We will start from the cablecar station of Taormina and then follow the Ionian coast where we can admire the wild beauty of the natural reserve of “Isola Bella”. We will continue towards the southern direction and, after Capo Taormina, we will arrive in Giardini Naxos: first official greek colony in Sicily and famous nowadays for its beautiful beaches, restaurants and nightlife. Moving from here to Calatabiano, dominated by its Arab-Norman castle; we’ll go through the inhabited center, continue into the valley and then climb up the river Alcantara until we get to the famous gorges: a natural canyon made of cliffs that are 50 m high and from 2 to 5 meters wide. Here it will be possible to admire the suggestive basaltic formations.
Once we leave the gorges we will take back our bikes and continue along the valley, reaching the village of Francavilla di Sicilia, where we advice you a little stop to taste a delicious granita.
After that, we will go forward climbing up the river till we get the famous “Cuba” of Santa Domenica, a rural chapel built between the X and the XI century. Here is where it starts the climb to Castiglione di Sicilia, village of wine, until we arrive to the Lauria Castle, built in the XII century. From here it will be possible to appreciate the gorgeous views on the valley and Mount Etna.
We will then begin our discent back to the sea following the riverbed until we get back to Taormina.