Discovering the northern side of Etna and the Upper Alcantara Valley,
at the intersection of the two mountain parks of Etna and the Nebrodi, and the Alcantara river park. From the Zafferana Etnea Bikepoint we climb towards the foothill villages of Milo and Fornazzo, to descend through the vineyards to Linguaglossa. Skimming Etna to the north, we head towards Randazzo, a medieval town that preserves splendid churches and palaces built in lava stone. We continue to Lake Gurrida, originating from the waters of the Flascio river, which has its source in the Nebrodi. Here we can observe many species of aquatic birds flying over the lake surface, in which the volcano is reflected. We retrace our steps and continue descending surrounded by vineyards to the hamlet of Verzella, which together with the nearby Passopisciaro and Solicchiata constitutes the hub of excellent wine production in the Alcantara Valley. A little further on we meet the Byzantine Cuba of Castiglione di Sicilia, a town that we discover immediately afterwards, with Castel Leone dug into the rock, in a superb panoramic position over the Alcantara Valley, Etna, the Nebrodi and the Peloritani. Return from Linguaglossa to Zafferana Etnea. There are many refreshment points, and practicability is always guaranteed.
