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- Sardinia
- Epic Sardinia
- The North Sardinia Circle Tour
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- Sicily's Baroque Ring Biking Tour
- On the Roads of Giro d'Italia in Sicily
- West coast Sicily by bike: In search of the 'real' island
- Sicily Circle Tour
- Epic Sicily
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- Epic Corsica
- Italian Alps
- On the roads of Tour de France
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- A luxury journey along bootleggers' paths of Como lake
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- Legendary climbs of the Alps
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- Piedmont treasures
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- Spectacular Climbs of the Dolomites
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- Orobie Alps: a gem waiting to be discovered
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From Taormina to Cefalù...and back!
Creating an authentic experience, combining well-designed tours with clever logistics, is akin to achieving the holy grail of biking trips. Often, compromises are made, and beautiful sights are left unexplored to ensure logistical feasibility. However, our approach is different. We don't consider a trip design complete until it's so meticulously planned that we would embark on the journey ourselves the very next day.
The Sicily's Circle tour is a testament to this meticulous approach. Comprising seven stages, it not only encompasses historically rich towns like Taormina but also ventures into Sicily's most breathtaking natural parks, linking two of the three surrounding seas: the Ionian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The ride introduces exciting challenges, notably the journey across Etna National Park, providing a unique cycling experience atop Europe's tallest active volcano.
Venturing into the unexpected, Sicily reveals its lush side while crossing Madonie National Park, characterized by diverse biodiversity and captivating medieval villages. Similarly, exploring Nebrodi National Park unveils vast forests, diverse wildlife, and panoramic vistas extending to the sea.
Our emphasis on clever logistics ensures flexibility for travelers. Whether you land in Palermo or Catania, you can seamlessly embark on this self-guided trip. The distances, views, hotels, and towns visited will remain consistent, offering a well-rounded and hassle-free biking adventure.
ITINERARY
Arrival at Catania (or Palermo) airport and transfer to Taormina (or Cefalù). Accommodation and bike fitting at four-star hotel.
62 km | 1,332m | 1,332m | 3,30h
It’s a mix of coastline and hills inland on this first cycling day in Sicily: our week begins with a beautiful stage with medium distance climbs, the longest being 12 km long. From Letojanni, we'll climb up the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell’Aiuto at 1000m ASL through the Agrò Valley, nearly the top of Mount Kalfa. From there, the stage explores - across narrow and quiet countryside roads - a very spectacular and lush area. Is there a place where we can stop to grab a cappuccino? Of course there is, and it’s the famous and lovely Bar Vitelli in Savoca, straight from Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘The Godfather’ movie. From there, a thrilling and winding descent will take us again to the coastline, on the way back to the hotel.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast |
82.3 km | 2,327m | 1,440m | 4,30h
Today's stage will be unforgettable... we'll take on Europe's tallest active volcano! After an initial stretch along the coast, we'll begin our long ascent towards the summit on the north side of Mount Etna. Starting from Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, we'll climb along the switchbacks of Presa and Vena. In recent years, this climb has been featured in both the Giro d'Italia and the Giro di Sicilia.
Once we reach Fornazzo, after a short break, we'll face the official ascent of Etna: the first switchbacks are quite challenging, but as we cover more kilometers, the climb becomes easier, and the surroundings will resemble a lunar landscape.
Upon reaching the junction for Piano Provenzana, perhaps the toughest challenge of the day begins: the road starts to ascend with gradients almost always above 10%, winding its way amid the cooled basalt of the lava flow, leading over three kilometers to the 1,805-meter plateau of Piano Provenzana, the most frequented ski resort in the Etna area.
After a well-deserved rest, a long descent through the Ragabo pine forest begins, and as we reach the outskirts of Linguaglossa, we'll take the road to "Quota Mille," where amidst continuous ups and downs, we'll arrive at our hotel for a well-deserved beer.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast | Dinner
124.7 km | 2,192m | 1,963m | 6,30h
Today, you'll feel like you're not in Sicily. The stage ahead, in fact, will be a continuous up and down between 600 and 1200 meters in elevation, covering the 124 kilometers separating Randazzo from Petralia Soprana, ensuring an enjoyable ride.
Today's route is the only one connecting the three natural parks and will alternate between charming small villages and endless meadows. Shortly after leaving Randazzo, we'll begin the first climb towards Cesarò, the gateway to the Nebrodi Park. The climb boasts an average slope of 4%, which won't pose an immediate challenge.
The continuous up and down will continue for most of the day, leading us through the towns of Troina, Cerami, Nicosia, and Sperlinga. After Sperlinga, a long but manageable ascent towards the Madonie Park begins.
Once we reach the magnificent village of Gangi, only 10 kilometers will remain to our hotel in the small town of Petralia Soprana, a picturesque hillside town characterized by winding medieval streets adorned with stone houses and flower-filled balconies, offering panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. Rich in history, it showcases a cultural heritage through its ancient churches, such as the imposing Mother Church of Santa Maria and the Norman Tower.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
67.8 km | 1,191m | 2,317m | 3h
After yesterday's effort, today will feel like a walk in the park. Only 67 kilometers separate us from Cefalù. The first part of the stage will take place within the Madonie Park. We'll ascend to 1600 meters at Piano Battaglia, where the woodland scenery will undoubtedly steal the show. The nature here is truly spectacular!
Following Piano Battaglia, we'll start a long descent towards Isnello. Even here, the landscape won't change much; trees and rocks will accompany us for many kilometers.
From Isnello to Gratteri, it will be an ascent, five kilometers at an average gradient of 5%. After the summit, the landscape transforms, leaving forests and mountains behind, revealing the coastline. An exhilarating and long descent will lead us all the way to Cefalù.
Cefalù is a picturesque coastal town. Its narrow cobblestone streets lead to charming squares where local life thrives amidst quaint cafés and artisanal shops. The golden sandy beach offers a serene escape, framed by the imposing Rocca di Cefalù, a rocky promontory overlooking the azure Mediterranean Sea.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast |
79 km | 465m | 464m | 3h
Today will be the easiest stage of the tour, a splendid ride along the rugged coast from Cefalù to Capo d'Orlando. The day on the bike will pass swiftly, crossing small seaside villages like Finale, Castel di Tusa, Santo Stefano di Camastra (renowned for its ceramics), and Sant'Agata di Militello. Similar to Cefalù, here too, you'll have the chance to enjoy the Tyrrhenian coast's sea.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast | Dinner
77.2 km | 1,501m | 932m | 4h
Today's stage takes us towards the mountains of the Nebrodi Park. It will be an ascent from kilometer zero, and although not particularly challenging, it will be a long climb.
We start with the sea always in the background, but as soon as we reach the town of "Naso," the hills first and then the mountains will dominate the landscape.
Wooded panoramas will alternate with a few small villages like Castell'Umberto or Ucria, both towns we recommend for a stop, not only for the beauty of the villages but also for the friendliness and warmth of their inhabitants.
The long climb is now surrounded by vast meadows, and pay attention along the way; you might make an intriguing sighting: the black pig of the Nebrodi, the absolute protagonist of the park. The end of the ascent is marked by arriving in the town of Floresta, the highest municipality in Sicily.
After passing Floresta, we'll begin a long descent towards Randazzo. Subsequently, we'll head towards the Etna vineyards road until we reach Verzella, a small hamlet of Castiglione di Sicilia. Here, our hotel is nestled within one of Sicily's renowned wineries, where a Wine Tasting experience is also planned.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast | Dinner | Wine tasting
58.3 km | 723m | 1,097m | 3h
The shortest stage of the Sicily Circle is face two different parts: the first will take us through the vineyards of Mount Etna, where volcanic soil and viticulture have come together to create uniquely flavored wines.
The second part, will lead us towards Taormina, passing through the Alcantara's Valley. Nestled on the stunning cliffs overlooking the Ionian Sea, Taormina is a Sicilian gem renowned for its breathtaking views and rich history.
Left the hotel, our ride starts with a short uphill towards one of the most beautiful villages in the area, Castiglione di Sicilia, overlooking all the vineyards in the valley from above. The road continues with a gentle ascent all the way to Passopisciaro, a small village that lends its name to the famous production of Etna wines.
From here, the long descent towards the coast begins. We'll pass through small rural villages such as Moio Alcantara and Francavilla di Sicilia before reaching renowned seaside resorts like Giardini Naxos and Isola Bella in Taormina.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to Catania or Palermo airport and end of services.
Start: Taormina
End: Taormina
Accommodation
Handpicked hotels
Enjoy our personally selected range of authentic Sicilian accommodation. From staying in architecturally restored masserie with a ‘window’ overlooking ancient sites, beautiful seaside villas with views over turquoise seas, historic locanda’s in the quiet countryside where family run farms are still producing wine and olive oil, this diverse experience brings together the beauty of ancient, historic Sicily with the rustic, modern and sometimes edgy Sicily.
Food
Eat like locals
Each region offers a unique palette of flavors steeped in Sicilian tradition.
Cefalù, perched on Sicily's northern coast, presents a bounty of seafood delights like pasta con le sarde (pasta with sardines) and fresh catches grilled to perfection. Taormina, known for its picturesque setting, offers a blend of Sicilian and Mediterranean cuisines—dishes include pasta alla norma and involtini di pesce spada (swordfish rolls). In the Madonie mountains, hearty fare like robust soups, pecorino cheese, and succulent porchetta (roast pork) take the spotlight. Moving to Nebrodi, rustic specialties prevail, such as capretto alla ghiotta (stewed goat) and black truffle-infused delicacies, showcasing the region's culinary richness and authenticity.
Our best picks for this tour
As we have one of the largest and best bike fleets in Italy, we are proud to give our guests the freedom to choose the bike that suits them best.
Ride Highlights:
The Nebrodi Park
“The lovliest region of Italy: a stunning orgy of colors, scents, and lights…a great delight”
Travel arrangements
The best airport to land is Catania (CTA).
For those participating in a guided or in a supported tour, a group transfer is scheduled to depart from Catania airport at 2 p.m. Similarly, for the return journey, a group transfer is arranged to depart from Taormina at 10 a.m.
For alternative requirements, we can assist in arranging private transfers (that will be quoted separately) or suggest the most cost-effective transport solution.
Travelers on self-guided trips have to independently reach Taormina. The Catania airport and Taormina are well-connected by both railway and bus services.
However, if you prefer a most comfortable and faster solution, we can assist in arranging a transfer that suits your needs best (the transfer will be quoted separately).
Please contact us for more information.
Food & Drinks during stages
For those participating in a guided or in a supported tour, during the rides, we plan at least one longer food stop in the middle of the stage plus one or more coffee stops. In the assistance van we have bars, gels and water.
Those riding for the self-guided tour can rely on our road book and maps that show the suggested bars or restaurants.
Necessary Gear
Our guests will get a pre tour info kit that gives useful suggestions on how to enjoy our trips in full. Here is a quick selection that might be useful at this stage.
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We suggest renting a bike with us. But feel free to bring your own bike. Just consider bringing along a selection of model specific spare parts (ie. derailleur hangers).
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The hotels have in some occasion a bike room, bikes are anyway always stored safely. We have a mobile workshop with tools and spare parts.
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Bring along a wide selection of clothes, including some full arm jackets, raincoat, leg and arm warmers: there are a lot of mountains where the weather is never completely predictable.
