8 Day Mountain Bike Tour in Sicily, Italy

By bike, you will visit the most beautiful places on the coast between Agrigento and Trapani: the Vlle dei Templi, Scala dei Turchi, the Vella del Sosio, Eraclea Minoa, Selinunte, Sciacca, the salt pans of Marsala, Erice, San Vito lo Capo, Scopello, Tonnara di Bonagia, and many more. You will visit many wine cellars that you will meet along the itinerary, from Rizzuto Guccione Wineries of Montallegro to the famous Planeta di Menfi and then the Cantine Florio in Marsala. In some wineries, you can also stay overnight and you will taste the best Sicilian wines.

Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from the airport to Agrigento

You will have free time to dine in a restaurant in the city and overnight in the city.

Day 2: Agrigento

You will have a relaxing day to maintain confidence in your bike, your riding, and the weather. You will then stroll through the marvelous Valle dei Templi and the inner city. You will ride to the Scala dei Turchi to admire the sunset from one of the marvelous UNESCO sites. Overnight is in Scala dei Turchi

• Distance: 25 kilometers

Day 3: Agrigento - Montallegro

You will ride through the old railway Porto Empedocle - Castelvetrano and after having pedaled on the splendid coast of Scala la Torre Salsa WWF Reserve, you reach the village of Montallegro. Overnight is in an old aristocratic house next to the family winery.

• Distance: 55 kilometers

Day 4: Montallegro - Eraclea Minoa - Sciacca

You are in one of the stretches of coastline where history is mixed with the myth: Eraclea Minoa. Here, Daedalus put the wings on the run from Minos who found him dead (once the name is Eraclea Minoa). You will be always on the paths of the old railway along the Platani Reserve and along the dirt road along the sea before it reaches the town of Ribera which is famous for its oranges. You will then follow the river of Sosio and ride on the sand until finally arrive in the country of Sciacca. The accommodation is in the city center after a visit to a local winery.

• Distance: 31 kilometers
• Elevation: 650 meters

Day 5: Sciacca - Sambuca di Sicilia

You will have a short transfer from Sciacca to Burgio. This stage will take to cross the Valle Sosio. You will enter directly into the valley and proceed at high altitude which is surrounded by woods and beautiful dirt roads until you reach the village of San Carlo from where the train descent to the town of Sambuca di Sicilia where you stay for the night and visit of the famous Planeta Winery.

• Distance: 23 kilometers

Day 6: Sambuca di Sicilia - Segesta

You will transfer from Sambuca to Santa Ninfa. This stop is a journey through the history of Italy and that of ancient Sicily, in the footsteps of Garibaldi (Calatafimi), and the testimonies of Segesta, the city of Elime origin. Through unpaved roads and railways of gravel, with some stretches of asphalt, you arrive in the temple of Segesta from an unusual passage with a beautiful view. It will pass through places that have seen by I Mille Garibaldi. The overnight stay is near the temple of Segesta in an exclusive farmhouse.

• Distance: 45 kilometers

Day 7: Segesta / Scopello

You will arrive at the beautiful sea of Scopello after the climbing of Monte Inici (long but regular) that will give you a wonderful descent with the incomparable spectacle of the Golfo di Castellammare, one of the most spectacular Sicilian Coast. You will have an overnight in a comfortable four-star hotel in Castellammare.

• Distance: 40 kilometers

Day 8: Transfer to the airport

You will be transferred to the airport then return to your home.

The bike

The bike should be able to descent, climb, and endure for the long and continuous trip. Full suspension is recommended but a front with 100 millimeters of travel is perfect. For years, Coast2Coast has been using bi-shocked mountain bikes that allow you to get on and give you maximum fun and comfort on the slopes.

The bicycle must be fully efficient; if new components are fitted, make sure they are working properly. If you do not have your own bike, Coaast2Coast can hire you a good full suspension bike of the Lombardo quality. Lombardo Bike is Coast2Coast's partner. They have both Front and Full bikes. They also have MTB Giant in carbon 27.5 inches and 29 inches as well as the pedal assisted bike. The tires should reduce the impact of pinching and for maximum grip on the paths. It is recommended to use tubeless wheels and 2.1-inch tires, reinforced on the side. The brakes are advisable to overhaul your disks and even bring a replacement pad.

Level

Coast2Coast Bike Tours has ranked each of the tours with a specific level of skill and fitness to help you decide which trip is right for you.

Level 1: Novice

One star is a sign that you have some experience (less than a year) in cycling off-road. You could be a road biker and want to do some mountain biking. You can ride all day but with breaks and relax without too much effort. You prefer long rides in the company but not the hard ones.

Level 2: Intermediate

The two stars indicate that you have been out on a regular mountain bike for at least a year. You have reasonable bike management skills and safe travel on a variety of terrain and conditions, including singletrack, double track, muddy, wet, and dry. You are competent on undulating paths with moderate climbs and descents, some of which may be a bit technical in nature but you can get off and continue on foot some sections. You go out on a bike at least three or four times a month. In a day, you can ride for 40 kilometers and no more than 1,000 meters in altitude.

Level 3: Advanced

Being three stars, you have used mountain biking for at least three years and you have no problems with most types of riding and obstacles, including drop (up to half a meter), rocks, trunks, and hairpin bends. You have good bike handling skills and you can lift the front and rear wheels, small jump, and get on and off well. You have considerable riding experience on a wide range of technical terrains, including rocky, roots, muddy, loose, or fast singletrack. You go by bike at least once a week and rarely get off on a bike ride. In a day, you can ride for 60 kilometers and 1,000 meters in altitude.

Level 4: Expert

The four stars you have because you were born on a bicycle. Well, you've been in the saddle for at least five years, anyway. You can tackle anything the off-road offers you; you have riding experience on all types of routes and obstacles (steps, loose rocks, roots, drop-offs, logs, and north shore); you know how to go downhill and you have fun even if it is bumpy; and you have no problem getting wet and pedaling in the mud and always try the adventure. Every possible opportunity is good to go out on a bike, in all weather conditions, and you're happy to be on a bike all day. In a day, you can ride for 60 kilometers and 2,000 meters in altitude.

You will visit the most beautiful places on the coast between Agrigento and Trapani, Italy, such as the Villa dei Templi, Scala dei Turchi, the Vella del Sosio, Eraclea Minoa, Selinunte, Sciacca, the salt pans of Marsala, Erice, San Vito lo Capo, Scopello, and Tonnara di Bonagia.

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You will be served breakfast and dinner at the accommodation facilities and packed lunch. The dinners will all be based on traditional and often organic food. Sicily is full of excellent and fresh vegetarian and, above all, is organic. When sending the booking form, let Coast to Coast knows your needs so they will communicate to the host facilities and they will settle for packed lunch.

• 6-day group-guided cycling
• Visiting Rizzuto Guccione Wineries of Montallegro to the famous Planeta di Menfi
• A service of FIAB-authorized guides
• Papers, leaflets, and roadbook
• GPS tracks of the routes
• Insurance
• Light workshop and mechanical assistance
• Mobile number for 24-hour emergencies
• Luggage transport
• Available half car
• Transfer to and from Falcone-Borsellino Airport (PMO), Vincenzo Florio Airport Trapani-Birgi (TPS), or Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA)
• Water and riding snacks
• Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
• 7 nights' accommodation

• Bike rent
• Flights
• Drinks at meals
• Anything not indicated in the included items

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• A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 10 days before arrival.