At the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East and Europe, Sicily is pure magic. Cycle the breathtaking landscapes around, Syracuse (a Greek-Roman-Byzantine-Bourbon-Arab-Norman-Aragonese-Italian city with an island historical centre), and Val di Noto (a valley of lovely towns built during the flowering of the European Baroque and surrounded by wine-rich countryside).
HIGHLIGHTS
- Strolling through Syracuse’s ancient historical centre (with a chocolate granita in hand)
- Refreshing swims in sparkling sea at exotic Marzememi
- Relax over a glass of Nero d’Avola wine in Noto’s historical city centre
- Learn to cook traditional Sicilian dishes on a small farm
- A rustic tradition of homemade farm-fresh cooking throughout!
This bike route winds entirely across the countryside of the Hyblaean area, walking on this path will be an amazing chance to discover and visit many of the marvellous naturalistic sites which embellish this part of land. We set off at Cava d’Ispica, a 13 km-long canyon still preserving its untainted ecosystem, then we cross an area famous for the presence of the oldest trees in Sicily which leads us to Frigintini, a village clustering farms devoted to high-quality production. The next step is the crossing of another valley, chiselled by Fiumara creek, heading to Scicli where we will finally enjoy some rest and relax in the countryside surrounding Sicily Bike Routes info point.
This itinerary will lead you through the discovery of Europe’s most southern shoreline with its marvellous beaches of golden, satin sand from the Sahara desert and its lush Mediterranean dune vegetation.
You will cross Scicli picturesque countryside, just along the coast, in a delightful visit of the town historic centre – famous for hosting the TV police department of Montalbano – plunging in a maze of narrow streets and alleys almost untouched by time.
DAY 1 – Post-Trip Romp Through Syracuse
A picture‐perfect blend of history, beauty, seaside fun and culinary delights, Syracuse, is one of Sicily’s most important and visited cities.
It has fantastic ruins ‐ including one of the world’s largest intact Greek theatres; a lovely Baroque old quarter; one of Italy’s finest archaeological museums; and the only stands of papyrus that grow in Europe (gifted by the Egyptian ruler Ptolemy II). Welcome meeting
by a Bike cafè in Ortigia.
DAY 2 – From Siracusa to Noto (Luoghi di Montalbano) and Its nature reserve
We’ll hop on and ride along the Ionian coast passing through seaside-villages as Ognina and Fontane Bianche. and Avola, well known for Its pastry made of almond.
Here we will have two options to reach Noto.
A more challenging ride: Hop on your bike along a difficult climbing to Avola Antica and “Cavagrande del Cassibile nature reserve”. Here the landscape begins to change, now dominated by “Sicily’s Grand Canyon,” the deepest canyon in Europe, whose steep walls descend 800 feet to a picturesque river below. The land is protected both for its fascinating geology and for its architectural remains. We then continue riding through the country toward the ruined site of “Ancient Noto” which was levelled by the 1693 earthquake. From here you can stretch your legs on a fun downhill toward San Corrado and finally Noto.
An easier ride: continue riding down the coast toward the south and then through a quiet road in the country of Noto.
Noto, capital of Sicilian Baroque and a living art gallery. Its historical centre is rich with churches, aristocratic palaces, stately piazzas and beautiful streets, both grand and small which wind harmoniously about one another. A perfect location for the shooting of the world-wide known TV series “Inspector Montalbano”. Noto, along with every other city in the area, was completely razed by a devastating earthquake in 1693, after which the noble aristocracy decided to rebuild the city stone‐for‐stone, 3km from its original site!. Tasting in a wine cellar in the historic Noto.
DAY 3 Buonivini district tour
– Departure from Noto toward the Southernmost point in Sicily and Italy.
Visit the Roman Villa Tellaro, a 4th century partially‐excavated palace boasting magnificent floor mosaics ‐ they tell stories of roman life with scenes of hunting, erotic dances, Illiad tales, and unusual geometric designs.
Riding through Contrada Buonivini, the cradle of Nero d’Avola. The easy routes run through vineyards, citrus and almond groves offering spectacular views. All around, old palm groves and modern cellars are scattered, just pick one for a guided tour and a degustation. Arriving at
Marzamemi is a dive in the past: the milieu of tonnare, the boat sheds for tonnaroti and their houses, the palace of the local ruling aristocratic family have been restored and converted into restaurants, cafés and boutiques.
Afternoon experience
We set off at the near marvellous Vendicari nature reserve, to be visited only on foot.
day 4 – from Noto vineyards to Modica through its country-side
Our ride follows the cycle paths of wine in Val di Noto softly entering Noto countryside to cross Tellaro valley along the river. Once on top a stunning view of the Hyblean Plateau will delight you.
