Cassaro

La Valle dell’Anapo

ldpadmin — Wed, 10 May 2023 10:17:32 +0000

La Valle dell’Anapo ldpadmin Sat, 18/11/2023 - 11:51

Language ENG

OpenRunner ID:

16106416

HUB

Cassaro

Ferla

Sortino

Mappa: La Valle dell’Anapo

La Valle dell’Anapo

Video 360°

Sortino, Piazza Santa Sofia

Ferla, Chiesa di S. Antonio Abate

Riserva Naturale Pantalica - ingresso Ferla

Cassaro, Piazza Matrice

Solarino, Piazza del Plebiscito

Riserva Naturale Pantalica - ingresso Solarino

Rating

7.7

97Km

GPX track

Smart Land Iblei - 3 La Valle dell'Anapo

medio

Start:

Sortino

Finish:

Sortino

Stage

Sortino - Ferla

Medium

Distance

20.40Km

(20.40Km/tot.)

Height difference

402m+

The stage is not very long, but it has a constant ascent for the entire SP29 until the intersection with the SP10. It reaches an altitude of 785 meters above sea level, and then it descends to 560 meters at Ferla, where the POINT is located at the Church of St.
Antonio Abate. The road is beautiful, safe and panoramic. The traffic of vehicles is rare, except in the areas of the city limits. In F Ferla, it is recommended to take the "Via Sacra" with the bike to be able to visit the five Baroque churches.

Stage

Ferla - Cassaro

Medium

Distance

28.40Km

(48.80Km/tot.)

Height difference

494m+

The stage, through the SR11 (Ferla-Pantalica-Sortino), lonely road without end, leads to the entrance of the "Riserva naturale orientata Pantalica" and allows you to immerse yourself in the territory in the suggestible necropolis, and not far from the road, to admire the ruins of the "Anaktoron di Pantalica", a megalithic building known as the "Palazzo del Principe". The return to Ferla is still from the SR11 but with a deviation towards the communal stadium road with an imperfect foundation. From Ferla we take the SP10 towards Cassaro where, in the Piazza Matrice, we find the POINT. From Cassaro also begins the trail dedicated to blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati which, along the valley of the Anapo and thyme, reaches Buscemi. Generally good roads with low vehicle motor traffic.

Stage

Cassaro - Sortino

Demanding

Distance

48.00Km

(96.80Km/tot.)

Height difference

704m+

The final stage, considered quite challenging, reaches its maximum height of 628 meters at the intersection of SP45 with SS124. For many kilometers, we descend to Solarino, and then we face the plain, with some ascents and descents, until we start the climb that leads to Sortino, where the car race known as the "Cronoscalata Val d'Anapo - Sortino" takes place. The roads are mostly in good condition with limited vehicle traffic. After reaching Sortino, we descend down the valley until we reach the POINT at the entrance of the Nature Reserve – Sortino side. The extraordinary journey has now concluded, but not for those who, equipped with an MTB, want to prolong the experience and immerse themselves even further in the heart of the Necropolis of Pantalica.

Gradient:

1600mt.

Slope max

9.00%

Surfaces:

Asphalt

Bicycle type:

All

The "La Valle dell’Anapo" tour offers a 97 km route divided into three stages with a total difference in height of 1,600 meters. If you intend to face this route of medium difficulty in one go, it is recommended to divide it into at least three parts in order to enjoy the very suggestive places and breathe the air of the Pantalica.

The first one starts off at Sortino, the east entrance to the Natural Reserve. From the baroque village, hometown of honey
and the well-known pupari, the "Puglisi", you face the provincial road n°29, initially dug into the rock. The road continues to Ferla and reaches 785 meters above sea level at the intersection with provincial road n°10, and then descends to the town, the western gate of Pantalica.

From Ferla, a beautiful and lonely road without end (SR Ferla - Pantalica - Sortino) allows you to immerse yourself in the mysteries and wonders of the Necropolis of Pantalica, so much so that upon reaching the end of the route, a good idea could be to descend on foot to immerse yourself in the refreshing waters of the Calcinara stream, which flows between the high walls of the canyon, and then discover one of the many caves present, starting with the Grotta del Pipistrello. With the return to Ferla the total is of 48.8 km and 896 meters of difference in height and a good dose of beauty to justify a long stop in the beautiful Baroque city where churches are not lacking.

