MTB GROUP CYCLING TOUR IN SICILY MTB GIRO DI SICILIADiscover the northeast of the Mediterranean island of Sicily by mountain bike! Set your preferred dates and let us and let us organise a custom MTB group cycling tour in Sicily for your cycling group. On this...
MTB Giro di Sicilia
MTB GROUP CYCLING TOUR IN SICILY
MTB GIRO DI SICILIA
EXAMPLE GROUP PACKAGE (FROM 8 PERSONS)
Discover the northeast of the Mediterranean island of Sicily by mountain bike! Set your preferred dates and let us and let us organise a custom MTB group cycling tour in Sicily for your cycling group. On this challenging, full service stage tour, we explore the iconic lava landscape of Mount Etna, cross the stunning Monti Peloritani mountain range, and ride along the Tyrrhenian north coast and the Ionian east coast. Check out our example group package below and keep in mind: everything can be customised to your wishes. You ride, eat, sleep and enjoy, we take care of the rest!
CUSTOM MTB GROUP CYCLING TOUR IN SICILY FROM BIANCAVILLA NAAR ACI CASTELLO
Ciao ragazzi! Do you want to discover Sicily by mountain bike together with your cycling friends? During the MTB Giro di Sicilia, we explore the northeast of this Mediterranean island. We start in Biancavilla, at the foot of Mount Etna, and finish in the beautiful coastal town of Aci Castello. The absolute highlight of this full service stage tour is the lava landscape of Mount Etna, the famous active volcano. To find the very best routes in this area, we work closely with our local contacts. We cross the rugged Monti Peloritani, where narrow singletracks, green forests and spectacular sea views alternate. We ride towards the Tyrrhenian north coast and explore the Ionian east coast, passing picturesque villages made world-famous by The Godfather films, with the historic coastal town of Taormina as a true highlight.
On several stages, you can choose between a tougher black route and a less demanding red route. The black routes cover just over 350 kilometres with nearly 9,000 metres of altitude gain. If you opt for the red routes, you will ride approximately 325 kilometres and gain just under 8,000 metres in elevation. The start and finish locations are easily reached via a short transfer from Catania Airport. This group package was developed following a successful custom cycling tour we organised in 2024. Click here for a short report.
stages
5
Overnight stays
6
Best period
April, May, September, Oktober
Toughness
Distance (KM)
Red routes: 325
Altitude gain (m)
Red routes: 8000
Explanation Toughness routes
Is this your first cycling tour in the mountains and are you wondering if you can handle our routes? Or are you an experienced climber and are you curious whether the challenge is interesting enough for you? Using our five-point scale, we help you gain insight into the toughness of our routes. Based on the number of polka dots you can easily see if the routes of this cycling tour match your level and ambition!
all fit cyclists
reasonably trained cyclists with some climbing experience
trained cyclists with climbing experience
trained cyclists with a lot of climbing experience
well trained cyclists with a lot of climbing experience
Within stages we often offer different routes so that groups with cyclists of different levels can participate in the cycling tour:
red = easier route
black = tougher route
If you are unsure whether the routes are suitable for you and your cycling friends, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to help you!
EXPLANATION EXAMPLE GROUP PACKAGE
Inspiration for your group package
An example tour is a fully designed stage tour. We have selected the most beautiful cols, designed well-balanced routes and chosen cyclist-friendly hotels. This example group package gives you an idea of what a stage tour in this cycling region could look like. You can book this tour for your cycling group (from 8 people) or use it as inspiration for your own custom group package.
Let us know your preferences, and we can adapt this example tour (and the price) for your group. Consider options such as adding or removing a stage or col, choosing different routes or overnight stops, including a rest day, or selecting more luxurious hotels. If you wish to travel with a group of fewer than 8 people, we will provide a custom price.
Our Terms and Conditions apply to this tour. The listed prices are based on the indicated best periods, include our full-service approach and VAT.
