Magna Via Francigena
Walking from Palermo to Agrigento
The navel of the Mediterranean, an ancient pilgrimage route from sea to sea crossing the main center of Sicily. The Magna Via Francigena runs through the ancient landscapes between bare hills that lay in the Sicilian sun, extraordinary villages clinging to the cliffs and some rare green oases among lakes and gentle mountains. But the Magna Via Francigena is especially the meeting with the populations that still represent the agricultural past of Sicily where time has another dimension. People who have suffered the contaminations of the most different cultures that "visited" Sicily. A cultural mix of traditions and welcoming people will make you feel like travelers and not just "tourists".
Highights :
- Palermo the Arab-Norman capital of the island and the Valle dei Templi di Agrigento
- The unexpected villages of Prizzi, Racalmuto and Sutera
- The immensity of the Sicilian countryside between wheat fields, vineyards and olive groves
- The genuine welcoming people
Highights :
- Palermo the Arab-Norman capital of the island and the Valle dei Templi di Agrigento
- The unexpected villages of Prizzi, Racalmuto and Sutera
- The immensity of the Sicilian countryside between wheat fields, vineyards and olive groves
- The genuine welcoming people
Day 1 : Arrival in Palermo
Arrival at Palermo airport. Private transfer to Palermo city and check-in at your accommodation.
Overnight stay in Palermo
Day 2 : Palermo / Santa Cristina di Gela. Stop at Monreale and Piana degli Albanesi (3 hours hiking, +350 mt – 250 mt, 10 km)
You spend the morning admiring the Arabian wonders of Sicily. Have your Pilgrim's Pass stamped at Palermo Cathedral and with a private transfer join the Cathedral of Monreale with its mosaics of Byzantine inspiration and its architectural forms that mix Norman elements with Arab elements. Your driver then drops you off at Piana degli Albanesi. Here, in the lands where the Albanian populations found shelter during the diaspore caused by the Ottomans in the XV century, you start your path that will lead you to Agrigento. In Piana degli Albanesi we eat the best "cannoli" of Sicily. Stop by one of the city's historic pastries: you can not miss this delicious ricotta-flavored treat! Pass Santa Cristina di Gela and with the beautiful Lake Piana on the bottom, reach your agriturismo in the countryside. Dinner and overnight in agriturismo near Santa Cristina di Gela.
Day 3: Santa Cristina di Gela / Corleone (6h hiking, +350 mt -- 600 mt, 21km)
Between fields use for transhumance by shepherds, pass the quiet Santuario de S. Maria del Rosario di Tagliavia and head towards the rocks Argentaria e Pizzo Nicolosi that together at the Gorges del Drago form an extraordinary natural environment. You finally arrived in Corleone, whose history is sadly related to the names of the mafiosi families of the 50s. A visit to CIDMA, the documentation center on the phenomenon Mafioso and antimafioso is strongly recommended. Today Corleone is a charming village in the Sicilian countryside that shows off its baroque Spanish influence. Overnight in Corleone.
Day 4: Corleone / Prizzi (5h30 hiking, + 800 mt – 370 mt,, 21,5 km)
Today let’s enjoy an extraordinary beautiful Hike. Beautiful view of Corleone from the hill of Santa Maria de Malopasso. Pass near the Due Rocche waterfalls. Pass the vineyards and fruit trees of this generous countryside. The still lake of Prizzi announces the presence of the village of medieval origin leaning on a high cliff. Overnight in Prizzi.
Day 5: Prizzi / Borgo di Riena (4h30 hiking, + 350 mt – 600 mt, 15.5 km)
The path today becomes green and fresh. Enter the Monte Carcaci Nature Reserve at 1,200 mt between oaks, cypresses, poplars and willows. The descent is done on the "Via Militare" whose name evokes the bellicose function that had this road in the XIX century. Pass the small hamlet of Riena that has been abandoned since the 80's witness the past agricultural of this zone. Arrival then AT your agriturismo. Dinner and overnight in agriturismo near Castronovo di Sicilia.
