Sicily - Magna Via Francigena

Sicily - Magna Via Francigena

tourhub | UTracks | Sicily - Magna Via Francigena | MFS
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8 Days From

$1250

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Sicily with the "Sicily - Magna Via Francigena" tour. Follow in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims as you traverse the rugged beauty of inland Sicily, discovering the warm hospitality and pride of the Sicilian people. Explore charming towns like Prizzi, Racalmuto, and Sutera, and indulge in local culinary delights and superb Sicilian wines. Stay in comfortable hotels and charming B&Bs, and marvel at the artistic melting pot of Palermo and the grandeur of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. This self-guided walking holiday offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. ...more ...less

Highlights

  • Following in the footsteps of pilgrims from centuries ago

  • Discovering the rugged beauty of inland Sicily and the enthusiasm, hospitality and pride of the Sicilians

  • Visiting the charming towns of Prizzi, Racalmuto and Sutera

  • Feasting on local culinary delights and tasting superb Sicilian wines

  • The artistic melting pot of Palermo and the magnificence of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento

  • Exploring the maze of alleys and chalk houses of the Rabato neighbourhood in Sutera

  • Walking through the peaceful Carcaci Natural Reserve, home to numerous species of birds of prey

Places You'll See

Old town of Cefalu, Sicily, Italy

Old town of Cefalu, Sicily, Italy

Piazza San Domenico, Catania, Sicily

Piazza San Domenico, Catania, Sicily

Itinerary

tourhub | UTracks | Sicily - Magna Via Francigena | MFS | Route Map

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Day 1 : Arrive Palermo

Cathdral of Palermo, Italy
Piazza San Domenico, Catania, Sicily
Old town of Cefalu, Sicily, Italy
Old town of Cefalu, Sicily, Italy
Piazza San Domenico, Catania, Sicily
Massimo theater entrance in Palermo, Sicily
Massimo theater entrance in Palermo, Sicily

Location: Palermo

Accommodation Name: hotel

Arrive in Palermo and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the city's range of historical attractions, ancient buildings, and dramatic coastlines. We can assist with pre-trip accommodation if you'd like to fully discover this intriguing city.

Day 2 : Walk to Corleone through a landscape of rocky gorges and shepherds fields (6hrs)

Location: Corleone

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast a private transfer (at 9am, approx. 1 hr) takes you to Santa Cristina di Gela to commence walking. Setting out on foot you will start climbing along the “antica trazzera” (old route) towards the Santuario Maria S.S. del Rosario di Tagliavia. According to legend, in 1800 a rock with the sacred image of Mary was found by two shepherds, and in the same place while they were digging to build a fence for their animals they discovered a miraculous spring of water that healed King Ferdinado I di Borbone. The sanctuary was erected in 1841 and is a must-stop. Continue towards the peaks of Argentaria and Pizzo Nicolosi at the Gorges del Drago, and on to Corleone, sadly infamous for the Mafia, where you stay overnight. Enjoy the town's Spanish baroque influence or visit the Cidma museum, which recounts the history of the Cosa Nostra (allow an hour). Another interesting spot is the waterfall “delle due rocche”, 10 mins out of town.
Distance: 26.5km/16.5mi (ascent +872m/2861ft, descent -769m/2523ft)
Option to shorten: on request to the taxi driver this morning you can be dropped off at Sant'Agata (walk 5km less) if you wish to spend more time in Corleone. Alternatively you can have a longer walk, starting from Piana degli Albanesi (walk 5km extra).

Day 3 : Pass by waterfalls, vineyards and orchards enroute to medieval Prizzi (5hrs)

Location: Prizzi

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is a beautiful hike. The path will lead you through vineyards and open fields and past dry stone Masserie (country farms) where you may encounter a farmer who'll want you to try their freshly made ricotta! From the lake of Prizzi a steady climb takes you into town. Time to grab a cannolo with pistachio and candied orange!
Distance: 20.6km/13.8mi (ascent +885m/2904ft, descent -466m/1529ft)

Day 4 : Through a surprisingly green landscape to Castronovo di Sicilia, transfer to Cammarata (5hrs)

Location: Castronovo di Sicilia

Accommodation Name: agriturismo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

