Biking around the volcano

This itinerary is of a medium-challenging difficulty and it’s possible to do it on electrical or regular bike. A tour to see Etna at 360°, discovering the villages along its slopes, trying to understand how people live on the highest active volcano of Europe. Little spoiler: great!

The schedule will allow you to admire how the landscape changes according to the slope and the altitude, everything under the eyes of “Mamma Etna” that will never leave you.

We will start from Nicolosi, “the doorway to Etna” located on the southern flank of the volcano. Our round trip will continue heading to Belpasso, “The chessboard of Etna”, where we advice a stop at the famous bar Condorelli, where it will be possible to taste the local goodness. Continuing to the west, we will cycle through the little villages of S. Maria di Licodia, Biancavilla and Adrano. This last village is dominated by a powerful Norman Castle built with lava rock. The tour will continue to Bronte, where it’s impossible not to notice the massive coltivation of pistachio trees that grow on arid and jagged slopes of Etna.
Once in the village, you can’t thelp not to be tempted by the typical specialities made of pistachio.

After Bronte, we will face the climb to Fontemurata and we’ll continue on the descent to Randazzo, wonderful medieval town located on the northen flank of the volcano. The town is located between three natural parks: Mount Etna, Nebrodi Mountains and Alcantara River. After a little visit of the village, we will continue on the east direction crossing the little villages of Passopisciaro and Solicchiata. Here we are in one of the best areas of wine production, we will follow a lovely road surrounded by vineyards and stunning views.

We will continue until Linguaglossa, located on the north-east flank of the volcano. Here, cycling along a panoramic road surrounded by woods, we’ll head to Milo and then down to Zafferana, the village of honey, where it will be possible to stop for a sampling of honeys or try a typical speciality: Sicilian Pizza! After Zafferana, we will go towards the south flank of Etna to close our loop itinerary. We will be back to Nicolosi passing from the villages of Trecastagni and Pedara.