Day 6: Castronovo di Sicilia / Cammarata (5h30 hiking, + 550 mt -700 mt, 18 km)
Continue your ascent through the beautiful forests scattered with "pagliai", ancient rural structures, reaching the village of Castronovo with its Byzantine origins. The path enters the heart of the Magna Via Francigena between the high plateau of Kassar and the Roc de San Vitale. Before crossing the river "Platani", pass the prehistoric necropolis of Capelvenere with its artificial caves. You will arrive in Cammarata. Overnight stay in Cammarata.
Day 7: Cammarata / Sutera (5h30 hiking, + 680 mt – 800 mt, 22 km)
You pass the Platani once again before cresting on the hills surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Mount Cammarata, 1.600 meters hight, is just behind you, the Platani Valley in front of you and further on, the charming villages of Mussomeli and Sutera, your destination for today. Do not miss the visit of this wonderful city built around a cliff and considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Overnight stay in Sutera.
Day 8: Sutera / Racalmuto (6 hours hiking, + 650 mt - 800 mt, 24 km)
Leave the majestic rock of Sutera and descend to the river Gallodoro following the old path that takes you to Milena. You ford the stream in a breathtaking setting. Racalmuto, the city of the famous writer Leonardo Sciascia, awaits you with its monuments and the elegant church of Annunziata. Overnight stay in Racalmuto.
Day 9: Racalmuto / Comitini train to Agrigento (4 hours hiking, + 350 mt – 450 mt, 12,5 km)
Today you will discover the mining area with its mountains pierced to extract the sulfur, the Baroque village of Aragona and Comitini whose beauty you will be able to enjoy from your privileged position at the top of the hill. The African Sea lays in front of you and the sun embraces the flowery countryside of Sicily. Short transfer from Comitini to Aragona train station. Train to Agrigento and move towards the Cathedral dedicated to San Gerland; your pilgrimage ends here! Overnight stay in Agrigento.
Day 10 : Departure
After breakfast, end of our services.
Arrival at Palermo airport. Private transfer to Palermo city and check-in at your accommodation.
Overnight stay in Palermo
Day 2 : Palermo / Santa Cristina di Gela. Stop at Monreale and Piana degli Albanesi (3 hours hiking, +350 mt – 250 mt, 10 km)
You spend the morning admiring the Arabian wonders of Sicily. Have your Pilgrim's Pass stamped at Palermo Cathedral and with a private transfer join the Cathedral of Monreale with its mosaics of Byzantine inspiration and its architectural forms that mix Norman elements with Arab elements. Your driver then drops you off at Piana degli Albanesi. Here, in the lands where the Albanian populations found shelter during the diaspore caused by the Ottomans in the XV century, you start your path that will lead you to Agrigento. In Piana degli Albanesi we eat the best "cannoli" of Sicily. Stop by one of the city's historic pastries: you can not miss this delicious ricotta-flavored treat! Pass Santa Cristina di Gela and with the beautiful Lake Piana on the bottom, reach your agriturismo in the countryside. Dinner and overnight in agriturismo near Santa Cristina di Gela.
Day 3: Santa Cristina di Gela / Corleone (6h hiking, +350 mt -- 600 mt, 21km)
Between fields use for transhumance by shepherds, pass the quiet Santuario de S. Maria del Rosario di Tagliavia and head towards the rocks Argentaria e Pizzo Nicolosi that together at the Gorges del Drago form an extraordinary natural environment. You finally arrived in Corleone, whose history is sadly related to the names of the mafiosi families of the 50s. A visit to CIDMA, the documentation center on the phenomenon Mafioso and antimafioso is strongly recommended. Today Corleone is a charming village in the Sicilian countryside that shows off its baroque Spanish influence. Overnight in Corleone.
Day 4: Corleone / Prizzi (5h30 hiking, + 800 mt – 370 mt,, 21,5 km)
Today let’s enjoy an extraordinary beautiful Hike. Beautiful view of Corleone from the hill of Santa Maria de Malopasso. Pass near the Due Rocche waterfalls. Pass the vineyards and fruit trees of this generous countryside. The still lake of Prizzi announces the presence of the village of medieval origin leaning on a high cliff. Overnight in Prizzi.
