Trails of Western Sicily

Trip Type:

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

Grade & Terrain

Although this trip is graded easy to moderate overall, it is advisable that you will have had previous walking experience. You will be walking on large dirt roads, mule tracks and on paths. You should be in good physical fitness to fully enjoy the walking on this tour. Although the distances are fairly short there are some elevation gains and losses, but mostly only about 200-300m. However on the Zingaro Nature Reserve walk the elevation gain is 500m and on the Erice walk the elevation loss is 650m.

Navigation

The route is at times waymarked (in the Nature Reserves) but outside of this there will be little way-marking. Detailed routes note and maps will provided for you.

• 7 Nights in B&B’s, & 3* hotels
• 7 Breakfasts
• Baggage transfers
• Private transfers on Days 1, 3, 6 & 7
• Route notes, maps and detailed information pack
• 24-7 Emergency telephone support

• Travel insurance (required)
• Travel to and from Palermo
• Lunches & dinners
• Drinks and snacks
• Public transport including hydrofoil tickets, and cable car tickets
• Tourist taxes (usually €2-3.00 per day)
• Personal equipment
• Museum, natural reserves and archaeological site entrance fees

• Extra nights before, during or after your walk

When To Go

This tour is available to start anytime between April to October.

Peak Season Availability

As Sicily is a very popular destination, we suggest booking as soon as possible to ensure availability for specific dates.

Time of Year

The springs months of April, May and June offer warm sunshine, fewer crowds, and pleasant walking conditions. May is when most wildflowers are coming into bloom. The autumn months of September and October are also a favourable time of year, boasting cooler weather and a striking landscape made up of autumnal colours. June, July and August are good months to go but can be very hot for walking and therefore aren’t best suited for everyone. You will have to start early to miss the heat of the day, rest in the shade during the height of the heat of the day, and carry a lot of water (additional weight) with you. You also need to ensure you dress appropriately and have sun protection with you including a sun hat that protects your head and neck, and high factor sun tan cream. The towns and villages are buzzing at this time of year which is great to see. It's worth noting that the later in the year you choose to travel the higher the likelihood of rain (October-March is when the rainfall is more likely). Also before Easter and in late October some local shops, and restaurants may have reduced opening times or have closed for the winter.

Getting to the Start

By Air: You can fly into Palermo Airport.

There are flights to Palermo from the UK (Ryanair and Easyjet). At the time of writing this, Alitalia, Lufthansa and Air France also have flights from Europe into Palermo. From Palermo Airport there is an included transfer to Scopello. Please let us know what time your flight arrives so that we can set up the transfer for you.

Should you wish to take a ferry from the mainland Italy there are overnight ferries from places such as Naples, Civitavecchia and Genoa.

Getting from the End

Your last night will be spent in Palermo. You can take either a bus or taxi to the airport. Buses leave every 30 mins from the Central Station and take 45 mins. We can arrange a private taxi transfer from your accommodation to the airport. Please ask your Destination and Adventure Specialist for details.

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight stay. On this particular tour your luggage will be transferred at the same time as you. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

General Information

The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sunhat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a daypack.

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of booking with us that you have suitable travel insurance that covers you for cancellation, curtailment, illness or injury.