Day Trip To The Alcantara Gorge In Sicily

Amazing Sights On A Day Trip To The Alcantara Gorge In Sicily

We were staying under Mount Etna in Sicily and headed out for a day trip to the Alcantara Gorge.  After a little reconnaissance the previous day, we were prepared.  We knew the route, where to park and the various activities offered in the Alcantara Gorge  Botanical and Geological Park (Gole Alcantara).  

The Alcantara Gorge was a spectacular canyon with 50m (165 ft) high basalt walls formed along the Alcantara River by lava flows from Etna.  We went down into the canyon and saw the steep sides from below.  And then walked the upper path to the stunning viewpoints of the basalt walls and down into the canyon.  It was a great adventure on our visit to Sicily.

A Little About The Alcantara Gorge

The Alcantara Valley and the gorge was on the fertile north-west flank of Mount Etna.  It was an easy day trip from our stay under Mount Etna and was also easily visited from Taormina on the coast of Sicily.  

The Alcantara River flows down the northern slopes of Mount Etna.  About 8,000 years ago, the river was blocked when lava erupted from Mount Etna.  The lava was quickly cooled by the river water.  This crystallized the lava and formed unique basalt columns.  Over the years, the river has carved out a path through the columns to create the Alcantara Gorge.  In places the river in the gorge flows over rapids and flows over small waterfalls.

The Alcantara Gorge is a spot that locals enjoy.  And the large park is a major tourist spot.  After spending some time high on Mount Etna, we were excited to see more about the impact this active volcano had on the surrounding geology.  A a day trip to the Alcantara Gorge was perfect.

We Scouted The Location In Advance

We were out for a drive so we decided to check out the location of the Alcantara Gorge and options for visiting on another day.  Using our map app, we first found the public access area.  There was limited local parking at this spot.  And after parking, it was a long walk down 200 stairs to the main platform.  We later learned that from there, we could buy a ticket and use the elevator to go to the very bottom of the gorge.

We kept driving and finally found the main Alcantara Gorge park with a large parking lot and a concession for tickets.  There were different types of entry fees.  All tickets included the elevator down to the water level.  On top of the basic ticket we could purchase tickets for the shuttle.  

We learned that the shuttle stayed only on the upper garden level.  We we still needed the elevator to the bottom.  And for most of the viewpoints you needed to leave the shuttle and head down rocky paths for the view.

There were also different attractions at the site – bike tours, body rafting and long hikes in the gorge could be booked.  For children, there was a separate water park.

We were convinced on our early scouting visit to return for a day trip to the Alcantara Gorge.

Seeing The Gorge From The Other Side

Before we headed back, we consulted our map.  It appeared that there was a path and viewing area to see the Alcantara Gorge from the other side.  When I selected the spot on the other side of the gorge, Apple Maps offered me two paths.  With no further information to help pick a route, we chose one.  And it turned out to be the very wrong route!

After we crossed a single lane bridge, we saw the narrow dirt road that led back in the direction of the gorge.  We were not totally sure what the sign said but we later figured out it was for residents only.

As we moved along, the road became more narrow and there was only room for one car at a time.  We drove many of these twisty narrow roads on our visit to Hawaii.  The Jeep we rented was ok with the rough road.  But we sure hoped we did not meet another car.  We finally stopped when we saw what looked like a large rock river bed.  I must admit we both thought about driving it.  But common sense kicked in. 

A multi-point turn took us back along the narrow road.  We met a local on the road who kindly backed up to a passing point so we got past.  We let out a sigh of relief when we were back on solid ground.

On our scouting day we did not go and check out the other route that Apple Maps offered.  But we were not surprised when we visited the gorge to look across and clearly see a viewing spot on the other side.  There were stairs and a parking lot.  So had we taken the other route we might have got an early glimpse of Alcantara Gorge from the other side.

Planning for our day trip to the Alcantara Gorge, we found many different ways to get a view.  And at least one way not to go!

Exploring The Bottom Of The Alcantara Gorge

The next day we headed out to enjoy a day at the Alcantara Gorge.  We arrived just after opening and parked in the large lot.  We checked all over and found no parking fee sign.  Having looked at the ticket options the day before, we decided to just get a basic ticket that included the elevator down to the bottom of the gorge.

Since the park was very quiet at opening time, we wanted to start down in the gorge.  Following the signs, we walked down a few sets of stairs and found the elevator to go down the steep incline.   From the top, we got our first view of the basalt columns and the narrow opening to the Alcantara Gorge.  

At the bottom, there were still more stairs to finally get to the bottom.  The water was quite calm before it went into the canyon.  We looked up and saw the quite distinctive basalt columns in the canyon walls.  It reminded us very much of the first time we saw such basalt features when we visited the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. 

The water was quite cold but we knew in the middle of summer it was a refreshing swim.  We walked to the opening and saw the canyon walls climbing high above us.  When we visited Zion National Park in Utah, the fast waters at the bottom of a similar canyon was often hiked.  We did not come prepared with the right footwear to head further along the river.

We sat and enjoyed the views.  It was quite tranquil early in morning before the crowds arrived.  When we looked down later in the day, it was not so empty.  But we sure loved the start to our day trip to the Alcantara Gorge.

Wandering Through The Gardens

We took the elevator back up to the upper level and headed towards the gardens.  The first stop was at the small Museum of Land.  We learned a little about this area and the formation of the Alcantara Gorge.

The upper path wandered through green areas.  We saw trees, flowers, cactus and more as we slowly moved along. We even found a few spots for younger children to enjoy.

The upper path went in circular path.  Along the path there were rocky paths down to viewpoints over the gorge.  We stopped at every one and amazing views from above.  

Viewing The Alcantara Gorge From The Top

We stopped first at the Three Lava Flows Balcony (Balcone Delle Tre Colate).  This gave us our first experience with climbing down for a viewpoint.

The second stop was at the Love Terrace (Terrazzo Dell’Amore). It was said that the goddess Venus made love with the God Vulcan at this spot.  A post office box for love letters was a cute touch.  Looking down the basalt columns we found the waters quite calm below at this point.

Stopping at the viewpoint at the Muses Balcony and Amphitheater (Balcone E Anfiteatro Delle Muse) gave us another look at the steep canyon walls back.  We saw all the way back to the lower area we started at.

The Beginning Of The Gorge

Stopping at the Venus Balcony (Balcone Di Venere) we made our way down the stairs and rocks staying far away from the fenced off sheer drops.  We got great views of the basalt columns.  And the raging rapids below us.

Our last viewpoint stop was at the Vulcan Tumult (Il Tumulto Di Vulcano) named for the God Vulcan.  We looked at the calm start of the water flows as they tumbled over small waterfalls and built speed. From this starting point, the river violently forces its way through the basalt columns. 

We got a beautiful view from this point.  We sat and marvelled at the power of nature to carve the Alcantara Gorge.  And we were so glad we got so many amazing views down to the gorge on our day trip to the Alcantara Gorge.

Delighted With Our Day Trip To The Alcantara Gorge

We slowly made our way back through the gardens and got to our parked car.  We enjoyed a full day as we explored the Alcantara Gorge from the lower and upper levels.  It was an unexpected treat on our visit to Sicily.  

Have you done a day trip to the Alcantara Gorge?  Were you amazed with this amazing sight?

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