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Hikes in Sicily
Italy
The 10 most beautiful hikes in Sicily
Volcano country - hiking on Mount Etna
No matter where you are on the island, the largest volcano in Europe is omnipresent. The 3329 m high Etna overshadows the whole island, even at the other end it can always be seen on the horizon. Even Goethe was on the active volcano in 1787 and explored the black earth around the crater during his trip through Italy. Meanwhile, Etna is very accessible, with cable cars, all-terrain buses and well-maintained trails you can get far up. It is recommended to hike with guides, they know the area best and will guide you safely through the terrain. The tour is for experienced hikers and requires some basic hiking knowledge. Bring plenty of water and warm clothing on your trip, as it can be chilly at high elevations - even on an active volcano!
The secondary craters of the volcano also offer great excursion opportunities. When visibility is good, the lava deserts on the northern flank are worth a visit. In the Parco dell'Etna you will pass through different vegetation zones on your hike, all of which benefit from the volcano. In the lower area, the Mediterranean maquis blooms and further up, cooled lava flows and craters form a picture as if from another world.
An island full of cultures
Photo: Chris Unger, CC0, Unsplash.com
A mixture of different cultures makes Sicily an extraordinary place, bursting with culture. Especially the Greeks shaped the island, which can be seen in Syracuse and the numerous temple ruins. On your walks you will always find the influences of earlier inhabitants. From 827 on, the Arabian army also left its mark on the vegetation. Date palms, sugar cane, rice and lemon trees are now everywhere on the island.
Palermo blossomed throughout history and today is a tourist magnet with its impressive scenery. Further east is the coastal town of Cefalù at the foot of the Rocca di Cefalù on which a leisurely hiking tour leads.
As a starting point for hiking tours is also suitable Taormina on the east coast of Sicily in the region of Messina, for example, around Mount Veneretta.
Other areas ideal for hiking:
- Zingaro Nature Reserve in the northwest of Sicily
- Lipari Islands especially Stromboli with the volcano of the same name
- Hikes around Noto with visits to the late Baroque towns of Val di Noto
