Pantalica

There are four main entrances to get into this wonderful area: two on the upland, one on the Ferla side and the other on the Sortino side. The two towns are divided by the Calcinara valley and the two entrances are about 50-60 minutes apart.

For those interested in archaeology, it is recommended to enter through the Ferla gate. Reach the village and follow the signs for Pantalica. A few kilometres before the “Sella di Filiporto”, you will find an information point of the forestry service: you can stop and ask for a map of the area. On this path, called “Giarranauti”, you can visit the necropolis, the anaktoron (the so-called “prince’s palace”), a Byzantine village and three rocky oratories. Further on, you will hike down to the Calcinara stream.

It is also possible to reach Calcinara from the Sortino entrance. You can visit the bat cave along the way and enjoy a great view of the necropolis.

If you just want to enjoy unspoilt nature, you can access the Anapo valley from one of the two entrances at Sortino or Ferla. The entrances are connected and the 13 km path is mainly flat. Also from this access point, if you feel like walking through history: the trail is the old route of the railway built in the early 1900s, it ran from Syracuse to Vizzini. There are no tracks left today, but you can still walk through the old, cool tunnels and visit the museum, which is now housed in the former railway station.