A large part of today’s walk is inside the peaceful Carcaci Natural reserve, home to numerous species of birds of prey and a beautiful piece of forest to discover. Through the trees you can see the abandoned village of Carcaci. Its old world charm remains, along with the unaltered symmetry of its cross-layout, rural structures and small stone church. In the last part inside the Bosco Comuni (Comuni forest) there are the typical “pagliai” farmers. On arrival at Castronovo there is a transfer (at 4pm, approx 25 mins) to your overnight accommodation, an agristurismo in Cammarata. Dinner is included tonight.
Distance: 24.5km/15.3mi (ascent +602m/1975ft, descent -894m/2933ft)

Day 5 : Walk in the shadow of Mount Cammarata (1600m) to Sutera (4.5hrs)

Location: Sutera

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Start your walk along the railway then gradually uphill to Acquaviva Platani. The Platani Valley is in front of you, and in the distance the charming villages of Mussomeli and Sutera, today's destination. The last part of the path to Sutera is along a stunning ridge. In Sutera, enjoy exploring the maze of alleys and chalk houses of the Rabato neighbourhood, founded by the Arabs around 860, and visit the rich ethnographic museum.
Distance: 15km/9.4mi (ascent +650m/2133ft, descent -700m/2297ft)

Day 6 : Descend to the river Gallodoro and continue to Racalmuto (6hrs)

Location: Racalmuto

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

You descend to the bed of the river Platani, which you ford and climb on the other side to Milena. Here the path goes up the hills that surrounds the village and gives you a panoramic overview of all the valleys nearby. Racalmuto, your destination today, is the hometown of the famous writer Leonardo Sciascia.
Distance: 23.5km/14.7mi (ascent +830m/2723ft, descent -1000m/3280ft)

Day 7 : Walk to the Baroque village of Aragona, train or optional transfer to Agrigento (3hrs)

Aerial. Agrigento. A city on the southern coast of Sicily, Italy and capital of the province of Agrigento. It is renowned as the site of the ancient Greek city of Akragas.
Temple of Concordia in Agrigento, Sicily, Italy at twilight.
Scala dei turchi in Agrigento, Sicily (Stair of the turks)

Location: Agrigento

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

On your walk today you will pass through several charming villages such as Grotte and Comitini, where the pace is slow and you'll find some fabulous arancini (fried rice balls filled with eg ragu or spinach and ham). The Baroque village of Aragona is below you with the sea just beyond. Descend to Aragona and take the train to Agrigento (payable locally) where your pilgrimage ends. Be sure to explore the old town and the Valley of the Temples.
* An optional transfer is available Aragona to Agrigento - must be pre-booked and pre-paid, please ask our consultants.
Distance 11.5km/7.2mi (ascent +225m/738ft, descent -332m/1089ft)

Day 8 : Trip concludes

Temple of Concordia in Agrigento, Sicily, Italy at twilight.
Aerial. Agrigento. A city on the southern coast of Sicily, Italy and capital of the province of Agrigento. It is renowned as the site of the ancient Greek city of Akragas.
Scala dei turchi in Agrigento, Sicily (Stair of the turks)

Location: Agrigento

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trip concludes after breakfast. We can assist with booking an extra night in Agrigento, please ask for our rates.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    7 nights in 3 star hotels B&B's and Agriturismos

  • 7 breakfasts, 1 dinner

  • 7 nights in 3 star hotels, B&B's and Agriturismo on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities (hotel taxes extra, payable locally - allow €5-10)

  • Digital information pack including smartphone app with maps and route book

  • Luggage transfer (max 1 piece, max weight 20kg and max size 60 x 50 x 40 cm per person). Supplement applies for excess

  • Transfer from Palermo to Santa Cristina Gela on day 2 and Castronovo to Cammarata on day 4

  • Credenziale - pilgrim's passport

  • Emergency hotline and SMS alert

  • Travel to Palermo and from Agrigento

  • Meals not listed as included, drinks

  • Travel insurance - mandatory

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What's Not Included

  • Travel to Palermo and from Agrigento

    Travel to the starting point in Palermo and from the endpoint in Agrigento is not included.

