Welcome to Hooked on Walking Holidays and our walking holiday in Sicily. Our Walking Holiday in Sicily starts not far from Palermo and is based in the Madonie Mountains in this area. This walking holiday in the Madonie Mountains of Sicily is available as a 7 night self guided walking tour.

Almost literally ‘in the shadow of’ the most famous and dominant highest Sicilian peak, the Etna, lays the Parco delle Madonie: an incredibly beautiful yet unknown mountain area East of Palermo. Rugged cliffs and razor-sharp mountain crests almost reaching up to 2000 meters that offer great panoramas to the walkers eyes. Small villages built like eagles nests lie scattered against the mountain slopes. The daily life passes away slowly, following the rhythm of the seasons and is strongly influenced by old rituals and traditions. People here still live off what nature has to offer. They work the small fields and grow their own vegetables, maintain the olive groves and vineyards and harvest the figs, almonds and hazelnuts. Through this timeless landscape you’ll make a real walk that takes you from the highest mountains to the sea at Cefalú, the famous harbour town with the thousand years old Norman Cathedral

Itinerary

Day 1  Arrival in Sicily
Our Private transfer service will pick you up from the airport of Palermo and take you to your  first accommodation, a lovely rebuilt estate, south of the Monte Madonie. Enjoying your first diner at this former Olive Mill, you’ll be surprised of the different regional delicatessens that are being served here. Dinner is included

Day 2 
A good 4-hour walk on which you’ll make your first acquaintance with the mountain cliffs of the Madonie. A 4x4 jeep brings you a good way up the mountain from where you’ll climb up to the Portella Castellaro. Here you are rewarded with lovely views over the rolling hills of Central Sicily as well as the blue Tyrrhenian Sea. The descent back to the estate is easy and panoramic.  12 km, up 530m, down 900m,  4.5 hours  

Day 3 Petralia Sottana
After breakfast you’re transferred to the starting point of the walk through the ‘Vallone Madonna degli Angeli’. In this secluded valley you’ll find the last 26 species of the Abies Nebrodensis, an endemic fir tree that is conserved here. Over the bold top of the Monte Cavallo the walk continues and suddenly and rapidly descends using a small footpath towards the town of Petralia Sottana. Here you’ll find hospitality in the local albergo. 15.5 km, up 580m, down 860m,   6 hours

Day 4 Pomieri
Today you’ll turn to the very heart of the Monte Madonie. A sturdy climb through wooded hills up to a 1500 m high mountain pass brings you to Pomieri, an isolated mountain hotel with a splendid view on the highest peaks. In springtime the ground is covered with different orchids that grow on these limestone rocks. 16 km, up 830m, down  490m,  6 hours 

Day 5 Rocca di Gonato
A real mountain walk today climbing from Pomieri to the plateau "Piano Battaglia" (1700 m) You make a large circular tour around the Monte Ferro (1900 m) before descending to a very special agriturismo Rocca di Gonato where you can recover from your efforts. 14 km, up 550m, down  1050m,  5.5 hours 

Day 6 Castelbuono
Today you’ll say goodbye to the Monte Madonie and descend to a beautiful agriturismo near the town of Castelbuono. Since the walk is short (only 3 hours) you’ll have time in the afternoon to enjoy the flower gardens of the agriturismo or have a stroll through Castelbuono. The ancient castle of the Ventimiglia family, the mediaeval town centre and the small streets and squares are worthwhile visiting. 7 km,  up 50m, down  570m,  3 hours

Day 7 Cefalù
After breakfast you’ll be transferred with your luggage to the bus stop of Castelbuono from where you’ll travel with public transport to Cefalú. After checking in at your hotel you’ll have the rest of the day to yourself. The Normans Cathedral, climbing the Rocca or the cool waves of the sea, the choice is yours. In the evening you’ll walk with the local people of Cefalú through the old streets to one of the many restaurants. Overnightin Cefalú.

Day 8
After breakfast the tour ends and you can travel by train or taxi to the airport of Palermo.
5 ikm 100m up , 100m down 2 hours

Best travel season
The best season for planning this tour is in late spring and early autumn. Not only the weather but also nature is at its best during these months. It rarely happens that you find snow on the highest pass at the beginning of May.

Level of walking
The daily distances fluctuate between 8 and 16 km. You’ll climb and descend between the 400 and 1000 m. Although the majority of the walks are not difficult and fairly well signaled you should however have some experience in mountain walking and orientation.

Accommodation and meals
The accommodations we’ve chosen for this tour are all different and special, ranging from a simple but friendly albergo, an old monastery to a luxurious estate or agriturismo. In all the accommodations there’re double bedrooms with bathroom. In the evening you’ll experience the richness of the local kitchen and the hospitality of the local people. They’ll transfer your luggage and prepare you dinner and mostly you can order your packed lunch at the accommodations. In Cefalú you stay in a hotel just outside the city centre where you are free to choose one of the many restaurants for dinner.

2008 Prices

How to get there
The best airport to use is Palermo Punta Raisi, from where you can take a  bus then the train. Otherwise you can book a transfer from the airport or the train station.   You can also fly into Catania but the transfer is longer and more complicated

Return Cefalu to airport by bus around £6 , 9€ ( pay locally )
Private transfers by car at end of tour to Palermo airport around 90 €  ( max 4 persons ) , 120€ ( 5-8 persons ) - Paid Locally and arranged at last hotel

Trip extension
It is possible to book extra nights for you in all the different accommodations. However we especially recommend the estate in Scillato (great place, good food), the agriturismo in Castelbuono (lovely accommodation with garden) or the hotel in Cefalú (nice town).
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