Catania

Bike Tours

Your cycling adventure begins with traveling to the northern part of the volcano. Upon arrival, get kitted out with all the necessary biking equipment and then get ready for the ride of your life. Follow your guide along a dirt path that journeys upwards, passing by vast ancient craters and fascinating lava flows. Along the way, admire the stark contrast of the volcano landscape that is unlike anything else on earth, and marvel at the views back down to the towns below. Arrive at the Volcanological Observatory at an altitude of 2800 meters and regain your strength as you relax against a backdrop of panoramic views. Gaze upon the summit craters of Etna, the Ionian Sea and the Valle del Bove, as well as giving yourself a pat on the back for your achievement.

When you arrive at the start point of your mountain bike trail, get kitted out with all the necessary equipment and your professional mountain e-bike.  Ride on a mixture of fun country trails with terrains ranging from volcanic sand to lava rocks. Listen to your certified mountain bike guide who will advise the most suitable route for you and explain the peculiarities of the trail. All guides are local, energetic and passionate about this sport, so they will be able to convey to you their passion and knowledge about this wonderful region.

Visiting Mount Etna and the surrounding area by mountain bike is a unique experience that will give you the chance to see uncontaminated landscapes, between ancient lava flows and old craters, passing through oak and pine woods. The tour will start from the southern part of the Volcano, which in recent years has been hit by lava flows. This is one of the most beautiful sides of the volcano because during the tour it is possible to admire the contrast between the dark rocks and the vegetation (like the broad-leaved woods). On the path there are some alpine houses and a beautiful fracture cave "Santa Barbara". The climate of the region makes it possible for tours to operate all year around.

Start with pickup from your hotel in Taormina or Giardini Naxos. Your tour will start from the southern part of the Etna volcano. After reaching Rifugio Sapienza, ride along a dirt path with your guides for a total height difference of about 1,200 meters, between ancient craters and recent lava flows. Arrive at the Etna Observatory at an altitude of 2,800 meters. Admire an extraordinary panorama, with views of the summit craters of Etna, the Ionian Sea and the Valle del Bove. Next, visit one of the area’s top organic farms to taste products such as honey, olive oil, and wine. Later, put on a helmet and headlamp and head inside a lava cave to learn how lava flows are formed, before returning to the starting point.

Take a ride through the most distinctive streets of Catania and admire magnificent monuments dating back to various historical periods, from ancient Greek and Roman to Baroque and much more. Go beyond the city center and explore panoramic coastal roads while hearing the stories and legends of the area from your expert guide. Then, arrive at Aci Castello, and marvel at the Norman castle built high up on the rock with spectacular views of the sea. Next stop: Aci Trezza. Visit this quaint fishing village with views of the Cyclopean Isles, home to the mythic cyclopes. Admire the natural beauty of the Ionian coast before heading back to the city.

Circumnavigate Mount Etna through the Altomontano trail, which has the following features: Difficulty: Difficult Total distance: 80.84 km Difference in height uphill: 963 m Difference in height downhill: 2.828 m Duration: about 6h During the tour you will pass through lava flows, both recent and ancient ones, which alternate to oak and pine tree woods. You will also stop to see some very interesting lava flow caves. At the end of the tour you will return to the starting place. The montain bikes and helmet rent are included in the tour.

After meeting the group in front of Rifugio Sapienza hotel at 10:30AM, you'll be in good company with a qualified mountain bike guide who will share with you a deep passion for this land and sport. Once you reach the top of the mountain, admire an extraordinary panorama: the summit craters of Etna, the Ionian Sea, and the Valle del Bove. Begin the downhill trail from 2,800 meters by e-bike, with a single trail descent around old and new lava flows on the highest active volcano in Europe.

Starting from Catania, aboard your mountain bike, you will admire the architectural beauty of this ancient city, a treasure trove of treasures dating back to different historical periods. You will then move to the coastal area, until you get to Aci Castello, a quaint fishing village that takes its name from a real castle, built on a rock of basalt lava, formed during an underwater eruption about 500,000 years ago. Heading towards Aci Trezza, you will discover a small fishing village, which is the backdrop to the enchanting island Lachea and the famous Faraglioni dei Ciclopi, lava buildings, born from the same underwater eruption, linked to an ancient legend: it is said that they were thrown by the Cyclops Polyphemus against Ulysses, after his blindness. To conclude this tour, you can finally give yourself a regenerating dip in the sea or even opt for a refreshing and tasty homemade granita, before returning to Catania.