Sicily Bike tour
Cycling Val di Noto: Ragusa, Noto, Modica
At the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East and Europe, Sicily is pure magic.
Cycle the breath-taking landscapes around, Syracuse: a Greek-Roman-Byzantine-Bourbon-Arab-Norman-Aragonese-Italian city with an island historical center Ortigia, and Val di Noto – area of Unesco Heritage sites which includes many city visited on this tour!
Wow Moments
- Relax over a glass of Nero d’Avola wine in Noto’s historical city center
- Handmade Cannoli siciliani sweet with ricotta cheese
- Ride along the coast to a just-caught seafood lunch in the village of Marzamemi
- Spend a day in the Baroque city of Ragusa, home to a booming foodie scene and one of the most iconic skylines on the island
- Taste Sicily’s famous granita at one of the best spots in the main square of Noto
Marzamemi & Porto Palo southernmost point of Italy
This bike route winds entirely across the countryside of the Hyblaean area, biking on this path will be an amazing chance to discover and visit many of the marvellous naturalistic sites which embellish this part of land. You set off at Cava d’Ispica, a 13 km-long canyon still preserving its untainted ecosystem, then you cross an area famous for the presence of the oldest trees in Sicily which leads us to Frigintini, a village clustering farms devoted to high-quality production. The next step is the crossing of another valley, chiselled by Fiumara creek, heading to Scicli from Modica.
Sicily Adventure
This itinerary will lead you through the discovery of Europe’s most southern shoreline with its marvellous beaches of golden, satin sand from the Sahara desert and its lush Mediterranean dune vegetation.
DAY 1
Tours starts in Noto – arrival on your own or transfer from Catania airport or from Siracusa.
Noto, capital of Sicilian Baroque and a living art gallery.
Its historical center is rich with churches, aristocratic palaces, stately piazzas and beautiful streets, both grand and small which wind harmoniously about one another. A perfect location for the shooting of the world-wide known TV series Commissario Montalbano.
Noto, along with every other city in the area, was completely razed by a devastating earthquake in 1693, after which the noble aristocracy decided to rebuild the city stone‐for‐stone, 3km from its original site.
Welcome meeting at your hotel set in the old town, after the briefing and the bike fitting, it’s time for visit the city or enjoy an APERITIVO on the stunning terrace of your hotel.
DAY 2
Loop Bike ride in Noto area towards the mountainous inland. Stop at “Cavagrande del Cassibile” reserve.
Today a loop ride brings us along secondary roads which snake through Noto’s inner mountain area. Hop on your bike along a climbing to San Corrado and then continue riding through the country toward the ruined site of Ancient Noto.
Then continue riding through the country toward Cavagrande del Cassibile nature reserve. Here the landscape begins to change, now dominated by Sicily’s Grand Canyon, the deepest canyon in Europe, whose steep walls descend 800 feet to a picturesque river below. The land is protected for it’s fascinating geology.
From here you can stretch your legs on a fun downhill passing through Avola Antica and then toward Avola with amazing views over the Ionian coast and its seaside-villages. The final part heads to Noto, passing through a quiet and lively rural district with some farms and farmhouses along the way. You will follow an old back road connecting the two towns.
Once again in the historic Noto, we suggest you to visit “Caffè Sicilia” well known for its pastry made of almond, granita and ice-creams.
Distance: 44 km / 27 mi. Ascent +1010 m.
DAY 3
Bike ride from Noto to Portopalo di Capo Passero.
Your today’s destination is the Southernmost point of Sicily and Italy, Portopalo di Capo Passero, an old fishermen village.
On your track, the Roman Villa Tellaro,a 4th century partially‐excavated palace boasting magnificent floor mosaics they tell stories of roman life with scenes of hunting, erotic dances, Illiad tales, an unusual geometric designs, a visit won’t be missed.
Riding through Contrada Buonivini, the cradle of Nero d’Avola. The easy routes run through vineyards, citrus and almond groves offering spectacular views. All around, old palm groves and modern cellars are scattered, just pick one for a guided tour and a degustation. Arriving at Marzamemi is a dive in the past: the milieu of tonnare, the boat sheds for tonnaroti and their houses, the palace of the local ruling aristocratic family have been restored and converted into restaurants, cafés and boutiques.
Just few kilometers more to reach Portopalo with nice beaches around and an important fishing port. Here you can taste the best local and fresh fish! We suggest to approach the village, walking along the pedestrian area with some restaurants, cafés and boutiques that brings you to beach and its clear water with the view of the ancient tuna factory, the small island of Capo Passero and the fishermen houses.
Distance: option A: 35 km / 21 mi | +210m. OR Option B: 75 km / 44mi | + 800m.
DAY 4
Bike ride from Portopalo to Modica.
Your ride follows the cycle paths of wine in Val di Noto softly entering Noto countryside to cross Tellaro valley along the river. Once on top a stunning view of the Hyblean Plateau will delight you. Bike ride from Portopalo to Modica.
In this stage you will get acquainted with a varied food production of peasant tradition, from bread to scacce, from honey to cheese oil and wine.
A lovely view of the extreme eastern spur of Hyblean Mountains, marking the border between the Siracusa and Noto provinces. The peaceful and quiet mule-track is shaded by the wide crowns of carob trees skirting it for many kilometres.
Get in Modica along its lively rural district.
This section of the route, along old roads and the typical carob tree and old farmhouse with its continuous series of ups and downs is quite demanding, but your effort will be rewarded by views of unequalled beauty at each turn or hill.