The second part of the trip includes a return to Sortino passing through Cassaro with 48 km of cycling and 704 meters of difference in height.

From Cassaro, climb up and down among olives and carob trees until you reach the Solarino plain, then climb up again to encounter the Anapo valley and the old railway station to reach Sortino. After that, descend towards the eastern gate of the Pantalica where the journey can end, now provided with rich knowledge. The roads used are usually secondary with relatively low traffic. With a few exceptions, their maintenance status is good. The index of accessibility and safety is high with a rating of 8.6/10.0.

For those who have spare time and a MTB, it is recommended to visit Sortino and plan a hiking expedition along one of the most beautiful routes in the Anapo Valley, a unique environment with a path that runs between the Anapo and Calcinara rivers and which combines the beauty of the Pantalica necropolis with the charm of a journey along the abandoned railroad with its tunnels and still visible industrial archaeological artifacts. Due to the presence of multiple gates to be crossed, it is
recommended to visit with an accompanying guide or otherwise obtain prior authorization from the Regional Forest Company.

Tracciato itinerario

Il Fiume Cavagrande

ldpadmin — Thu, 04 May 2023 11:02:39 +0000

Il Fiume Cavagrande ldpadmin Sat, 18/11/2023 - 11:32

Language ENG

OpenRunner ID:

16102609

HUB

Mappa: Il Fiume Cavagrande

Il Fiume Cavagrande

Canicattini Bagni, Pro Loco

Canicattini, Fontana "Re Canali"

Cassaro, Piazza Matrice

Buscemi, Fontana Grande

Palazzolo Acreide, Teatro Greco

Rating

7.3

122Km

GPX track

1_Smart_Land_Iblei_Il_Fiume_Cavagrande.gpx

facile

Start:

Canicattini Bagni

Finish:

Canicattini Bagni

Stage

Canicattini Bagni - Canicattini Bagni

Medium

Distance

43.00Km

(43.00Km/tot.)

Height difference

639m+

The stage starts from the GATE in Canicattini Bagni, located in the heart of the historical center, then joins the SP74 until km 5, where it merges into the SR15, or the "cyclists' road" but also frequented by many vehicles. Until Cassibile, the road descends for several kilometers in flatlands. After, we climb up to the Traversa del Marchese and the lonely road of the Cugni, where we must pay attention to the damaged road in some areas. The traffic is almost absent, and the path around the perimeter of the natural reserve is of great charm. At the top, sculpted into the rock, is the emblem of the marquisate of Cassibile. It reaches an elevation of 478 meters above sea level with brief stretches of double digits. The stop at Canicattini Bagni is situated at the liberty fountain "re canali."

Stage

Canicattini Bagni - Cassaro

Medium

Distance

23.00Km

(66.00Km/tot.)

Height difference

534m+

Short stage with some difficulty, as at km 57, an altitude of 629 meters above sea level is reached. After crossing the historic bridge of Sant'Alfano, take the SP86 road towards Cugno Case Vecchie. Magnificent olive groves and stone walls line the road in decent
condition, except for an interruption for a landslide at km 50. The passage is guaranteed for bikes. At km 54 you enter the SS124 Siracusana to continue in the direction of Cassaro, along the SP Cassaro-Montegrosso. A series of beautiful turns upwards, starting
from the entrance to the Riserva Valle d’Anapo, finally lead to the POINT in Cassaro located in piazza Matrice.

Stage

Cassaro - Buscemi

Easy

Distance

11.10Km

(77.10Km/tot.)

Height difference

297m+

The third stage is considered easy because its shortness, but it is always uphill, and the total of difference in height is 297 meters, until an altitude of 763 meters above sea level just before reaching Buscemi, where the POINT is located next to the Fontana Grande. The traffic is light and the road surface of SS 124 and SP39 is always in good condition. However, there are some problems with the road surface and maintenance of SP7, which will accompany the cyclist for over 7 kilometers.

