The Magna Via Francigena by bike
the Magna Via Francigena by bike
the magna via francigena by bike
A trip by bike to discover a little known Sicily, where time flows more slowly and where hospitality and food are truly genuine. Following ancient trazzere in the footsteps of the Franchi knights and shepherds you will know the most authentic Sicily of the Sicani Mountains, with its enchanting landscapes, the expanses of wheat, the old farms and olive groves, a land rich in history and charm enclosed between two seas.
overview
from
€ 440
cycling days
4 or 7 days
distance
200 km
participants
1 - 6
type of tour
self-guided
period
01/03 - 31/10
from
€ 440
cycling days
4 or 7 days
distance
200 km
participants
1 - 6
type of tour
self-guided
period
01/03 - 31/10
Accommodation in a double room
Luggage Transfer
Insurance
Hotline 24/7
Roadbook
Transfer to Palermo (5 / 8 days tour)
SIngle Room Supplement (5 / 8 days)
Mountain Bike Hire (5 / 8 days)
Mountain E-Bike (5 / 8 days)
Guide / Tour Leader
Included
Included
Included
Included
Included
Extra / Included
€80 / € 140
€60 / € 100
€ 180 / € 230
Extra
Accommodation in a double room
Included
Luggage Transfer
Included
Insurance
Included
Hotline 24/7
Included
Roadbook
Included
Transfer to Palermo (5 / 8 days tour)
Extra / Included
SIngle Room Supplement (5 / 8 days)
€80 / € 140
Mountain Bike Hire (5 / 8 days)
€60 / € 100
Mountain E-Bike (5 / 8 days)
€ 180 / € 230
Guide / Tour Leader
Extra
itinerary specs
starting point
Palermo
arrival point
Agrigento
elevation gain
5355 m
bike type
MTB/Trekking
skill level
medium
fitness level
medium - high
Tipo di Strada e altimetria
the right bike for this tour
The Rockhopper is a lightweight, agile and sturdy MTB with a high-performance XC geometry to tackle the trail with efficiency on the plains, uphill and downhill with maximum fun. Ideal for bikepacking or a weekend exit and ideal bike to face a journey along one of Sicily’s Vie Francigene thanks to the possibility to mount the rear rack.
Frame Ultralight Aluminium A1
Fork Manitou Markhor 29 – 90/100 mm
Gear Set Shimano SLX 2×10
Brakes Shimano BR-M365 hydraulic Brakes
Frame Size M – L
1 day 25 euros
2 days 50 euros
3 days 70 euros
1 week 150 euro
Cauzione: 250 euros
Included: tire repair kit, lock, rear rack, double face SPD/flat Shimano Pedals.
Extra Accessories:
Helmet
Rear Rack
Fenders
Ortlieb Panniers
… starting from 5 euro
Garmin GPS Navigator
Garmin Virb Action Cam
…starting from 10 euro
8 days / 7 nights itinerary details
8 giorni / 7 notti
itinerary details
Day 1. Palermo
Individual arrival in Palermo. Welcome to our Cowork Magneti infopoint and bike-fit on rental bikes to set them and improve their comfort. Short briefing on the tour, on the use of the app and on the characteristics of the walk. At the same time, the informative material and the pilgrim’s credential has been released by the Association of Friends of the Franciscan Way of Sicily. Overnight in hotel or B & B.
Day 2. Palermo – Santa Cristina Gela
Delivery of bikes and accessories to the Cathedral of Palermo, starting point of the journey. Stage of heating with a first stop at the Cathedral of Monreale (recommended visit to the Cathedral UNESCO heritage), continue by bike to Santa Cristina Gela, one of the Italian-Albanian communities of Sicily where they speak the ancient Albanian language arbërishtja. Do not miss: the famous cannolo which is the reward for the climb faced. Route mostly on paved roads. Urban traffic also intense from Palermo to Monreale. Overnight in B & B / Hotel.
Day 3. Santa Cristina Gela – Corleone
Day 4. Corleone – Prizzi
After the abundant breakfast in the Hotel / B & B the exit from Corleone gives the bicigrino breathtaking and unexpected views of the canyons around the city and the falls of the two Rocche. Leaving the city you discover the most authentic Sicily between fields and farms for which time seems to have stood still for centuries. Prizzi welcomes pilgrims with the typical cordiality of the Mediterranean peoples and the atmosphere of one of the most picturesque villages of the Sicani Mountains. Moderately demanding stop with some steep ascents. Overnight in B & B.
