Pantalica & Anapo Valley

The Pantalica and Anapo Valley Nature Reserve is one of the most beautiful green areas in Sicily as well as an important UNESCO archaeological site for its rock-carved necropolises. The 'Pantalica and Anapo' itinerary is a hike designed for those who love long walks in nature and want to discover the natural and archaeological highlights of this area, lead by a private guide. It is a moderately difficult trek, recommended for those who usually enjoy outdoor walks. The itinerary is mainly on unpaved nature trails. It also involves crossing the Anapo River and the Calcinara Stream.
The hiking route starts from the Pantalica - Serramenzana entrance gate and already in the first part of the walk, you can admire some of the most spectacular landscapes of the reserve: the steep rock walls of the Calcinara canyon. Along the way, you can also admire the impressive northern necropolis, dating back to the Bronze Age and composed of hundreds of artificial tombs carved into the rock walls. Our guide will illustrate the archaeological features of the area and tell you about the ancient civilization of Pantalica. Inside the canyon you will be greeted by the gurgling and enchanting views of the transparent waters of the Calcinara stream. It is the ideal place for a short break and, in the warmer months, for a refreshing dip. The next stage of the excursion is walking up on the Ferla side. Along the way, you can also admire the rock-cut oratory of the crucifix with its faint traces of medieval frescoes and then the rock complex of Cavetta. The Calcinara stream is a tributary of the Anapo River, and once you reach the plateau, you will walk a short stretch along the top of the ridge before descending into the other large gorge of the nature reserve: the Anapo Valley. The Anapo River is the largest watercourse in the province of Syracuse. Along its banks, a narrow-gauge railway was built in the 20th century, connecting Syracuse with Vizzini. Once the usefulness of the railway line was lost, it was dismantled, and today the route in the Anapo Valley runs along the picturesque path of the former railway line, also passing through a series of tunnels. The last part of the route involves crossing the Anapo River. The excursion will take the entire day and includes a stop for a packed lunch (not included). Trekking shoes or similar, a sun hat, a raincoat in spring and autumn, and a plentiful supply of water are recommended. A swimsuit and beach towel are advisable for excursions in the summer months. In mid-summer from mid-July to the end of August, temperatures can be extreme, and unless you are used to hiking in high temperatures, it is advisable to opt for one of our half-day itineraries, perhaps from the afternoon to sunset. If the civil protection has issued an orange or red weather alert, the excursion to Pantalica must be postponed or canceled.

Information and Booking

Contact us to book a walking tour or for information about the rates of tailored tours. To answer your questions please let us know: how many people you are, date or period of the year for the visit, requested language. The 'Pantalica & Calcinara' tour is a half-day visit bookable in the morning or in the afternoon (please have a look at the section 'meteo conditions'), below. Meeting point with the guide will be near Ferla. You will receive every detail in the booking confirmation mail.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation for our private tours is possible up to 7 days before the tour. For further information please have a look at our complete terms and conditions.

Meteo conditions

In the period between mid June and mid September there are extreme temperatures in Sicily with often about 35-40°C (95-105° F) during the day. Our private tours are bookable at your preferred starting time but during the summer months, considering that there is no shadow on the plateau, we suggest to book a Pantalica tour in the afteroon, few hours before sunset. Contact us for tips about the best starting time or the different options for the visit.
Meteo alerts: In case of heavy rain there can be rock fall danger in Pantalica. For this reason in case of red meteo alerts communicated by the regional civil protection it will be necessary to move the tour to another day or cancel it. Usually the heavy thunderstorms are in Sicily between mid September and October. In some cases, after heavy rains the reserve remains closed to visits for some days.

Other Pantalica tours

Below you can see some of our other Pantalica tours. For further information have a look at the detailed pages or contact us.