In this stage, you will get acquainted with a varied food production of peasant tradition, from bread to scacce, from honey to cheese oil and wine.
A lovely view of the extreme eastern spur of Hyblean Mountains, marking the border between the Siracusa and Noto provinces. The peaceful and quiet mule-track is shaded by the wide crowns of carob trees skirting it for many kilometres.
LONGER OPTION
The diversion to the MONUMENTAL TREES area will give you the chance to take some pics of these exemplars of carob and olive trees, aged 600-1000 years.
You can admire the Tellaro valley and Cava Paradiso a bit further.
Heading to Frigintini, we pedal in the peaceful scenery of centennial trees, caves and terraces. The road is uphill, but once our goal is reached we can enjoy a stop at one of the typical trattorie. Frigintini is a little rural hamlet in the inner countryside of Modica renowned for its olive oil and its charming trattorie, where eating legumes, scacce and local meat or to have some rest in farms, nestled among orchards; a particular mention for Terrasol farm and its scented olive oil and certified wines.
SHORTER OPTION
We will bike directly towards Modica along its lively rural district. This section of the route, along old roads and the typical carob tree and old farmhouse with its continuing series of ups and downs, is quite demanding, but your effort will be rewarded by views of unequalled beauty at each turn or hill.
A panoramic downhill will disclose to you the beauty of the monuments of Modica
The stroll continues in the historic neighbourhoods of the city centre: alleys, little steps and medieval streets will lead you to the spectacular stairways of the most majestic churches. Modica is well worth a break to revel in the sweets of Sicilian pastry and the delicious chocolate.
day 5: From Modica to Scicli, its countryside and coastline
We leave Modica going on through the Fiumara valley surrounded by a lush vegetation: this wild wooded part of the route leads you straight to Scicli’s historic centre. Mormino Penna street lures visitors with the incredible sight of the ensemble of baroque churches and palaces nestling in just 300 metres. From now on we will dedicate to the local cheeses experience.
The undisputed protagonist, a rural view as far as the eye can see, dominated by carob, a tree of Middle-eastern origin appearing during the Arabian period.
We pedal through a still-preserved rural area, among Scicli and Modica, where many estates appear, testifying a rich agriculture in the last centuries: just appreciate this flavours from the past, visiting genuine and family-run farms; we’ll sample mozzarella and ricotta cheese. While pedalling, you‘ll enjoy beautiful views of Mediterranean sea and of local canyons around (Cava in native language) as Cava Santa Maria la Nova and Cava Cugno; this last one offers the opportunity of an easy loop-hiking, through ancient trails
and traces of country life. From here you’ll have two options:
– shorter riding: come back to Scicli and explore its historic part, choose the right spot, a local restaurant or pizzeria or a genuine ice-cream shop where to spend your evening time
– longer riding: reach the sea-side and the picturesque old fishermen village of Sampieri. Hop-on your saddle and come back to Scicli or just ask for the assistance of our bike van.
Day 6
You will cross Scicli picturesque countryside, just along the coast, in a delightful visit of the town historic centre – famous for hosting the TV police department of Montalbano – plunging in a maze of narrow streets and alleys almost untouched by time.
This itinerary starts on a panoramic road coasting the Irminio river valley. Once we get to its mouth we suggest a stop to hike on the paths of the reserve.
The cycle trip goes on between Marina di Ragusa and Marina di Modica along the most southern coastline in Europe.
We pedal a few steps away from the sea, along beaches or rocks just opposite Africa.
Out of Cava d’Aliga, we get back to the peace of the countryside. Along the coast road, we meet Sampieri and its ancient fishermen houses. Here you can opt for some relax in one of the many chalets, beaches or cliffs at Costa di Carro and Punta Pisciotto.
The road goes on among olive groves, carobs and sceneries that change along the seasons: vast lawn flowers in spring, the flavour of carobs in autumn and the silence of the countryside in summer scratched only by cicadas melodies.
Along the way you cannot resting at Aprile Brothers to taste their olive oil and at “Gli Aromi” farm for an emotional experience smelling the scents of Mediterranean bushes and herbs.
By the dairy farm Sgarlata you can taste ricotta cheese and deliciously flavoured caciotte or have a dinner with typical local food.
COASTLINE DIVERSION
If you want to keep going along the Southernmost coastline in Europe, just head towards the East, reaching Marina di Modica and Punta Regilione on the cycle path, then you can head inland connecting with the first option route.