Nature and Sport in the Alcantara Valley

The valleys, “Gole dell'Alcantara”, are situated in Sicily between the provinces of Messina and Catania. The area is internationally famous due to its hard basalt cliffs, characterized by spectacular basalt prisms.

The valleys have volcanic origins, when a small volcano of the Etna “Family” erupted spurting vast quantities of lava, which, when it reached the sea, formed the planes of Capo Schisò. With time, the route created by the lava became the banks of a river, which is today called Alcantara, andh opens at 1250m on Mount Nebrodi and runs for over 50km crossing through diverse towns and villages (including Giardini Naxos and Taormina). The territory of the towns where the river runs through are part of the “River Park of Alcantara” with various places of natural, scientific and archaeological interest.

How to get to Alcantara Valley 
By car 
• From the Catania-Messina motorway and from Messina, exit at “Giardini Naxos” and follow signs for Francavilla di Sicilia, Castiglione di Sicilia and Randazzo.
• From the Messina-Palermo motorway, exit at S.Agato Militello and follow signs for San Fratello, Cesarò Randazzo, Castiglione di Sicilia and Francavilla di Sicilia.

By train
 • Disembark at Giardini Naxos and take the bus to Randazzo or the CircumEtnea line directly to Randazzo da Catania.

By bus
• Bus companies who services to Alcantara are SAIS, Etna Trasport and AST.

By plane
• Catania airport is the nearest to the valleys.

When to visit the Alcantara Valleys and what to bring
Access to the valleys is permitted only when the water-level is low, at least for the route which begins between 50 – 200m high. The best time to visit is from May to September. When the water-level is high the valleys are only accessible from the initial opening. The river water is freezing; therefore we advise you rent fishing-boots available at the entrance therefore avoiding direct contact with the water. The area is equipped with lifts and areas where visitors can camp in camper-vans, caravans, tents etc.

Trekking and other sports at “Parco dell’Alcantara”
For trekking-lovers we recommend the route known as “Sentiero natura le gurne dell'Alcantara”, which starts at Francavilla di Sicilia (ME), features various points of interest of the river and valley. Mountain biking, climbing and horse-riding are among other sporting activities available in the area.