Day 5: Prizzi / Borgo di Riena (4h30 hiking, + 350 mt – 600 mt, 15.5 km)
The path today becomes green and fresh. Enter the Monte Carcaci Nature Reserve at 1,200 mt between oaks, cypresses, poplars and willows. The descent is done on the "Via Militare" whose name evokes the bellicose function that had this road in the XIX century. Pass the small hamlet of Riena that has been abandoned since the 80's witness the past agricultural of this zone. Arrival then AT your agriturismo. Dinner and overnight in agriturismo near Castronovo di Sicilia.
Day 6: Castronovo di Sicilia / Cammarata (5h30 hiking, + 550 mt -700 mt, 18 km)
Continue your ascent through the beautiful forests scattered with "pagliai", ancient rural structures, reaching the village of Castronovo with its Byzantine origins. The path enters the heart of the Magna Via Francigena between the high plateau of Kassar and the Roc de San Vitale. Before crossing the river "Platani", pass the prehistoric necropolis of Capelvenere with its artificial caves. You will arrive in Cammarata. Overnight stay in Cammarata.
Day 7: Cammarata / Sutera (5h30 hiking, + 680 mt – 800 mt, 22 km)
You pass the Platani once again before cresting on the hills surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Mount Cammarata, 1.600 meters hight, is just behind you, the Platani Valley in front of you and further on, the charming villages of Mussomeli and Sutera, your destination for today. Do not miss the visit of this wonderful city built around a cliff and considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Overnight stay in Sutera.
Day 8: Sutera / Racalmuto (6 hours hiking, + 650 mt - 800 mt, 24 km)
Leave the majestic rock of Sutera and descend to the river Gallodoro following the old path that takes you to Milena. You ford the stream in a breathtaking setting. Racalmuto, the city of the famous writer Leonardo Sciascia, awaits you with its monuments and the elegant church of Annunziata. Overnight stay in Racalmuto.
Day 9: Racalmuto / Comitini train to Agrigento (4 hours hiking, + 350 mt – 450 mt, 12,5 km)
Today you will discover the mining area with its mountains pierced to extract the sulfur, the Baroque village of Aragona and Comitini whose beauty you will be able to enjoy from your privileged position at the top of the hill. The African Sea lays in front of you and the sun embraces the flowery countryside of Sicily. Short transfer from Comitini to Aragona train station. Train to Agrigento and move towards the Cathedral dedicated to San Gerland; your pilgrimage ends here! Overnight stay in Agrigento.
Day 10 : Departure
After breakfast, end of our services.
Skill level: medium, 3 to 6 hours walking each day, well signposted wide paths. A prior hiking experience is recommended.
Accommodation: 9 nights in hotel ***, B&B, farmhouse with ensuite bathroom and breakfast included
Equipment: good and solid trekking boots, trekking trousers and shorts, hat and gloves, wind jacket, sun glasses, sun cream, multitask knife, trekking poles.
Included:
Private transfers as mentioned inside the itinerary
Accommodation as described in the program, with breakfast included
Dinners at farmhouse day 2 and day 5
Luggage transfers from day 2 to day 9
Roadbook, maps and mobile APP
Pilgrim credentials (1 per person)
Local phone assistance 24/24h 7/7d
Not included:
all lunches
dinners except for days 2 and 5
Drinks
Train from Aragona to Agrigento
Hotel tourist taxes when requested
Guided visits and entrances
Everything not specified in ‘price includes’
Accommodation: 9 nights in hotel ***, B&B, farmhouse with ensuite bathroom and breakfast included
Equipment: good and solid trekking boots, trekking trousers and shorts, hat and gloves, wind jacket, sun glasses, sun cream, multitask knife, trekking poles.
Included:
Private transfers as mentioned inside the itinerary
Accommodation as described in the program, with breakfast included
Dinners at farmhouse day 2 and day 5
Luggage transfers from day 2 to day 9
Roadbook, maps and mobile APP
Pilgrim credentials (1 per person)
Local phone assistance 24/24h 7/7d
Not included:
all lunches
dinners except for days 2 and 5
Drinks
Train from Aragona to Agrigento
Hotel tourist taxes when requested
Guided visits and entrances
Everything not specified in ‘price includes’
Trips Note
Destination: Sicily
Travel Style: Self-guided walking holiday
Interest: Pilgrim route and History & culture
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Departures: Apr May Jun Sep Oct
Group size: from 1 person
Airport: Catania, Palermo
