Journey Through Time: Hike Sicily's Magna Via Francigena Trail

Italy

Country

8 days

Duration

Easy

Difficulty

Breakfast

Board

Welcome to the captivating Magna Via Francigena trail, a journey from Palermo to Agrigento, weaving history, culture, and natural wonders across Sicily.

In Palermo, explore a rich history woven with Arab, Norman, and Baroque influences. Discover the Palermo Cathedral and wander through bustling markets, savoring authentic Sicilian street food.

Tour Highligts

Traverse Sicily’s countryside, meandering through vineyards and olive groves.
Encounter timeless villages and relish panoramic coastal views on the tranquil Magna Via Francigena trail.
Immerse yourself in Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at remarkably preserved Greek temples, including the iconic Temple of Concordia.

Join us on this odyssey through time, where every step uncovers Sicily’s beauty along the Magna Via Francigena trail. Embrace the tranquility of its countryside and stand in awe of Agrigento’s ancient marvels. In just a few days, experience the essence of Sicily, from the vibrant streets of Palermo to the serene landscapes that characterize the Magna Via Francigena trail. This curated journey promises a perfect blend of cultural immersion and natural splendor, leaving you with indelible memories of Sicily’s unique treasures.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

7 nights with breakfast in double/twin room*

Private transfers day 1 and 4

Credential of Magna Via Francigena

Detailed route description with maps

Travel App (maps, tracks, route notes)

Luggage transportation hotel to hotel

Phone assistance 08:00-20:00

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

Transport to Palermo and back from Agrigento

Other meals and drinks

Public transport day 7

Entrance fees and tips

Hotel tourist taxes

Insurance and everything not listed as “Included”

*Based on two participants in double room. For single travellers, 210 euro will be added for single use of double room.

Additional information

Month	April, February, July, June, March, May, November, October, September
Tour type	Self-guided
Accomodation	Comfort
Dog friendly	Yes

Embark on the captivating Magna Via Francigena trail from Palermo to Agrigento. Explore Palermo’s rich history, traverse Sicily’s countryside, and marvel at Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples. Immerse yourself in a curated journey blending cultural discovery and natural splendor through Sicily’s unique treasures.

Day 1: Benvenuti in Sicily! Palermo and Santa Cristina Gela

Private transfer from Palermo (center or airport) to Santa Cristina Gela, where you will spend the first night.

Day 2: From Santa Cristina Gela to Corleone

Natural background of the day will be the Bosco della Ficuzza and Rocca Busambra, one of the Natural Reserves of the Sicily Region. At the picturesque Tagliavìa Monastery, you can freshen up and fill your water bottles. You will follow to Corleone, a town known for mafia facts, but also rich in history and churches: it is renowned the Monastery of the Franciscan Friars Minor Renewed, located on an inaccessible fortress in the center of the village. Overnight in Corleone.

Tour Data:

Distance: 25km

Up: 600m

Down: 750m

Day 3: From Corleone to Prizzi

The stretch of the Magna Via Francigena that connects Corleone to Prizzi, was a royal green lane always been crossed by the people who have inhabited this wet and wooded part of Sicily: often the paths of transhumance and main and secondary roads have coincided with the pilgrims’ route.
Overnight in Prizzi.

Tour Data:

Distance: 19km

Up: 750m

Down: 350m

Day 4: From Prizzi to Cammarata

Leaving Prizzi behind you, today you will cross the Carcaci Mountains Nature Reserve, between wetlands and forests, along a landscape rich in
biodiversity. At the end of your walk you will reach Castronovo di Sicilia. Kars-nubu for the Arabs, this “fortified fortress” has become Castrum for the Normans.
Transfer to Cammarata for the overnight.
➡ On request it is possible to shorten today’s stage from 25 to 19km.

