One of the most authoritative voices on tourism, the New York Times, includes Sicily among the 52 unmissable destinations of 2025. And it includes it following the path of a new and beautiful route, especially for fans of extreme ecological walks: Sicily Divide, Sicily by bike. This route which, as the name suggests, “divides” the island in two – cutting it along a horizontal line from Trapani to Catania (with a small detour to Palermo) – crosses spectacular and harsh, rugged and complex landscapes. How to travel it? On foot, by bicycle, by mountain bike but also by motorized vehicles. Needless to say, the “top” would be by bike or on foot, but the choice is up to you.
The stages of Sicily Divide
We read on the official website of the route that “Sicily Divide is the adventure cycling itinerary in Sicily that you can travel independently or with one of our groups. Sicily Divide is not a race, there is no one chasing you with a stopwatch in hand, there is no date to respect. You decide when to start, whether to start from Palermo, Trapani or Catania, when to stop and where to sleep. We recommend a trail for gravel, mountain bike or racing bike through spectacular and fascinating Sicily”.
The stages are, apart from the important cities of Palermo, Catania, Enna and Trapani, places such as Gibellina, Sambuca, Santo Stefano Quisquina, Montedoro, Regalbuto. Every year new stages can be added to this map or some routes can be diverted, while always maintaining the “dividing line”.
Why Sicily Divide is the 2025 destination
For the New York Times, the Sicily Divide trail is among the tourist destinations that are worth a visit in 2025 because not only does it lead to discovering hidden and – in some ways – primitive aspects of Sicily, but it allows you to come into close contact with the locals. Information, hospitality, even unexpected help in case of sudden problems (a flat tire, a broken chain) allow tourists to come into contact with the most genuine population of the island.
Therefore, by following the Trapani-Catania route, you immerse yourself in an authentic Sicily that is still little exploited by tourism. By doing so with ecological means, you greatly limit the human invasion and protect these dream landscapes. Furthermore, by relying on the specialized guides of Sicily Divide, you can access many other cycling routes around Sicily.
Etna at the end of the route
Sicily Divide arrives “behind” the great Etna volcano, descending from Regalbuto and Centuripe and passing through Paternò. Therefore, you will have a view of Etna from the west side and the south side, with views that, in good weather, will certainly leave you breathless… and not just because of the effort of the ride!
The route will reach Catania after skirting some of the most beautiful landscapes of Etna, the area of orange groves and low-altitude vineyards that surround Paternò, Ragalna, Nicolosi, Belpasso and Pedara. Imagine, in the event of an eruption, the wonder that will be added to all this…!
Useful information
To best tackle the Sicily Divide route, you can land directly at the airports of the reference cities, Trapani-Birgi and Catania-Fontanarossa. And if after the ride you are still full of curiosity, even if with less energy, no problem: rely on our guided excursions and go and discover Etna and the Catania area comfortably transported by our shuttles! (PHOTOS G. MUSUMECI)