STAGE 1: THE LAVA LANDSCHAP OF MONTE ETNA
Our MTB Giro di Sicilia starts in Biancavilla, an authentic Sicilian town located at the southern foot of Monte Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano. The road immediately ascends! Through the Ciancio Forest, we reach the route of the Pista Altomontana, a stunning gravel loop around the flanks of Etna. We ascend through a forested area with black lava fields to Monte Fornello (1,934 metres). Just before the summit, we pass through Pietra Cannone, which means cannon stone. This name refers to a remarkable natural phenomenon: when flowing lava from a volcanic eruption encases a tree trunk, a hollow stone is formed in the shape of a cannon barrel. We cycle to the northern side of Etna and descend on a paved road towards Linguaglossa.
‘The absolute highlight of the Giro di Sicilia is Mount Etna, but Sicily has so much more to offer for mountain bikers.’
STAGES 2 & 3: PICTURESQUE VILLAGES AND THE MONTI PELORITANI
In Stage Two, we ride alternately over gravel and paved roads towards Milazzo on the Tyrrhenian north coast. Shortly after the start, we enter the Monti Peloritani, a rugged mid‑mountain range with peaks exceeding 1,300 metres. Along the way, we pass several picturesque Sicilian villages, such as Francavilla and Novara. The highest point of this stage is Monte Tre Finaite (1,229 metres). In Stage Three, we cross the Monti Peloritani towards the Ionian east coast. We climb unpaved trails through a beautiful MTB area to Pizzo Mualìo (1,026 metres), following the flow of the Torrente Mela. In the finale of this stage, the black route offers an optional climb to Savoca, a beautiful village featured in The Godfather films, as well as Forza d’Agrò, where the stage finishes.
STAGES 4 & 5: TAORMINA, MOUNT ETNA AND ACI CASTELLO
We continue our tour through the Monti Peloritani. Via Forza d’Agrò, we ride into a stunning, rugged area with narrow, winding trails; an absolute MTB paradise! The route is continuously uphill or downhill, featuring four major climbs; on the black route, these add up to nearly 2,400 metres of elevation gain. We finish in the historic town of Taormina, the Pearl of the Ionian Sea. This is a beautiful, historic coastal town with the Greek‑Roman theatre as its highlight. In the final stage, we head back towards Monte Etna. We ascend the volcano to approximately 1,500 metres before descending southeast. We finish on the Ionian coast in the picturesque seaside town of Aci Castello, where we can conclude our adventure with a refreshing swim in the sea.
WHAT's INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
The price includes:
- Hotel accommodation in nice, cycle-friendly hotels on the route (double room, 6 nights)
- Breakfast (6 times) and dinner (6 times)
- Participation in the stages prepared by Grand Cols Cycling Tours (5 stages)
- Professional, digital road book with all relevant route information
- GPX files for uploading routes to navigation devices
- Picnic lunch, coffee stop with good, freshly ground coffee and sports nutrition (sports drink, water, bars, etc.) during the stages
- Support during the stages with a support car, for example: handing over clothing and carrying out minor repairs
- First aid and AED
- Luggage transport from hotel to hotel
- Help with minor repairs along the way and the use of a bicycle pump, lubricant and bicycle tools
- Grand Cols Cycling Tours cycling jersey (contact us if you would like to design a custom jersey)
- Participation in the VZR guarantee scheme
The price does not include:
- The outward journey to the starting location and the return journey from the finish location
- Personal insurance, such as travel and cancellation insurance
- Drinks during the dinners
- Transfers from en to the airport vliegveld
- Equipment (you participate with your own equipment, such as: bike, helmet and clothing) or you rent a bike in Sicily
Optional extra:
- Upgrade to a single room € 250,–
- Additional overnight stay (without dinner) before the start of the cycling tour (double room): € 100, –
- Have us transport your bike to and from a location in the Netherlands (where and when we will determine in consultation): € 75, –
- Help you find a bike rental company and collecting and returning rental bikes near Catania: € 0, –
- Commonly used spare parts, such as: tyres, cleats and batteries (at cost price)
Anything else? Let us know!
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
DISCOVER THE MTB GIRO DI SICILA
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A SELECTION OF OUR EXAMPLE GROUP PACKAGES
Take up the challenge and discover the most beautiful Grand Cols with us.
MTB Giro di Sicilia
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