Cyclists ascending a dramatic Sicilian mountain road

THE MOUNTAINS

Iconic Climbs of Sicily

From Etna's volcanic moonscape to the medieval walls of Erice, these are the ascents that define Sicilian cycling — tested by the Giro d'Italia and beloved by those who know.

Legendary Climbs

Profiled in detail

1,892 m

Highest Summit

Etna Nicolosi

35+

Giro Stages

Hosted on the island

18%

Steepest Gradient

Erice from Trapani

WHY SICILY CLIMBS DIFFERENT

Where Volcanoes Meet the Sea

Sicily's climbs are unlike anything on the Italian mainland. Here, you ascend active volcanoes, ride roads carved into medieval clifftop fortresses, and cross mountain ranges where wild horses roam. The variety is extraordinary: within a single week you can tackle Etna's 1,900 m lunar ascent, the savage ramps of Erice from sea level, and the long alpine-style passes of the Madonie.

Many of these roads have been battlegrounds for the Giro d'Italia, where legends like Coppi, Nibali, and Contador have attacked. But you don't need to be a professional to ride them — our guided tours take you up every one of these iconic ascents, at your own pace, with full vehicle support and local knowledge that only former pros can provide.

GIRO STAGE

EASTERN SICILY

Mount Etna (Nicolosi Side)

Summit

1,892 m

Length

22.4 km

Avg Gradient

6.2%

Max Gradient

14%

Elevation Gain

1,390 m

The south face of Etna from Nicolosi is the most classic approach, used multiple times by the Giro d'Italia. Starting from the charming town of Nicolosi at 700 m, the road winds through citrus groves, then dense chestnut and pine forests, before emerging onto the dramatic volcanic moonscape above the tree line. The final kilometres through black lava fields with no shelter from the wind are unforgettable.

DID YOU KNOW?

In 2011, Alberto Contador attacked on this very road during a Giro stage. The volcano erupted ash the same day, covering riders in fine black dust. The segment from Rifugio Sapienza to the observatory is sometimes closed due to volcanic activity.

PRO TIP

Start early. The lower slopes are shaded by forest, but above 1,500 m there is zero shade and the wind can be brutal. Bring a gilet for the descent - temperatures can drop 15 degrees from base to summit.

GIRO STAGE

EASTERN SICILY

Mount Etna (Linguaglossa Side)

Summit

1,810 m

Length

19.8 km

Avg Gradient

7.1%

Max Gradient

15%

Elevation Gain

1,310 m

The north side of Etna is widely considered the hardest and most spectacular approach. From the vine-covered slopes around Linguaglossa, the road ramps up steeply through ancient beech forests. The final 5 km above Piano Provenzana are savage - exposed switchbacks through a landscape destroyed by the 2002 eruption, with gradients regularly hitting double digits.

DID YOU KNOW?

This is where Vincenzo Nibali, the Sicilian 'Shark of the Strait', has trained countless times. The 2002 lava flow buried the original ski station and several kilometres of road, which were rebuilt on top of the hardened lava. You can still see buildings half-swallowed by rock.

PRO TIP

The north side is noticeably cooler and wetter than the south. The road surface in the final kilometres can be rough, with volcanic gravel washed onto the tarmac. A compact crankset is strongly recommended.

WESTERN SICILY

Erice

Summit

751 m

Length

10.2 km

Avg Gradient

7.0%

Max Gradient

18%

Elevation Gain

715 m

A spectacular ascent from sea level in Trapani to the medieval mountaintop town of Erice, perched dramatically above the western coast. The road features tight hairpin bends carved into limestone cliffs, with jaw-dropping views of the Egadi Islands and the salt flats of Marsala unfolding below. The final approach through the ancient stone gateway into the town is pure magic.

DID YOU KNOW?

Erice was sacred to the ancient Greeks and Romans as the site of a temple to Venus (Aphrodite). The mountain creates its own microclimate - it is often shrouded in cloud while Trapani below basks in sunshine. The 18% ramps in the first 3 km from the coast catch many riders off guard.

PRO TIP

The steepest section comes right at the bottom, so warm up properly before attacking. The reward at the top is one of the best panoramas in all of Sicily, plus excellent almond pastries from the famous Maria Grammatico pastry shop.

GIRO STAGE

NORTHERN SICILY

Piano Battaglia (Madonie)

Summit

1,600 m

Length

25.3 km

Avg Gradient

5.4%

Max Gradient

12%

Elevation Gain

1,370 m

The crown jewel of the Madonie mountain range and a regular Giro d'Italia venue. The classic approach from Collesano winds through the heart of the Madonie Natural Park, climbing through oak and beech forests, past shepherds' stone huts, and into a high-altitude plateau ringed by limestone peaks. The Madonie are sometimes called 'Sicily's Dolomites' for their craggy beauty.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Madonie were the original home of the legendary Targa Florio motor race (1906-1977), which used many of the same roads cyclists ride today. Pizzo Carbonara (1,979 m), the highest peak in the Madonie and second highest in Sicily after Etna, looms over the final kilometres. Snow is common here in winter.

