Cefalù - Etna

Allocation of the horses and saddle up before departing at 9am to ride in the countryside around Castelbuono, a destination full of history and tradition not to be missed. The trail leads through the largest cork forest of Sicily to Geraci which is a thousand meters high and which is well known for its castle and mineral water. After a short stop riders start an ancient abandoned path that leads to "Casalvecchio Geraci" in the afternoon.  Accommodation is in this beautiful farmhouse, surrounded by stunning countryside and wheat fields. A delicious meal of local produce will be provided by your hosts.

Riders have a chance to explore an old 'trezza', an ancient route dating back to the Bourbon kings, which offers scenic views. Riders pick their way to an altitude of about a thousand feet before arriving at Malpassetto, the border of the provinces of Palermo, Enna and Messina. A picnic lunch is served in the "Sambughetti-Campanito" nature reservation before entering the territory of Nicosia and Cerami. The ride continues down an old, steep path set in a forest of cork. Today's ride stops at the agriturismo Monte Soprano (or similar), the accommodation for the night. 

Today's destination is the Park of Nebrodi. En-route, the trail passes along a dirt road named "The Ridge" located between forests and high mountains pastures. From here one can witness a magnificent view of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Aeolian Islands and, on the other side of the Sicilian hinterland, the provinces of Enna, Caltanissetta, Agrigento, Siracusa, Catania and Etna. The sanfratellani horses, a large-headed, native breed, can be seen in the territory of San Fratello. The ride continues  through the beech woods, reaching a small clearing in the shade of trees near a natural spring (Nocita), where a picnic lunch.will be served. The rday's ride end at Relais Villa Miraglia in Cesarò, where a sumptuous dinnerwhich includes local Nebrodi products, is served.

This is the longest and the most beautiful stage of the trail, as it follows 40 kilometres of the "Dorsale del Nebrodi" with its panoramic views of the mountains, forests and lakes. Along the way is the lake Maulazzo, dominated by Mount Soro, the highest peak in Nebrodi (1847 meters) and the famous lake "Biviere di Cesaro", stopping place for migratory birds. Continue along the "Dorsale" where lush forests give way to panoramic clearings, from here one can see the Aeolian Islands to the north and the majestic peak of Mount Etnato the south. The day ends at a farmhouse in Monte Colla (dating back to the 18th century), the overnight accommodation.

Today's ride starts on the road to Randazzo with a magnificent view of Mt. Etna along the way. Randazzo is a well-known and well preserved town dating back to the reign of ancient Greece. Enjoy a picnic lunch near the town before continuing along the valley of the Alcantara river and arriving in the territory of Castiglione di Sicilia (Catania province)., and 'Al Vecchio Torchio', the accommodation for the night located just below the slopes of Etna.

Today's ride passes through an amazing agricultural area offering views of different crops such as peaches, almonds, olive groves, and vineyards, surrounded by dry walls of lava stone. The trail enters the Etna Natural Park, riding through beautiful forests of pine and oak, with views across the mountains of Sicily and Calabria before riding into the "Ragabo" pine forest, about 1500 meters above sea level, and a stop for lunch.

After lunch the ride continues to climb through the pine forests all the way to Piano Provenzano, which is about 1800 meters above sea level. Depending on weather and volcanic conditions it may be possible to climb up to the craters of the last great eruption in 2002. At the end of the day the ride descends to spend the second and final evening at "Al Vecchio Torchio Del Casale".

Breakfast and transfer to the airport of Catania for the trip home.