Magna Via Francigena Walking Tour

Benvenuti in Sicily! A private transfer from the center of Palermo or from the airport will take you to your start point in Santa Cristina Gela.

Santa Cristina Gela is a small village of Albanian origin, and its well-preserved traditions and language make it a truly unique place. Settle into your accommodations here before embarking on your first Sicilian adventure (optional).

Walk to Monreale to visit the famous cathedral here, one of Italy's most outstanding Norman architecture examples. You can also get your first taste of the Magna Via Francigena trail today, walking to Piana degli Albanesi and then back to Santa Cristina.

Top of your day with the delicious "Iris with ricotta" pastry found in the many pastry shops that grace the city center.

You'll jump right into your Sicilian walking adventure today, with an exciting 25 km of walking in store!

After breakfast, you'll head to the Magna Via Francigena trail to begin your journey. The Bosco della Ficuzza and Rocca Busambra natural reserves provide a rich and stunning backdrop for the first leg of your journey.

Reaching the Tagliava Monastery, you can enjoy this picturesque setting, enjoying a short break before continuing to Corleone.

Corleone, known by the world as the mafia's birthplace, is rich in history and boasts many spectacular churches that are well worth seeing. Climb the Rocca Soprana Tower for breathtaking views over the city, or check out the famous Anti-Mafia Museum and Ethnographic Museum.

Today’s trail takes you through the park of the Sicàni Mountains, where you’ll be greeted by wondrous archeological sites and walk among rich forest teeming with life. The area is named after the Sicàni people, who are the oldest known inhabitants of Sicily and were made extinct around 300 BC.

Walking today’s trail reveals the deeply rooted history of this land, unknown to many, but yours to discover!

Departing Prizzi, you’ll embark on your journey across the Carcaci Mountains Nature Reserve. Scenic forests and wetlands characterize this beautiful landscape, rich in biodiversity.

After crossing the reserve, The Magna Via Francigena trail will take you to Castronovo di Sicilia, a village and fortified Norman fortress. Admire the multitude of baroque fountains throughout the village and visit the open-air museum, where you’ll discover remnants of ancient settlements and a well-preserved cemetery dating back to the 6th century BC.

After a good dose of history in Castronovo, a transfer will take you to Cammarata, where you’ll find tonight’s accommodations.

On request, it is possible to shorten today’s hike from 25 km to 19 km.

Today's walk will take you from Cammarata to Sutera, through a bountiful land fed by the Platani River and covered in rich pastures. Green pistachios and juicy mountain peaches are among some of the fine produce grown here.

Entering the county of Caltanissetta, you'll encounter quaint farmhouses and Masseria that provide the perfect place to rest awhile before continuing the trail.

On the trail to Sutera, you'll walk through its suburb of Rabad, an Arab district made up of winding alleys and huts providing an authentic cultural experience.

Once in Sutera, be sure to visit Sutera's monolithic fortress, where you'll find the Sanctuary of San Paolino.

Your journey continues, leading you to more spectacular sights today!

Back on the Magna Via Francigena Trail, today’s walk will introduce you to the Sicilian thòlos tombs of Milena and the Neolithic settlements of Serra del Paco (5000 BC).

The trail will end today in Racalmuto, the famous birthplace of the writer Leonardo Sciascia.

With the smell of sulphur in the air, you’ll no doubt have learned about the sulphur mines of Racalmuto. Leaving this unique town behind, you’ll soon encounter the spectacular limestone crag known as Petra of Calathansuderj. Once a Byzantine-Arab-Norman stronghold, this geological masterpiece rises above the hills and was once at the seat of a prehistoric village at this site. Archeologists found fragments of pottery dating back to the bronze age inside the rock, making this site a fascinating encounter of history.

Following your final steps on the Magna Via Francigena trail today, you’ll catch a train to Agrigento, where you’ll enjoy your last evening of the tour before saying arrivederci tomorrow.

In Agrigento, you’ll be greeted by the golden south coast set on the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a magical place to spend your last evening of the tour- enjoy and soak it up!

If time permits before departing, check out the Monastery of Santo Spirito and the Valley of Temples, two sights you won’t want to miss in Agrigento.

Make your way to the airport to depart beautiful Sicily!