“Bike the Baroque” (300km)
The Hidden gems of the southeast – discover the lesser known corners of the province of Siracusa and Ragusa. Cycle through the unspoiled hills and enjoy the comfort of selected accommodations with charm and history. This tour gives you more time to immerse yourself in the Sicilian culture; visits, wine tastings, cooking classes and just strolling around enjoying the cities.
Difficulty level:
Easy with E-bike/Medium with regular bike
Distance:
35-64 km per day, 302 – 859 m elevation gain per day
Terrain:
paved roads
10 km gravel road at the Anapo Valley
Start from:
Palazzolo Acreide
Duration:
8 days/7 nights or 7 days/6 nights
Availability:
every day (on request)
Participants:
Minimum 2
Day 1
Arrival at the hotel in Palazzolo Acreide
Delivery of the bikes, bike fitting and tour briefing.
Overnight in Palazzolo Acreide
Day 2
Loop ride Palazzolo Acreide – Anapo Valley 35km/490m+
Loop ride from Palazzolo Acreide around the Anapo Valley, partly on a former railway transformed into a cycle path of ten kilometres immersed in lush nature. Detour to the delightful village of Ferla is possibile. After a shorter climb you are back in Palazzolo and have time to explore the city and it’s renowned cuisine.
Overnight in Palazzolo Acreide
Day 3
Palazzolo Acreide – Ragusa Ibla – Modica 50km/600m+
Ride in typical rural Iblei landscapes on rolling hills towards Giarratana, a small village with impressive late baroque churches and tasty almond sweets torroncini. You continue to the UNESCO Wolrd Heritage cities Ragusa Ibla and Modica, where todays stage ends.
Overnight in Modica
Day 4
Modica – Scicli – Pozzallo – Portopalo di Capopassero 65km/450m+
Before you leave Modica, you should taste the famous chocolate! You continue along a beautiful valley to Scicli and then through olive groves and carrob trees down to the coast towards Pozzallo, the harbour to Malta. Then cycle along the Mediterrranean Sea until you arrive in Portopalo di Capopassero, a fishing village and the southernmost point of Sicily.
Overnight in Portopalo di Capopassero
Day 5
Portopalo di Capo Passero – Marzamemi – Vendicari – Noto 55km/350m+
After a lovely coastal ride from Portopalo di Capo Passero you arrive to Marzamemi, a delightful fishing village of Arab origins. From here you continue inland on quiet country roads until you arrive to the Nature Reserve of Vendicari, a popular spot for migratory birds and the remains of a “tonnara”, a tuna fishery. You continue to Noto, the capital of the Sicilian Baroque.
Overnight in Noto
Day 6
Rest day or Loop ride Noto – Cavagrande del Cassibile 45km/850m+
Today you can either take a rest day and explore Noto or go for a loop ride to Cavagrande del Cassibile, the deepest of the canyons of the Iblei plateau. You start climbing into the hills above Noto to the ruins of Noto Antica, the original site of the city that was destroyed by the earthquake of 1693. On rolling hills you continue to Cavagrande before you return to the coast on a panorami descent on swithbacks overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
Overnight in Noto
Day 7
Noto – Avola – Plemmirio – Siracusa 55km/300m+
The last stage brings you to your final destination, Siracusa. A flat route along the coast where you pass by Avola, Ognina and Plemmiro, the marine protected area with the lighthouse Capo Murro di Porco. Continue along the coast before entering the majestic ancient Greek town of Syracuse (Siracusa in italian). Explore the historical center of Ortigia, situated on a small island, perfect for wandering around and explore.
Return your bikes and all accessories. If you have booked extra night/nights and want to keep the bikes let us know as soon as possible.
Overnight in Siracusa
Day 8
Departure
Thank you for choosing to explore Sicily by bike with us! We hope you enjoyed the ride and had a memorable experience.
