one side the enchanting view of the Tyrrhenian sea, with its coves and bays (calette) where you can swim and  snorkel in the limpid water, on the other, the vibrancy and colours of the flora and fauna typical of this mountainous environment. On the way back you can visit Scopello, a 17^th century village. Around its small square, you will find most of the houses and shops of the entire village. The old tuna fishery is situated few kilometers away onto a promontory overlooking the crystalline waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Bring you bathing suite. There are some nice beaches in the park.

Overnight with breakfast in Castellammare del Golfo

Distance by bike: 28 km / 17 mi

Ascent & Descent: + 571m – 571m

Distance on foot: 14 km /8,5 km

Walking time: 4 hrs

After a last admiring of the fabulous gulf of Castellammare your ride takes to the hinterland of the Sicilian countryside full of olive trees and vineyards. Pedalling through this landscape, with alternating ascents to flat parts, you will reach the archaeological site of Segesta, an ancient city founded by the Elymians more than 2500 years ago. From here, following secondary country roads, you will finally arrive in Trapani, known in Sicily as the city of Salt.

Overnight with breakfast in Trapani

Distance: 57 km / 35 mi

Ascent & Descent: + 631m – 651m

Today you can choose between two options, which are very different one from another but both very attractive. You may decide to visit Erice, an old medieval village perched onto its homonym hill rising 750 meters asl, which you can reach either by cable car or cycling. From Trapani 11 kilometers of hairpin bends separate you from its summit, where you can enjoy a stunning view stretching all the way to the Egadi islands.

Or you could choose to spend a day relaxing in Favignana, the largest of the Egadi islands which you can reach by ferry or hydrofoil. It will certainly not disappoint you with its beautiful calette and its seafaring atmosphere. The best way to explore Favignaga is by bike!

Overnight with breakfast in Trapani

Distance to Favignana: 25 km / 15,5 mi

Distance to Erice: 37 km / 23 mi

Ascent & Descent to Erice: + 784m – 784m

Today a flat ride along the beautiful coastline.  Windmills, saltpans and mounds of freshly extracted salt will be the backdrop of this an unmatchable landscape. You will also have the chance to visit Mothia Island, the ancient cradle of Phoenician- Punic civilization; can be reached by motorboat from the lagoon within few minutes. Today’s stage ends in Marsala, a beautiful sea town where a special liqueur, the “Marsala” is produced and where Garibaldi landed with his expedition of the Thousand.

Overnight with breakfast in Marsala

Distance: 43 km /27 mi

Ascent & Descent: + 122m – 112m

Today’s stage continues along the enchanting Tyrrhenian coastline until it winds inland through the typical countryside of these parts of Sicily. There are numerous vineyards and bagli (big old farm centers). The route will end in Mazara del Vallo, seat of the most important Italian fishing fleet and located at the mouth of the river Mazaro, which divides the town in two. The Arab influence is dominant as you can see when you stroll through the narrow alleyways of the Kasbah (Arabic quarter) with its bright colours and powerful scents, that you will be reminded of the African continent just across the sea.

Shorter route:

Overnight with breakfast in Mazara del Vallo

Distance: 30 km / 18,6 mi

Ascent & Descent: + 67m – 71m

Longer route:

Overnight with breakfast in Mazara del Vallo

Distance: 50 km / 31 mi

Ascent & Descent: + 226m – 238m

After leaving Mazara, you will continue along a road, which runs a kilometer parallel to the coast and will take you to the Nature Reserve “Lago Preola e Gorghi tondi”. Immersed in a valley, a series of small lakes of karstic origins will appear to you without warning. Anyone passionate of the fauna and flora typical of swamps will find it rewarding. Riding on a hilly road in direction of Campobello di Mazara, you pass the Cave di Cusa, from where all the material, used to build the temples of Selinunte, was extracted. Only 13 kilometers further down the road, you will have the opportunity to visit the archeological site of Selinunte, the ancient Greek city that will take you back a few thousand years. The archaeological park stretches for about 1.300 meters from east to west and is one of the largest and most impressive archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. On a par with pretty much anything found in Greece itself, Selinunte has lain abandoned for over 2,000 years, its numerous temples, acropolis and agora in dignified ruins. Relax and swim at Selinunte’s beaches.

Overnight with breakfast in Selinunte

Distance: 34 km /21 mi or 41 km / 25 mi

Ascent & Descent: + 246m – 158m

Departure after breakfast