  • Meals not listed as included, drinks

    Meals not listed as included and drinks are not covered.

  • Travel insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.

  • Guide

    This is a self-guided walking holiday, so no guide is provided.

  • Entrance fees not listed as included

    Entrance fees to attractions not listed as included are not covered.

  • Solo traveler or single room supplement

    A supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.

  • Transfers not listed as included

    Transfers not listed as included in the itinerary are not covered.

  • Train or optional private transfer from Aragona to Agrigento

    Train or optional private transfer from Aragona to Agrigento on day 7 is not included.

  • Excess luggage

    A supplement applies for excess luggage beyond the included allowance.

  • Hotel tax

    Hotel tax, allowing EUR5-10 for the trip, is payable directly to the hotel.

  • Items of a personal nature

    Items of a personal nature such as drinks, souvenirs, phone calls, internet, and laundry are not included.

  • Meals not included

    Meals not included - lunches and 6 dinners. Allow EUR15-20 for each dinner and EUR5 for a picnic lunch.

  • Entrance fees

    Entrance fees to museums, galleries, and other attractions are not included.

What You Carry

As the walks are fully supported you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, water bottle, lunch supplies, mobile phone and sun protection etc.

Grading

This trip involves 6 days walking, with daily walks between 3 to 6 hours and distance from 11.5 to 26.5km / 7.8 to 16.6mi. The walks are moderate in mountainous terrain, with daily ascents and descents between 400 and 1000m per day, although the majority are not difficult and the trail is well marked. The terrain varies from paved secondary roads with little traffic, paths along fields and forests and gravel roads. There are a few streams to cross, some with very little water and some others that can be more difficult in case of rain. When it is possible we provide an alternative route in case of heavy rain and in the case of river Platani (day 6) a transfer can be arranged (locally) if it has been raining on previous days. It is essential that you have a good to excellent level of fitness and be comfortable walking in at times remote and always undulating terrain over a mixture of surfaces from rocky to grassy, asphalt to cobblestone. ...more ...less

Mode of Transport

Transportation includes a private transfer from Palermo to Santa Cristina Gela on day 2 and from Castronovo to Cammarata on day 4, with an optional train or private transfer from Aragona to Agrigento on day 7.

Accommodation

Enjoy 7 nights in comfortable 3-star hotels, charming B&Bs, and agriturismo accommodations, all on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?

    You will stay in 3-star hotels, B&Bs, and Agriturismo on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities. Hotel taxes are extra and payable locally, so you should allow EUR 5-10 for the trip.

  • Is this tour self-guided or will there be a guide?

    This is a self-guided walking holiday. You will receive a digital information pack including a smartphone app with maps and a route book to assist you.

  • What kind of support is available during the tour?

    The tour includes an emergency hotline and SMS alert for any urgent issues. Additionally, luggage transfer is provided, with a maximum of one piece per person, weighing up to 20kg and with maximum dimensions of 60 x 50 x 40 cm.

  • What meals are included in the tour package?

    The tour package includes 7 breakfasts and 1 dinner. Other meals, including lunches and 6 dinners, are not included. You should allow EUR 15-20 for each dinner and EUR 5 for a picnic lunch.

  • Are there any additional costs I should be aware of?

    Yes, additional costs include hotel taxes (EUR 5-10), meals not listed as included, drinks, travel insurance, entrance fees not listed as included, and any items of a personal nature. A supplement will also apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.

  • What should I carry with me during the walks?

    As the walks are fully supported, you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements, including wet weather gear, a water bottle, lunch supplies, a mobile phone, and sun protection.

  • What is the difficulty level of the walks?

    The walks are moderate in mountainous terrain, with daily ascents and descents between 400 and 1000 meters. The terrain varies from paved secondary roads with little traffic, paths along fields and forests, and gravel roads. It is essential to have a good to excellent level of fitness and be comfortable walking in undulating terrain over a mixture of surfaces.

  • What happens if it rains during the tour?

    In case of heavy rain, alternative routes are provided when possible. For example, on day 7, if the river Platani has been affected by rain, a transfer can be arranged locally.

  • Is there any historical significance to the places visited on this tour?