Day 5. Prizzi – San Giovanni Gemini
Along this stage you will cross one of the most beautiful nature reserves of western Sicily: the reserve of Monte Carcaci. Among the treasures that it houses, stands a village built in the early decades of 1900 and then abandoned. The Borgo Riena is one of the most evocative ghost villages of Sicily with its imposing church and abandoned guesthouses marked by time. Shortly after Borgo Riena, you reach Castronovo di Sicilia, the heart of the Magna Via Francigena, with its medieval alleys and its shops. After tasting the Torta del Pellegrino, we continue towards San Giovanni Gemini, a lively and active Sicani town. Challenging stage with dirt uphill. Overnight in B & B / Hotel.
Day 6. San Giovanni Gemini – Racalmuto
This is the most demanding stage of the itinerary but also the most evocative. You conquer the Monte San Paolino that protects from view the characteristic village of Sutera. The coveted goal, made famous by the hundreds of photographs taken by pilgrims who have already traveled the Magna Via, can be reached by pedaling on a dirt ridge that remains etched in memory as a symbolic image of the entire journey. After passing by the charming town of Sutera and the small village of Milena, you reach the charming and picturesque town of Racalmuto, where the photo with the life-sized bronze statue of Leonardo Sciascia is a must. Very demanding stage mainly on dirt roads. Overnight in Hotel / B & B.
Day 7. Racalmuto – Agrigento
The main feature of this stage are the funny ups and downs that accompany the bicigrino from the town of Racalmuto to the famous city of temples, Agrigento, point of arrival of the entire journey. With the excitement and satisfaction of having completed the most famous journey of Sicily, the bicigrino can withdraw the deserved Testimonium at the Diocesan Museum of Agrigento. Stage of average impecation. Overnight in B & B / Hotel.
Day 8. Agrigento – Palermo
After breakfast at the hotel / B & B, a visit to the Valle dei Templi Archaeological Park is recommended. Return to Palermo by minibus including bike transport. Possible return of the rented bikes. End of our services.
5 Days / 4 nights itinerary details
5 days / 4 nights
itinerary details
Day 1. Palermo – Corleone
Individual arrival in Palermo. Welcome to our Cowork Magneti infopoint and bike-fit on rental bikes to set them and improve their comfort. Short briefing on the tour, on the use of the app and on the characteristics of the walk. At the same time, the informative material and the pilgrim’s credential has been released by the Association of Friends of the Franciscan Way of Sicily. Stop at the Cathedral of Palermo for the first stamp on the credential. First stop at the Cathedral of Monreale, UNESCO heritage, continue to Santa Cristina Gela, one of the Italian-Albanian communities of Sicily. Do not miss: the cannolo in Santa Cristina, the Gorges of the Drago before arriving Corleone, the Cascata delle Due Rocche and the CIDMA (anti-mafia museum) in Corleone. Challenging stage. Urban traffic, even intense, from Palermo to Monreale. Overnight in B & B / Hotel.
Giorno 2. Corleone – Castronovo di Sicilia
After the abundant breakfast in the Hotel / B & B the exit from Corleone gives the bicigrino breathtaking and unexpected views of the canyons around the city and the falls of the two Rocche. Leaving the city you discover the most authentic Sicily between fields and farms for which time seems to have stood still for centuries. Prizzi welcomes pilgrims with the typical cordiality of the Mediterranean peoples and the atmosphere of one of the most picturesque villages of the Sicani Mountains. You cross the beautiful reserve of Monte Carcaci with the charming Borgo Riena, built in the early decades of 1900 and then abandoned with the imposing church and the ghost foresterie and marked by time. Shortly after Borgo Riena, you reach Castronovo di Sicilia, the heart of the Magna Via Francigena, with its medieval alleys and its shops. Do not miss: the Torta del Pellegrino. Challenging stage. Overnight in B & B.