Stage

Buscemi - Palazzolo Acreide

Easy

Distance

9.00Km

(86.10Km/tot.)

Height difference

251m+

Like in stage n°3: few kilometers but a moderate climb, enough to be called an easy route that, through the SP39, SS124, SP23, SP90 and SP24, leads to Palazzolo Acreide from the west side of the city and meets the former Palazzolo-Buscemi railway station.
The road surface is good, and the traffic is moderate, if not very limited in some parts.At the POINT, located at the Teatro Akrai, we reach the highest height of the entire route: 759 meters above sea level. From the Teatro Akrai you can descend to visit the magnificence of the baroque city or, if you have an MTB, to take a panoramic path that leads to the old railway station from which you can take a stretch of the old railway called the "Ciccio Pecora", a Ragusa merchant who exhibited in his store a train toy similar to the one used at the time.

Stage

Palazzolo Acreide - Canicattini Bagni

Easy

Distance

35.60Km

(121.70Km/tot.)

Height difference

373m+

The roads that lead from Palazzolo Acreide to Canicattini Bagni are good, but with a few more cars in some stretches, particularly near the two settlements. The only exception is the one found along the SP86 due to the landslide that can be found at km 114. Before entering the path, you will go through the SP24 and the Bauli street, where, at the feudo Bauly, the cyclist can find assistance in case of need. There are no particular difficulties, except for a brief stretch along the SP86. The arrival is at the GATE at the Pro Loco, located in the historical center of the Liberty city.

Gradient:

2067mt.

Slope max

11.00%

Surfaces:

Asphalt

Bicycle type:

All

The "Fiume Cavagrande'' tour offers a 122 km route divided into five stages with a total difference in height of 2,067 meters.

If you intend to face this route of medium difficulty in one go, it is recommended to divide it into at least three parts in order to enjoy the very suggestive places and breathe the air of the Iblei.

The first one sets off from the liberty of Canicattini Bagni and returns there, at the Ancient Fountain "re canali", after 43 km and 617 meters of difference in height. Those who will cycle with the appropriate calm will have the privilege of admiring the landscape of the quarry and its caves, which view can be enjoyed from the Cavadonna bridge. After the plain, the road of Diego which crosses the Sicilian countryside until Monasteri, the well-known "cyclist road", which leads from
Floridia to Cassibile but with some motor vehicle traffic, is taken. Soon it enters the SP 73 (Traversa del Marchese di Cassibile) and, through the ancient and winding "Strada dei Cugni" you will be able to embrace the hidden wonders in the "Riserva Naturale Cavagrande del Cassibile", the Cava Grande and the suggestive ponds. Having some free time, you can explore the wonders hidden in the natural reserve by following the numerous trails and even take a bath in the clear waters of the Avola lake.

The second part of the itinerary, after crossing the legendary Bridge of S. Alfano located at the exit from Canicattini Bagni, traversing fields of olive trees and reaching the Anapo Valley, brings us to Palazzolo Acreide with a stop at Cassaro and Buscemi, small baroque pearls of the Val di Noto. In total, it is 43.1 km with 1082 meters of elevation, but it is worth traveling, because the stop in Palazzolo Acreide, the crossroads city of cultures and a UNESCO World Heritage site, will probably be enough to consider spending the night there.

The third part of the itinerary allows you to return to Canicattini Bagni in a relaxing way by crossing the Feudo Bauly. It is only 35.6 km with a difference in height of 368 meters, which is why a stop in Bauly is mandatory. Bauly is a small medieval village transformed into a modern accommodation facility where you can feel the authenticity of Sicily. The Bauly forest, populated by mushrooms and black truffles, invites you to an MTB excursion and a following stop to enjoy the precious meats of the feud.

In general, the roads, all paved, are not very busy, although you should be careful to follow some sections with an imperfect surface. Therefore the ratings for road accessibility and safety for the route are 8.1/10.0.

Tracciato itinerario