Tour Data:

Distance: 19/25km

Up: 450/550m

Down: -550/800m

Day 5: From Cammarata to Sutera

The Platani River feeds this land, its valley is rich in pastures and fruits of eastern origin such as green pistachios and juicy mountain peaches.
You are about to enter the County of Caltanissetta. Farmhouses and masserias are places for a break along the way.
Overnight in Sutera.
➡ Even today you can request to shorten the walking stage from 20 to 13km with a short transfer at the beginning fo the day.

Tour data:

Distance: 20km

Up: 700m

Down: 750m

Day 6: From Sutera to Racalmuto

The story continues to show itself to the wayfarers: the Roman bridge of Campofranco, the Sicilian thòlos tombs of Milena, the Neolithic settlements (5000 BC) of Serra del Palco. Your daily destination is Racalmuto, the country of sulfur mines and the writer Leonardo Sciascia.

Tour Data:
Distance: 22km
Up: 750m
Down: 900m

Day 7: From Racalmuto to Agrigento

Penultimate day: the steps get slower, partly because of tiredness and partly because of the fear that everything will end too soon!
The earth smells of sulfur around here, and the mines tell you about it. Along the way, the Petra of Calathansuderj, a Byzantine-Arab-Norman
stronghold, shows you the direction of Aragon.
At the end of this walk, you will catch a train and reach Agrigento for the last night.

Tour Data:

Distance: 13km

Up: 250m

Down: 400m

Day 8: Arrivederci Agrigento!

After breakfast end of services. Don’t miss the Monastery of Santo Spirito and the Valley of the Temples.

Palermo is easily reachable by train, bus, car and by air.

BY TRAIN. Trenitalia connects the main Italian cities with the capital of Sicily. From Milan it takes from 15 to 20 hours of travel, with 1 or two
changes; from Rome about 11/12 hours with direct line. On www.viaggiatreno.it you can find update informations about train routes.

BY AIR. Palermo Airport Falcone e Borsellino is well connected to the most important Italian and foreign cities.

The airport is about 35km from the city and is well connected with the bus service of the Prestia e Comandè bus lines. More information at the
following link.

The train service to and from the airport has also been reactivated, for information and timetables refer to the Trenitalia website.

BY BUS. Palermo is also accessible by bus. Here some of the major operating companies: Marinobus, Baltour & Flixbus, Sais autolinee, Buscenter.

BY CAR. To get to Palermo by car, there are convenient maritime connections departing from Naples, Livorno, Genoa, Tunis. Instead, crossing the Strait of Messina, take the A20 Messina-Palermo, a very suggestive but very busy route.

Back to Palermo
From Agrigento it is possible to reach Palermo using the regional connections of Trenitalia. The train ticket is about € 10.00; travel time is
approximately 2hrs.

Equipment and clothing to bring for Alpine hikes and runs
We’ve compiled a list of essential items you’ll need to take on your adventure in the Great Outdoors. While each trip has its own minimum requirements, we have split the list into “need-to-have” and “nice-to-haves”.

Need to have:

Lightweight, waterproof shell
Sunscreen with a high factor
Smartphone with a relevant trip app and a WhatsApp and code number for your local representative
Survival blanket
Thin hat, cap, and thin gloves (merino or similar)
Daypack for hiking (tours with luggage transport)
Duffel bag or similar (trips with luggage transport) — DO NOT pack in suitcases.
30 L rucksack on trips up to six days (without luggage transport)
40 L rucksack on trips of more than six days (without luggage transport)
Quick-drying inner layer
Shorts (quick drying)
Technical t-shirt (quick drying)
Fleece sweater for cool evenings
A pair of comfortable jogging bottoms or similar for the cabins
Good mountain shoes — trail running shoes or hiking boots
Light towel
Water bottle (1.5 L)
A pair of thick socks or light slippers (you can often borrow a pair in the cabins)
Sunglasses
A few energy bars, fruits or similar snacks for the trip
Sheet liner — can also be purchased on-site (only if you are staying in a dormitory)
Small first aid kit
Comped or similar
Sleeping bag (on selected tours)