Giorno 3. Castronovo di Sicilia – Racalmuto
This is the most demanding stage of the itinerary but also the most evocative. Reached the river Platani we recommend the detour to the Necropolis of Capelvenere. After crossing the lively town of San Giovanni Gemini, we proceed towards Sutera to conquer Mount San Paolino, made famous by the hundreds of photographs taken by pilgrims who have already traveled the Magna Via The mountain can be reached by pedaling on a dirt ridge that remains etched in the memory as a symbol of the entire journey. After passing by the charming town of Sutera and the small village of Milena, one arrives at the charming and picturesque town of Racalmuto, where the photo with the life-sized bronze statue of Leonardo Sciascia is a must. Very demanding stage mainly on dirt roads. Overnight in Hotel / B & B.
Giorno 4. Racalmuto – Agrigento
The main feature of this stage are the funny ups and downs that accompany the bicigrino from the town of Racalmuto to the famous city of temples, Agrigento, point of arrival of the entire journey. With the excitement and satisfaction of having completed the most famous journey of Sicily, the bicigrino can withdraw the deserved Testimonium at the Diocesan Museum of Agrigento. Stage of average impecation. Overnight in B & B / Hotel.
Giorno 5. Agrigento – Palermo
After breakfast at the hotel / B & B, a visit to the Valle dei Templi Archaeological Park is recommended. Return to Palermo by train or transfer by minibus (bike transport included) to Palermo if required. Possible return of the rented bikes. End of our services.
Additional information
The itinerary could also undergo changes at the last moment due to climatic, organizational or local authorities. The route of the Magna Via Francigena passes through little tourist areas where accommodation is limited, so it may be necessary to make small detours or transfers to out-of-town accommodation facilities.
The following documents will be delivered in electronic format 10 days before the start of the trip:
- technical sheet of the holiday with all the information necessary to prepare for the tour;
- baggage insurance policy;
- cancellation insurance (if requested at time of booking);
- holiday voucher confirming the services booked;
- list of accommodation facilities with related vouchers for each hotel / B & B.
For this itinerary a muscular mountain bike is recommended so as not to have the problem of battery autonomy. The MTB Specialized Rockhopper is available in size M and L and is a light bike with tires that offer excellent grip on dirt and are quite flowing on the asphalt. Our bikes are equipped with Shimano SPD / flat pedals. You can bring your pedals if you prefer and we will mount them on the rental bike. At the time of booking it is also possible to rent a helmet. The helmets conform to DIN EN 1078 (CE).
For the duration of the holiday there is an emergency number to contact in case of need: the number of Inspiring Tours is active 24 hours a day.
Medium-demanding route with short, very demanding stretches on mostly low-traffic routes except for city entrances. This tour is designed for people in good health, with a good experience of mountain biking and a good level of training and familiarity on roads shared with vehicular traffic. It is the responsibility of the traveler to undergo a medical examination before the trip and to present, upon request, a medical certificate attesting the suitability to travel by mountain bike.
- Airplane: Direct flights to Palermo from Rome (Alitalia, Ryanair, Vueling), Milan (Alitalia, Easyjet, Ryanair), Bologna (Ryanair), Venice (Volotea), Naples (Volotea), Pisa (Ryanair), Verona (Volotea), Bergamo ( Ryanair), Bari (Volotea), Turin (Ryanair), Treviso (Ryanair). Transfer from the airport to the city by taxi (the standard fare is about 40 euros for the center), taxi (cost 7 euros per person, frequent departures), bus (ticket cost 6.30 euros, departures every 30 minutes). The train is temporarily suspended for work.
- Ferry: Daily connections to the port of Palermo from Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples and Salerno.
- Train: Daily Intercity or Intercitynotte connections to Palermo Centrale from Naples, Rome and Milan.
- Car: Ferry from Villa San Giovanni to Messina and then on the A19 up to Palermo. Toll only for a short distance. If necessary we recommend a secure parking near the port.
All customers who purchase one of our tourist packages are covered by the “medical-baggage” insurance policy of Filodiretto Tour.
All tourist packages provided by our tour operator are covered by our insurance policies:
- RC insurance policy ERV (Europäische Reiseversicherung AG) No. 65580146-RC17
- Guarantee Fund Polizza Filodiretto Protection NR. 6006000972 / K of Filo diretto Assicurazioni SpA
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