Just west of Palermo’s markets is a beautiful and rugged coastline where the wild Egadi islands lie in a crystalline sea and inland, ancient Greek temples sparkle in a wonderfully luminous valley; this is Sicily in all its glorious contrasts; where Art and nature combine to present this magnificent, easy to moderate self-guided walking holiday.
Discover the historic cities of western Sicily and the wonderful natural landscapes that this part of the Sicilian region has to offer. Starting from the medieval village of Scopello, we will walk along the Zingaro Nature Reserve with enchanting views of the Mediterranean. See San Vito Lo Capo, a famous destination for the culinary specialty of couscous, and visit the Egadi island where you can savour the authentic local life of the islands. The precious archaeological site of Segesta, as well as the cities of Trapani and Palermo, complete this experience of Sicily in all its glorious contrasts.
Price:
£865.00 per person based on two people sharing.
Supplement for departures from 25th June – 30th July & 26th August – 30th September £60
Single supplement £170
Solo walker supplement £450
Included:
day 1 (from Punta Raisi APT to Scopello HTL),
day 3 (from Scopello HTL to Monte Monaco and from San Vito lo Capo to Trapani HTL),
day 5 (from Trapani to Segesta and back),
day 7 ( from Trapani to Palermo)
Not Included:
Day 1: Arrive Scopello
Arrival at Palermo/Trapani airport and private transfer to Scopello. Delivery of documents and overnight.
Day 2: Riserva dello Zingaro (5h trek, +500 mt – 530 mt, 11,50 km)
The Zingaro Park: the coastline that stretches between Scopello and San Vito Lo Capo has become a nature reserve, the first established in Sicily, since 1980. It is one of the unspoiled and most charming areas in Sicily and can be explored only on foot. The reserve is a place of great value not only for the beauty of the little bays where you can stop for a refreshing swim, but, above all, for the presence of its wildlife. You can stop for a swim or climb up the mountain to enjoy a wonderful view on the Gulf of Castellammare. Visiting the Museum of Contrada Sughero it’ll be possible to discover usages and customs of the people that lived in the Park at the beginning of the twentieth century. Accommodation in Scopello.
Day 3: Towards San Vito Lo Capo & Monte Monaco hike (2½ hours, + 480m, – 350m, 6,4 km)
This morning you will enjoy a nice moderate walk up to Monte Monaco in San Vito Lo Capo town. Mt Monaco owes its name to the particular shape that reminds one of a kneeling monk with hands clasped in prayer. After the walk, enjoy the idillyc beaches of San Vito or taste its popular couscous, still prepared according to the ancient Tunisian recipe. Private transfer to Trapani and overnight stay.
Day 4: Levanzo (3h30 trek, + 200 – 200 mt, 13 km)
Hydrofoil to Levanzo. The smallest of the Egadi Islands, Levanzo show us a jewel from the past: the “Cave of Genovese” dated back to 11-12 thousand years ago, during the final phase of Palaeolithic. Primitive human messages etched into the cave, prehistoric sanctuary where religion and culture take their first steps between graffiti and rock paintings of men and animals, joined in an ancestral link. Engravings, graffiti, and paintings showing deer, cows, horses, fish and humans: they represents an inestimable archaeological documentation besides a very suggestive show. Sea gulls and Mediterranean countryside will be the true protagonists of our trekking. Hydrofoil back to Trapani and overnight stay.
Day 5: M.te Pispisa and Segesta (3h30 trek, + 300 mt – 300 mt, 9,50 km)
Private transfer to Segesta Train station. We walk in the gentle countryside of the Val d’Erice, exploring one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in Sicily: Segesta. The ancient city founded in the fourth century BC preserves the Doric Temple and the Theatre which opens onto the surrounding hills. Climb up to the summit of Mt Pispisa and enjoy the view of the archaeological area, appreciating its size and the excellent preservation. After the hike, a short transfer will take you to the archaeological area for the visit at your leisure. Private transfer back to Trapani. Overnight stay in Trapani.
Day 6: Visit Erice (2h trek– 650 mt, 6 km)
Enjoy visiting Trapani before your excursion to the nearby medieval town of Erice. Wandering through the narrow alleys and cobbled streets of Erice, returning to the medieval period when the town was founded. Start your descent towards Trapani enjoying amazing views over the “Saline” of Paceco and the Aegadian islands from above. Overnight in Trapani.
Day 7: Palermo
Private transfer to the capital of Sicily, Palermo. Time to visit this vibrant, charming town full of masterpieces, local markets and secret corners. Overnight stay in Palermo.
Day 8: End of tour after breakfast
Skill level:
Moderate. A prior hiking experience is recommended. During the wintertime the weather conditions could be difficult (strong wind, rain and cold temperatures). The typology of the paths are: large dirt road, mule track and large path.
Accommodation:
Ensuite rooms with breakfasts.
2 nights in B&B or hotel*** in Scopello
4 nights in charming B&B or hotel*** in Trapani
1 night in charming B&B or hotel*** in Palermo
Equipment:
Trekking shoes, trekking socks, trekking t-shirt, warm shell, wind and waterproof jacket, hat and gloves, bathing suit, sunglasses and sun cream, daily backpack and a luggage, poles, utility knife.
Some transfer will be on a private vehicle some other will be on public transportation. We suggest you to bring a daily back pack (30 lt) and a wheel luggage for the short distances.
How to get there:
The closest airports are Palermo or Trapani airport. You will get a private transfer from the airport to the first accommodation.
