Sicily’s Wild West
Coastal nature reserves, Greek Temples and picturesque seafarer villages of Arabic origins
This cycling tour will skirt the fabulous
Tyrrhenian coastline of western Sicily for the most part but it will also allow
you to ride inland through a countryside boasting olive trees, vineyards and
history in abundance.
You will be cycling through Val di Mazara, one
of the three administrative emirates into which the island was split during the
Arab domination and its highlights are numerous: from trekking along the hilly
footpaths of Riserva naturale dello Zingaro overlooking the sea to visiting the
Greek roots of the island in the archaeological site of Segesta; from Trapani,
the City of Salt to Marsala, the City of Wine, with its evocative landscape
made of salt pans and old windmills; and finally from Mazara del Vallo, a renowned
fishing port town with a strong Arabic influence to Selinunte with its
beautiful beaches and spectacular Greek ruins.
Day 1: Scopello
Arrival in Scopello, a lovely, old hamlet
(locally known as baglio from the arab bahal: courtyard) dating back to the
17th century. Around its small square you will find most of the houses and
shops of the entire village. The old tuna fishery is situated few kilometers
away onto a promontory overlooking the crystalline waters of the Tyrrhenian
sea.
Day 2: Trekking excursion to the Nature Reserve “Zingaro” - 14 km roundtrip
6h
Only a few kilometers from
the pretty village of Scopello, stretches the wonderful Nature Reserve
“Zingaro”. You will have the chance to explore it on foot allowing yourself to
linger on all the aromi and scents which this untamed landscape has to offer.
Trekking along its undulating footpath you
will find yourself between two very different scenes: on one side the
enchanting view of the Tyrrhenian sea, with its coves and bays (calette) where
you can swim and snorkel in the limpid water, on the other, the vibrancy and
colours of the flora and fauna typical of this mountainous environment.
Day 3: Scopello - Segesta - Trapani - 60km
After admiring the fabulous
gulf of Castellammare, only few kilometers from Scopello, the first ride of
this tour will allow you to explore the hinterland of the Sicilian countryside
where olive trees and vineyards are in abundance. 25 kilometers into this
landscape, alternating ascents to flat parts, you will reach the archeological
site of Segesta, an ancient city founded by the Elymians more than 2500 years
ago. From here, following secondary country roads, you will finally arrive in
Trapani, known in Sicily as the city of Salt.
Level of difficulty: medium.
Day 4: Erice (40 km) or Favignana (25 km)
The options for today are
very different one from another but both very attractive.
You may decide to visit
Erice, an old medieval village perched onto its homonym hill rising 750 meters
asl, which you can reach either by cable car or cycling. From Trapani 11
kilometers of hairpin bends separate you from its summit, where you can enjoy a
stunning view stretching all the way to the Egadi islands.
Level of difficulty: easy by
cable car; difficult by bike.
Or you may choose to spend a
day relaxing in Favignana, the largest of the Egadi islands which you can reach
by ferry or hydrofoil. It will certainly not disappoint you with its beautiful
calette and its seafaring atmosphere. Favignaga is best explored by bike!
Level of difficulty: easy.
Day 5: Trapani - Marsala along the salt way – 42/32 km
Today’s itinerary is
completely flat as you will skirt the beautiful coastline the whole time. Windmills,
salt pans and mounds of freshly extracted salt will be the backdrop to an
unmatchable landscape. You will also have the chance to visit Mothia island,
the ancient cradle of Phoenician- Punic civilization which can be reached by
motorboat from the lagoon within few minutes.
Today’s stage ends in
Marsala, a city famous for its homonym wine and for the landing of Garibaldi
with his expedition of the Thousand.
Level of difficulty: easy.
Day 6: Marsala - Mazara del Vallo - 28 km
Today’s stage continues
along the enchanting Tyrrhenian coastline until it winds inland through the
typical countryside of this parts of Sicily with its numerous vineyards and bagli (old centers of farming
activities). It will end in Mazara del Vallo, seat of the most important
Italian fishing fleet and located at the mouth of the river Mazaro which
divides the town in two.
The Arab influence is so
dominant as you stroll through the narrow alleyways of the Kasbah (Arabic
quarter) with its bright colours and powerful scents, that you will be reminded
of the African continent just across the sea.
Level of difficulty: easy.
Giorno 7: Mazara del Vallo - Selinunte – 35/44 km
After leaving Mazara, you
will continue along a road which runs only a kilometer in parallel to the coast
and will take you to the Nature Reserve “Lago Preola e Gorghi tondi”. Immersed
in a valley, a series of small lakes of karstic origins will appear without
warning. Anyone passionate about watching fauna and flora typical of a swampy
habitat, will find this rewarding.
Riding on a hilly road in
direction of Campobello di Mazara, you pass by Cave di Cusa, famous because
from here all the material necessary to the building of the temples of
Selinunte, was extracted. Only 13 kilometers further down the road you will
have the opportunity to visit the archeological site of Selinunte, the ancient
Greek city which will take you back few thousand years. Relax and swim at
Selinunte’s beaches.
Level of difficulty:
medium-easy
Giorno 8:
After breakfast individual departure.
For rates and furthe details contact me: iris.marischi@gmail.com