A panoramic downhill will disclose you the beauty of the monuments of Modica
The stroll continues in the historic neighbourhoods of the city centre: alleys, little steps and medieval streets will lead you to the spectacular stairways of the most majestic churches.
Modica is well worth a break to revel in the sweets of Sicilian pastry and the delicious chocolate.
Distance: Option A: 30 km / 19 miles | +605m. Or Option B: 59 km / 37 miles | +1186m.
DAY 5
Loop bike ride from Modica to Ragusa
This moderate to challenging ride, rise and fall stage unrolls like a film of snapshots from the past: olive and carob trees, farmhouses and villas of the past rural aristocracy.
You arrive in the magnificent Baroque city of Ragusa. With 18 UNESCo Heritage monuments, the entire historical center is a fun and fascinating maze of archways, exquisite Baroque churches, staircases, and stately palaces. You’ll explore on your own the public gardens, the Cathedral of San Giorgio, or just relax with a chocolate granita. Then you will come back to Modica.
For dinner, choose from many wonderful restaurants, from hole‐in‐the‐wall trattorias to Slow Food Oserie or Michelin‐starred restaurants.
Distance: Option A: 30 km / 19 mi.les | +605m. Or Option B: 59 km / 37 miles +1186m
DAY 6
Bike ride from Modica to Donnalucata
You leave Modica going on through the Fiumara valley surrounded by a lush vegetation: this wild wooded part of the route lead you straight to Scicli’s historic centre. To start, you go along the ancient street leading from Scicli to Donnalucata, stretching above a typical Iblean cave. After about 4 km you will reach a panoramic street hanging between countryside and sea; here you meet Sgarlata farmhouse, renowned for its ricotta cheese and delicious flavoured caciotte( you will experience a cheese-making laboratory and a tasting under request), and the Milizie cloister, legendary ground of the battle between Normans and Saracens. The cycling path goes on plunging into olive trees, carobs and almond trees.
This itinerary goes on a panoramic road coasting the Irminio river valley. Once we get to its mouth we suggest a stop to hike on the paths of the reserve.
You will pedal through a still-preserved rural area, among Scicli and Modica, where many estates appear, testifying a rich agriculture in the last centuries: just appreciate this flavours from the past, visiting genuine and family-run farms; you’ll sample mozzarella and ricotta cheese.
Along the coast road you meet Sampieri and its ancient fishermen houses. Here you can opt for some relax in one of the many chalets, beaches or cliffs at Costa di Carro and Punta Pisciotto.
Keep going along the Southernmost coastline in Europe, just head towards the East, reaching Donnalucata and Punta Regilione on the cycle path.
Distance: Option A: 37 km / 22 miles | +215 m OR Option B: 65 km / 40 miles | +600 m
DAY 7
After breakfast, end of tour. Private transfer to train station or to Catania- Comiso Airports is available, from where you can take the train to Cagliari or other destination on the island.
INFO TOUR
best period : March to November - Expect July & August
DIFFICULTY : medium
TOTAL DISTANCE : 300 km / 187 miles in 5 stages
TOUR REVIEWS
Price & Inclusions
Price
Cost: € 1880 per person in double occupancy
Single room supplement € 690
Inclusions
Six nights in four & three-star superior hotels
Six breakfasts
All Baggage transfers
RideWithGPS App: tracks, route notes, off-line navigation
Trip notes: Sightseeing & meals suggestions
Maps with elevation gain
Delivery bike at Noto hotel & bike fitting
Pick-up of bikes and gear in Donnalucata
Keepsake Cicloposse water bottle
Sales taxes
Not Included
Bike Rental per entire tour
Hybrid bike euro 180
Road bike | E-Bike | Gravel bike euro 250
City Tax each village charges a tax per each day between euro 0,70 to 2,50.
Optional
Cooking lesson
Cheese tasting
Wine tasting
Gagliardi is a Boutique Hotel from where the heart of Noto can be lived from a unique and privileged perspective. The Terrace embraces the historic centre of this baroque city with one gaze, transmitting a feeling of timeless beauty.
Set among baroque buildings, Hotel Porta Reale is part of the historic center and since the main entrance you can feel the spirit, in the name of sobriety, elegance and modernity, a small Hotel recently renovated, spread over 3 floors.
Charming boutique hotel Portopalo Suite is set in the center of Portopalo di Capo Passero, 500 m from the Sicilian coast. Mediterrean style, with modern atmosphere, for the art lovers, Sicilian paintings can be appreciate in our bright rooms, all designed by famous Italians design brands, combining wellness and technology
Unique hotel, nestled like a small oasis in the hillside above the historic centre of the city. small houses, lovingly restored with natural materials typical of the Sicilian tradition. The hotel is blessed with lush Mediterranean gardens in which guests can eat, relax and watch the world go by.
Boutique hotel boasting sleek design, unique, modern and charming atmosphere
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Tour Reviews
Good evening Giuliana
on behalf of Howard and myself I would like to thank you for a wonderful cycling tour ! As usual your routes and hotels and little towns have been amazing. Raffael was outstanding in his care and attention to detail and explanations on each day. The bikes were in excellent condition and Rafael was in touch with us daily .
We thoroughly enjoyed a great cycle holiday thank you and best regards
Ciao Giuliana,
My wife, Margaret, and I returned from our Sicily bike trip. Era meraviglioso! The hotels were wonderful and the biking was very enjoyable (though fa troppo caldo alcuni giorni). We especially enjoyed our time in Noto at the Hotel Gagliardi. Raffaele is a great guy, and we really enjoyed meeting him. He was very helpful with all details. And the new GPS system worked perfectly.
Voremmo ritornare presto per un altro giro!
Grazie per tutto,
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