Cefalu Trail & Ranch, Sicily
Horses
Type of horses:
Anglo Arab, Andalucian, Sicilian, Ponies
Nature of horses:
Forward going, responsive
Height of horses:
13 - 16 hh
Weight limit:
90 kg
Tack type:
English, Trekking saddles
Weather
Current Conditions:
Fair, 24 C
Forecast:
Fri - Sunny. High: 27 Low: 23
Sat - Sunny. High: 26 Low: 23
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
Nature Park Trail
£920 per person based on double room accommodation includes full board, riding and support vehicle.
10% discount for groups of 4
Price does not include flights or travel insurance.
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
From this ranch situated near Cefalu we can offer you some wonderful horseriding. Cefalu and the Madonie represent an area unspoilt by pollution and where you can enjoy the fantastic variety of landscapes from the back of a horses - mountains, forests, lush vegetation and the typical Sicilian landscape which can be desert like.
The ranch is a wonderful base for a holiday and you can ride across the beautiful Sicilian landscape returning to the ranch each day and where you will have time for other activities. Families will enjoy the relaxed ambience and the riding tailored to suit.
We are pleased to offer a new horseback riding journey which will surprise even the most seasoned rider with its beauty– as you ride through four Sicilian parks: the Madonie, Nebrodi, Etna and Alcantara. The itinerary from Cefalù to Taormina is characterised by an evocative landscape, a mixture of history, culture and traditions.
The diversity and beauty of Sicily is such that German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote: "To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is to not have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything."
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
The ranch is situated 3 km from the village of Sant'Ambrogio in beautiful countryside against a background of forests filled with oaks, beach and ash. The village boasts a supermarket, a pizzeria and a restaurant renowned for its fresh fish. The pebbled beach is 3/5 km from the property. The ranch has twenty bedrooms with ensuite facilities, the rooms are air conditioned and some have little kitchenettes. The beautiful town of Cefalu is only 8 km away.
One of the pleasures of Sicily is the wonderful food, hearty meat stews, fresh fish, chocolate and marzipan are some of the highlights. With a history of plagues and power struggles, bread has always been a staple of the Sicilian peasant and is coarse and golden, fashioned into a myriad of shapes. Baked bread is treated with the greatest respect and in the past only the head of the family had the privilege of slicing the loaf. Simple pasta dishes are available on every menu along with delicious fresh sauces and local cheese. You will get the opportunity to taste some wonderful regional dishes on this trail. Sicilian wine and beer will be welcome at the end of a day's riding and it is said that you will never get a dud coffee in Sicily.
Activities
Cycling, diving, fishing, water sports, trekking, mountain biking, windsurfing, tennis, sailing, golf, snorkelling, skiiing
Further Details
Languages: Italian, English
Health requirements: Fit & Healthy for the trails
Age limit: 12 plus for trail
Tuition: On based programmes
Included: Accommodation and riding.
Not included: Flights, travel insurance, drinks, airport transfers,
Travel Information
Easyjet flies to Catania Airport from London Gatwick (June - November only).
British Airways flies to Catania from London Heathrow or Bristol.
Since April Ryanair no longer fly into Palermo but Trapani which is 40 minutes away.
Transfers are available.
