In addition to the exciting travel story, we have also included a slide show of the most beautiful pictures, the exact map of the tour, his travel diary and the gpx tracks for our readers.
You can find the GPX track for the tour here:
The new cycle network of the Sicilian tourism project "Medinbike" was the basis for planning the cycle tour. While there are only a few rough climbs along the coast, crossing the island requires fitness and good gear ratios. Our route largely avoids main roads. Instead, we used unsurfaced paths, some of which are not recommended in the rain. Some of the side roads in the interior of the island are sometimes very lonely, steep and far away from the usual civilisation.
Tour itinerary
We covered a total of 577 kilometres and 8000 metres in altitude as a round trip starting in Castellammare. We divided the route into 10 riding days and made a detour to the island of Favignana. However, the stages can be customised as required. Overnight accommodation can be found in almost every town. The only exception is the stage from Sant Angelo di Muxaro to St. Stefano Quisquina (44 km/1500 metres in altitude). There is no overnight accommodation in between. However, those who shy away from solitude and metres in altitude can also take the moderately busy provincial road and spend the night en route.
Journey
We flew with Air Berlin to Palermo (bike transport 60 euros) and had a taxi transfer (100 euros) organised from our hotel of departure to Castellammare.
Maps and literature
Good overview map: Sicily, freytag & berndt, scale 1:150,000, €9.99. For preparation: Sicily, Michael Müller Verlag, €24.90; e-book for travelling: Sicily, Verlag Reise Know How; €20.90;
Helpful for planning your own routes: Sicily by bike, Verlag Wolfgang Kettler, €14.80;
Medinbike project
The Sicilian state government has supported several cycle tourism projects in recent years, which are now summarised on the website www.medinbike.com. The centrepiece is the 600-kilometre cycle route from Trapani to Syracuse along the south coast and on to Malta. Information brochures and GPS data are available for download. www.medinbike.com
Recommended accommodation
Castellammare: Cerri Hotel, www.cerrihotel.it
Perfect starter hotel in the old town not far from the harbour.
Erice: Hotel Elimo, www.hotelelimo.it
Bike hotel with panoramic breakfast room right in the old town centre.
Favignana: Albergo Egadi, www.albergoegadi.it
Personalised hotel with excellent cuisine in the old town.
Selinunte: Hotel Admeto, www.hoteladmeto.it
Sciacca: Hotel Almoro, www.almoro.com
Agrigento: Great bed and breakfast Terrazze di Montelusa, www.terrazzedimontelusa.it
St. Angelo Muxaro: Private overnight stay in the village project Val di Kam, www.valdikam.it
San Stefano: Hotel Pigna d'Oro, www.pignadorohotel.it
Near Corleone: Antica Stazione, www.anticastazione.it
Travelling time
April/May/June and September/October; summer too hot!
A 470 km long cycle tour through the Southeast Sicily you will find here.
The travel report "Deep in the South" from Trekkingbike issue 2/2014 is available as a free PDF download.