PRO TIP

This is a long climb with constantly changing gradients. The section between Petralia and Piano Battaglia features some exposed ridgeline riding with crosswinds. Bring plenty of food and water - there are no services for the final 15 km.

GIRO STAGE

NEBRODI MOUNTAINS

Portella Mandrazzi

Summit

1,125 m

Length

18.6 km

Avg Gradient

5.8%

Max Gradient

11%

Elevation Gain

1,050 m

A hidden gem in the Nebrodi Mountains that has featured in multiple Giro stages. The ascent from the Alcantara valley near Francavilla di Sicilia climbs through dense forests of cork oak and holly, across high meadows where semi-wild horses and pigs roam freely. The summit pass connects the Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts with spectacular views in both directions.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Nebrodi are home to the Sanfratellano horse, a rare breed descended from horses brought by the Normans in the 11th century. You will almost certainly encounter them grazing by the roadside. The local 'suino nero' (black pig) produces some of Italy's finest salami, found only in this region.

PRO TIP

The descent toward the north coast is long and fast with sweeping bends - one of Sicily's best downhill stretches. Combine this with an Etna climb for an epic double-header day.

PALERMO

Monte Pellegrino

Summit

606 m

Length

5.8 km

Avg Gradient

8.5%

Max Gradient

16%

Elevation Gain

493 m

Goethe called it 'the most beautiful promontory in the world', and climbing Monte Pellegrino by bike you will understand why. Rising dramatically from the northern edge of Palermo, this short but fierce ascent features relentless gradients and tight switchbacks carved into sheer limestone cliffs, with the entire city and the Conca d'Oro valley spread out below.

DID YOU KNOW?

The mountain houses the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia, Palermo's patron saint, in a cave near the summit. Every year on 14 July, thousands of Palermitani make a barefoot pilgrimage up this road. Goethe visited in 1787 and was so moved he devoted an entire chapter of his 'Italian Journey' to this mountain.

PRO TIP

At under 6 km, this is a perfect after-breakfast training effort. The road is open to traffic and can be busy, but early morning rides offer empty roads and golden light over the Gulf of Palermo. The bar at the top makes excellent granita.

NUMBERS & STORIES

Strava Segments & Curiosities

The facts, records, and strange tales that make Sicilian cycling culture truly unique.

Etna KOM: 58 minutes

The Strava King of the Mountain record from Nicolosi to Rifugio Sapienza (1,390 m gain in 22 km) stands at just under 58 minutes, set by a World Tour rider during a winter training camp. For reference, a strong amateur typically takes 90-110 minutes.

Sicily's Everesting Record

In 2021, a local Catanese cyclist completed an Everesting on the Zafferana side of Etna, repeating the 8 km segment 12 times in 14 hours and 22 minutes to accumulate 8,849 m of climbing - the height of Everest.

Targa Florio Strava Segment

The 72 km Piccolo Circuito of the historic Targa Florio car race through the Madonie has an active Strava segment. Cyclists regularly ride this iconic loop, competing for the KOM on roads where Nuvolari and Fangio once raced.

Giro d'Italia in Sicily

Sicily has hosted 35+ Giro d'Italia stages since 1930, more than any other island. Etna alone has been a summit finish 8 times. The 2023 Giro's fourth stage finished atop Etna via the brutal Ragalna approach, rarely used before.

The 'Muro di Taormina'

The short, savage ramp from the coast road up to Taormina centre averages 12% over 2 km, with a 20% kicker at the Porta Messina gate. It features in local race circuits and has broken the legs of more than a few overconfident tourists.

Annual Elevation: 50,000 m+

Serious local cyclists in Catania routinely log over 50,000 metres of climbing per year - nearly six times the height of Everest - thanks to living at the foot of the volcano with every ride starting with an ascent.

LEGENDS OF THE ISLAND

Sicilian Cycling Figures

Vincenzo Nibali

'LO SQUALO DELLO STRETTO'

Born in Messina, Nibali is the last Italian to win the Tour de France (2014) and one of only seven riders to complete the Triple Crown of Grand Tour victories. He grew up training on Etna's slopes and the Peloritani mountains, and still rides these roads today. His attacking descending style was forged on Sicily's winding coastal roads.

Damiano Caruso

RAGUSA TO THE PODIUM

From the hilltop town of Ragusa in southeastern Sicily, Caruso rode to second place at the 2021 Giro d'Italia in a remarkable performance. A loyal domestique turned Grand Tour contender, he represents the tenacity and quiet determination characteristic of Sicilian cycling culture. His local training roads through the Val di Noto are among our favourite tour routes.

The Targa Florio Legacy

FROM CARS TO BIKES

The Targa Florio (1906-1977) was the world's oldest sports car race, run on 72 km of public mountain roads through the Madonie. Today, those same hairpin bends and dramatic ridgelines are a cyclist's paradise. The annual Gran Fondo Targa Florio cycling event traces the historic circuit, attracting thousands of riders to roads where automotive legends once battled.

READY TO CLIMB?

Ride These Climbs With Us

Every iconic climb featured here is part of our guided tour packages. Our former pro guides know every switchback, every place to refuel, and every hidden viewpoint. Let's plan your Sicilian climbing adventure.

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