Bike Tour: Etna in 1 week

An exciting week-long mountain bike tour full of fun and breathtaking scenery.
During the 7-day tour you will have the opportunity to discover the most beautiful parts of the Etna territory, including Mount Etna, the Simeto valley, the nature reserve of the Alcantara and the Nebrodi Regional Park.
You will be accompanied, during your journey, with unique colours, scenes and emotions.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL: pick-up and transfer from the airport to the accommodation (B&B) situated in Aci Castello. Briefing, assigning of bikes and information material
DAY 2 - SOUTHERN ETNA: after a briefing with the staff that will explain the itinerary, you will set off to discover the Cyclops Riviera, the coastal area of Catania rich with mythical stories. It will then be time to head up the southern slopes of Etna on an ascent that will take you past the town of Nicolosi, climbing to an altitude of 2000m at the Sapienza Refuge. Here you can relax and enjoy the view, or, for the fitter ones, you can take the cable car (not included) up to 2500m, pedalling on a dirt track up to 3000m. Once re-charged, it's time to descend, passing Zafferana Etnea, at 547m asl before comfortably reaching the departure point, Aci Castello. 90km. Uphill climb: 2000m.
DAY 3 - ALCANTARA VALLEY: you will discover the wonders of the Alcantara valley, following the river along mainly dirt tracks. You will start the trail at Aci Castello, passing the fishing villages of Acitrezza, Capomulini, Acireale, Santa Tecla and Stazzo before reaching Riposto. From there it's time to climb towards Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, then the Alcantara Valley. Along the way you'll see wonderful nature and culture, charming fishing villages and a great river. In the afternoon you will return to your accommodation in Randazzo, where you will find your luggage (transported to the location free of charge). 78km. Uphill climb: 1200m.
DAY 4 - THE WINE ROUTE: this route takes you along the Northern slopes of Etna, following for some of the way the Wine Road of Etna, a trail set up by the Province of Catania to promote and encourage quality viticulture in the area, including vineyards, winecellars and farms, wine shops, museums about wine-making, information centres and companies specialising in high quality productions and tourist accommodation. Descending from Randazzo you will meet Fornazzo at 824m, before climbing again to reach Piano Provenzana, a ski station at 1810m. From here, on dirt tracks, you will head to the 'Grotta dei Lamponi', the 'raspberry cave,' formed of a lava flow at 1745m and discovered in 1965 by a group on an escursion. The tour will continue on the 'Quota mille' road which will take you back to your accommodation in Randazzo. There will be the chance to experience a winetasting (not included) in a winecellar along the way. 90km. Uphill climb: 2000m.
DAY 5 - NEBRODI PARK: the fifth day is an intense day on a dirt track in discovery of the Nebrodi Park, the largest protected area in Sicily, full of stunning landscapes and breathtaking views, including a view over the Eolian islands. You will head to Montalbano Elicona, a quaint little town recognised as one of the "Most beautiful towns in Italy". In the afternoon you will return to the accommodation in Randazzo. 70km. Uphill climb: 1300m.
DAY 6 - SIMETO VALLEY: the last trail will be from Randazzo to the Simeto valley, a nature reserve of approximately 2000 hectares, along the mouth of the Simeto river. During this challenging ride, you will climb back up the river in mountain bike, on a hilly dirt track which will lead you to the Castle of the Baroness Poira, now a ruin, where you'll stop for a packed lunch. After the break it's time to head off again to tackle a mule track typical of this area, made of cobbles and slabs reminiscent of the Dolomites, before finally reaching the embankment of the river. Now it's a hard climb to Troina in the Nebrodi Park, in a mountainous zone characterised by woods and pastureland. 115km. Uphill climb: 1600m
DAY 7 - DEPARTURE: Departure and transfer to the airport. Of course it will be possible to modify the itinerary depending on your needs.

Pick-up: included from the airport of Catania or your accommodation in Catania.

Accommodation for 6 nights in a B&B.
Mountain bike rental, helmet: included.