Description of the Grand Alcantara quad tour
Itinerary
This excursion is the ideal tour for those who want to discover the beauty that Sicily hides from us, in a unique and adventurous way. In this tour we start from the refuge on Mount Etna and we descend to altitude and head with our quad bike through old paths of black lava dust until we reach Linguaglossa.
Castiglione di Sicilia
We continue our quad tour through vineyards and hazelnut groves until we touch the characteristic village of Castiglione di Sicilia. Castiglione di Sicilia is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and characteristic for its medieval centre. After a short stop our quad bike tour proceeds towards the icy waters of the Alcantara river, which flows on a basalt millennial of an old eruption of about 8000 years ago.
Cuba Byzantine
Our tour after this stop starts again between the fragrant scent of citrus fruits and the colors of prickly pears. We meet the “Byzantine Cuba”, which is a small early Christian chapel dating back to the 7th century.
Eruption of 1923
We drive through dusty dirt and hazelnut groves and arrive on the last eruption that threatened the town of Linguaglossa “the miraculous eruption of 1923”. It was called so precisely because of the miracle that in 1923 was made by Sant’Egidio, stopping the force of nature at the first home of the village. The citizens of Linguaglossa carried the patron saint on their shoulders at the end of the village and laid down his stick until the lava flow stopped a few metres away.
The quad bike tour will go up among the scent of coloured brooms and lava until the return to the refuge. During the stops our expert guide will tell you the history of the places where you stop.
At the end of the Grand Alcantara quad tour you will feel like the real protagonists of an unforgettable undertaking and you will keep an indelible memory of this part of Sicily that you visited.
The route
The Grand Tour is suitable for both beginners and professionals and is always carried out in small groups and completely outdoors. This quad bike tour is the best way to experience an adventurous and adrenaline-filled excursion. The Grand Alcantara tour lasts about 3.5 hours with departure and arrival at Rifugio Ragabo – Etna Nord.
The route is technical and very fun with more than 70% of the route off-road. During the tour we guarantee safe distances so you can breathe the fresh air, and the scents that nature gives us.
The quads are automatic and easy to drive. In maximum safety they can transport even 2 people.
Highlights of the tour:
- Technical and entertaining route
- 1923 Lava flow
- Discover authentic villages
- Wine road
- Castiglione di Sicilia
- Linguaglossa
- Alcantara River
- Cuba Byzantine
- Rediscover historical routes
Details Grand Alcantara quad tour
Availability
From April to October, every day upon reservation
Timetable
Departure from 09.00 a.m. or 2.30 p.m.
Duration
About 4 hour
Quad
Polaris Quad, automatic, 2-seater
Included
Helmet, hair net disposable, petrol, assistance guide
Recommended clothing
Closed shoes, sunglasses, dust bandana and a jacket
To bring
Driver’s license, rental agreement
Quad tour restrictions
Driver
To drive a quad bike you must have a B license and a minimum age of 18 years.
Pregnancy
Pregnant women can’t come on the tour.
Fitness
Not recommended for travelers with back problems.
Children
A minimum age of 6 years is required. Children can only come as passengers.
Meeting point
Etna Quad
Strada Mareneve
95015 Linguaglossa (CT)
Directions
Our tours start from Rifugio Ragabo, Linguaglossa – Etna Nord. The easiest way to get to us, is to drive to Linguaglossa. From here you take the street up to Mount Etna (strada Mareneve). Follow this street for more less 20 minutes (13 km) and you find the Rifugio on your left hand. You can park here for free, there is enough space. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of the tour.
GPS coordinates
37˚ 48’29.6”N
15˚ 04’28.8”E