    Yes, you will follow in the footsteps of pilgrims from centuries ago and visit historical sites such as the Santuario Maria S.S. del Rosario di Tagliavia, the medieval town of Prizzi, and the Baroque village of Aragona. You will also explore the artistic melting pot of Palermo and the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento.

  • What kind of culinary experiences can I expect?

    You will have the opportunity to feast on local culinary delights and taste superb Sicilian wines. You may also encounter local farmers who will want you to try their freshly made ricotta, and you can enjoy local specialties like cannolo with pistachio and candied orange, and arancini.

  • How fit do I have to be?

    Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.

  • What happens if something goes wrong?

    On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.

  • I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?

    Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

V. Humphries(Australia)  

Sicily - Magna Via Francigena

1 Nov 2024

Terrific walk, going through picturesque villages, interesting rural countryside and some lovely forested areas. Features some amazing views. A substantial proportion is walking on paved roads, but the best bits are walking on single track or rural dirt roads.

M. Langley(Reservoir, Australia)  

Sicily - Magna Via Francigena

10 Oct 2023

First-time user of this type of tour (self-guided); pretty pleased with most aspects. Service desk was able to reschedule the start of the walk (due to cancelled flight), rearranged taxi transport from the airport as well as later call a B&B that was not answering my calls or knocks! GPS system worked well and they even arranged pretty good weather. ...more ...less

Dirk Reid(Chelmsford, , United Kingdom)  

Sicily - Magna Via Francigena

20 Jun 2024

Excellent organisation throughout, the information provided in advance was thorough, accurate and detailed. All the plans ran smoothly and as advertised. Highly recommended.

H. De Burgh(Dulwich Hill, Australia)  

Sicily - Magna Via Francigena

19 Oct 2024

A wonderful journey through Sicily's lesser-known interior. Beautiful hilltop towns, rolling hills of olives, vines. Staggering mountain scenery. Friendly and welcoming people. Delicious food and wine. A slice of Heaven! And, as always, the people at UTracks made it go like clockwork. I did the easy bit! ...more ...less

S. Reynolds(Dublin, Ireland)  

Sicily - Magna Via Francigena

5 Oct 2023

Route is super, rated as moderate, but with the temp in September at ~35 degrees, I found it strenuous. I have previously completed some Spanish Caminos (French, Portuguese and Primitivo) and for comparison, the Sicilian route is more remote with no online services, we met no other hikers, so having sufficient water (3 to 4 litres) and energy drink is recommended. The towns on the route are fabulous with good food and accommodation. You’ll need google translate if u have no Italian / Sicilian. Great trip and highly recommended. ...more ...less

Howel Williams(Sandy Bay, TAS, Australia)  

Sicily - Magna Via Francigena

21 Jun 2024

The company provides a level of service that looks after the detail (baggage, accomm. route etc) and lets you concentrate on getting the best out of the walk.

B. Clarke(Bright, Australia)  

Sicily - Magna Via Francigena

31 Oct 2024

A fantastic experience! You will be welcomed by locals and have plenty of hills. Their organisation is seamless.

Jeff Pullicino Orlando(Zebbug, Malta)  

Sicily - Magna Via Francigena

19 Jun 2024

An enjoyable trek with my son, across what - for us - was a previously unexplored part of an island we have come to love - Sicily.

K. Hawkins(Wongaling Beach, Australia)  

Sicily - Magna Via Francigena

30 May 2024

The path less travelled!

K. Hawkins(Wongaling Beach, Australia)  

Sicily - Magna Via Francigena

16 Oct 2023

A very interesting adventure on the Magna Via Francigena self guided walk in Sicily. We got to see the "true" Sicily, well away from the busy cities.

Read all 17 reviews

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

Sicily - Magna Via Francigena

8 Days Starting in Palermo, Italy and ending in Agrigento, Italy

Visiting: Palermo, Corleone, Prizzi, Castronovo di Sicilia, Sutera, Racalmuto, Agrigento

Tour operator:

UTracks

Tour code:

MFS

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

moderate to challenging

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Small Group, Walking Hiking and Trekking

Interests:

Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History

From: $1250 (USD)

NB: Prices correct on 26-Mar-2025 but subject to change.