Airport: Catania
Alternative Airport: Palermo
Programmes
Nature Park Trail
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This new horseback riding journey will surprise even the most seasoned equestrian with its beauty– as you ride through four Sicilian parks: the Madonie, Nebrodi, Etna and Alcantara. The itinerary from Cefalù to Taormina is characterised by an evocative landscape, a mixture of history, culture and traditions. Through the ancient “Regia Trazzera” across the “Madonie” park – you will follow old trails where Sicilian "Cowboys" used to drive their herds from winter mountain pastures to summer lowland pastures - and onward to the “Nebrodi” and to the slopes of Mt. Etna. The “Madonie” park, created in 1988, protects the variety of wildlife and vegetation present in the island. A land rich with history: Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Normans all had influence on the towns and villages in this area of Italy. Steeped in history, here you will find castles and monasteries unique in Italy and the theatre of the famous “Targa Florio" car race. The “Nebrodi” contains over 70 km of mountains in which 50% of Sicilian forests are found; this is truly the green heart of the island. Riding onto “Alcantara” park where waters flow for about 40 km in-between castles and stunning landscapes, complete with lava gorges and native vegetation. Mt. Etna is unique in the Mediterranean. Its continuous succession of eruptions and variety of terrain from the sea to the forest, makes it a diverse ecosystem in which an incredible quantity of animals and plants are founded. Itinerary Day 1: Transfer to Cefalù. There will be a briefing on the Cefalu crossing and questions on the ride will be answered. Dinner and overnight stay. Day 2: After breakfast you will departure from Cefalù. Cefalu is known as the fabulous pearl of the Tyrrhenian, one of the most beautiful destinations in Sicily famous for its beautiful Arab-Norman cathedral and for the famous portrait of the unknown sailor Antonello da Messina. You will ride through the forests of the Cefalù countryside that connect to Pollina and Finale di Pollina, arriving at Tusa mountain. This first route starts at sea level and continues along the coast for about half of the trip, crossing vineyards, olive and ash trees that are typical of this area. Next you cross the Pollina river. Afterwards, you ride across vast hilly pastures where agriculture is still the main profession. Your stop tonight is in Tusa, a medieval town where you can still feel the rural traditions of their land. Dinner and overnight stay in this beautiful place. 30km, 6 riding hrs Day 3: This medieval town of Tusa is mentioned by Ptolemy of Alexandria in the 2nd century B.C. It was founded between the 8th century and the 9th century by Halaesa refugees and destroyed by an earthquake in 856. Continuing your journey you ride towards Castel di Lucio and then to your final stop- Mistretta where you can admire a gorgeous little lake called Urio Quattrocchi located on the slopes of Mt. Castelli. This second trek will cross a common mountain landscape of cork and oak woods. Mistretta is an ancient medieval village rich with history, located at the edge of the “Nebrodi” at about 900 meters above the sea level, built on the crown of a mountain. Here you will have a lovely dinner and spend the night. 35km, 7 riding hrs Day 4: Departure from Mistretta towards Villa Miraglia, a 35 km journey with 8 hours of riding. Today you will ride to Cesarò village where you can see the beautiful lake here which contains luxuriant vegetation only found at this altitude. On this fourth day you will cross dirt paths running on the tops of the mountains and forests rich with vegetation. Then you will discover the Giumenta wood of oak and beech, ending at the mountain pass “portella del contrasto.” Next you will cross a sort of natural tunnel inside the wood, almost impenetrable to sunrays but rich with indigenous plants. Here you are in “San Fratello” territory where you can admire the typical “San Fratellani” horses. Here you spend the night after another delicious dinner. 35km, 8 riding hrs Day 5: After breakfast you will ride from Villa Miraglia towards Floresta. Perhaps the hardest ride of the entire journey but also the best! At this point of your ride you are right in the heart of Nebrodi park where the altitude is considerable; from sea level to Mt. Soro the altitude soars to 1847 m. Other towering vistas are Serra del Re, Pizzo Fau and Serra Pignataro. This tract runs at the slopes of mount Soro (1847 m), along the “biviere of Cesarò”, a natural high mountain lake. The “biviere” is an ideal place for bird watching because it is home to many types of birds including ‘his majesty the griffin.’ In these lands you can find the famous black pig of the Nebrodi, suidae, a hybrid boar from which typical cold cuts are produced. Dinner and overnight stay at Floresta. 38 km, 8 riding hrs Day 6: Departure from Floresta. - a Sicilian town which boasts the highest altitude, located 1275 m from sea level. Set in an excellent position at the border of Catania district, it rises on the watershed between the high valleys of the Alcantara river (tributary of the Ionian Sea) and the torrent Naso. You ride on towards Roccella Valdemone. On the Floresta trail you are in the land of the Tholos, complete with ancient buildings of stone walls and straw roofs and the most famous Sicilian Caciocavallo. The small and ancient village is located in a fabulous plateau at 1300m, made up by wide pastures and dense forests which seem to touch the snow-capped Etna. Today you start the descent along the south side of the “nebrodi.” Your route takes you through valleys and in between the sweet hills of the Alcantara and Etna. Once in Etna the landscapes change, with wide vineyards surrounding Randazzo. The land here is volcanic with fertile black soil. 22 km, 5 riding hrs Day 7: Departure from Roccella Valdemone. The terrace of Sicily, Roccella Valdemone rises close to the western foothills of the southern Peloritani. At Giardini Naxos you will say a fond goodbye to your trusty horses - they will stay at a local stables for a well deserved rest and riders will transfer to the accommodation here. Final dinner at the Cruyllas Castle of Calatabiano. 17 km, 4 riding hrs Day 8: Departure after breakfast or extend your stay with a few days in Taormina. |
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| Minimum group size: | 8 |
| Maximum group size: | 16 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate+ and fit |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 6-8 hours per day |
| Departure dates: | May-October |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |