OVERNIGHT // lipari
day 1
THE JOURNEY BEGINS: TOWARDS THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS
CATANIA → MILAZZO → LIPARI
We meet at Catania Airport before travelling together towards the port of Milazzo. From here, we board the ferry with our bikes and leave the Sicilian coast behind as the volcanic silhouettes of the Aeolian Islands appear on the horizon.
Once in Lipari, we check into our accommodation and take time to unpack, prepare the bikes and settle into island life.
In the evening, we’ll meet for a welcome briefing to go through the journey ahead, discuss the trails and get to know the group. Dinner is free, with time to explore Lipari and its local restaurants.
- 32KM
- 850M
- 850M
OVERNIGHT // lipari
day 2
ISLAND SOUL: VOLCANIC TRAILS ABOVE THE SEA
Our first ride begins in Lipari, climbing from the coast towards the island’s wild volcanic interior. The trails cross dark earth, Mediterranean vegetation and exposed ridgelines, with the turquoise sea and the neighbouring Aeolian Islands always on the horizon.
We’ll ride through a constantly changing landscape of prickly pears, volcanic rock and coastal singletracks before descending towards Canneto and the sea.
Back in Lipari, the evening is free to explore the town, discover its local restaurants and settle into the unmistakable rhythm of island life.
LIPARI → CANNETO → LIPARI
- 30KM
- 750M
- 750M
OVERNIGHT // vulcano
day 3
VULCANO: FREERIDE ON THE MOON
LIPARI → VULCANO ISLAND
After breakfast, we board the ferry with our bikes and cross the short stretch of sea between Lipari and Vulcano. Arriving on an island by bike always has something special about it: the pace changes, the roads become quieter and the journey immediately feels more personal.
Vulcano has a character entirely of its own. Beneath the Gran Cratere, we’ll ride across dark volcanic soil, mineral-coloured slopes and open terrain overlooking the Mediterranean. The scent of sulfur mixes with the salty air, while every turn reveals another island on the horizon.
We won’t rush this day. We’ll stop where the views open up, take time to enjoy the silence and let the island set the rhythm. After the ride, we’ll settle into our accommodation and enjoy a quiet evening on Vulcano.
OVERNIGHT // LINGUAGLOSSA
day 4
FROM THE AEOLIAN SEA TO THE SLOPES OF ETNA
Today, we leave the Aeolian Islands behind and begin the second chapter of our journey. We board the ferry in Vulcano with our bikes and watch the islands slowly disappear across the sea as we travel back towards Milazzo.
A private transfer then takes us inland towards Linguaglossa. Along the way, the landscape gradually changes: the coastline gives way to citrus groves, small Sicilian villages and dark volcanic earth, until the immense profile of Mount Etna appears ahead of us.
Once at our accommodation, we’ll settle in, prepare the bikes and take time to discover our new surroundings. The pace is relaxed, giving us the chance to enjoy Linguaglossa and talk through the days of riding that await us on the volcano.
VULCANO → MILAZZO → ETNA NORTH
- 30KM
- 500M
- 1500M
OVERNIGHT // LINGUAGLOSSA
day 5
WHERE THE FOREST MEETS THE LAVA
PIANO PROVENZANA → ETNA NORTH
Our first day on Mount Etna begins with a morning transfer to Piano Provenzana, where the scale of the volcano immediately becomes clear. From here, we set out across a landscape shaped by eruptions, wind and time.
The terrain changes constantly beneath our wheels: open lava fields give way to black volcanic sand, natural ridgelines and forest singletracks. We’ll choose the best lines according to the conditions, taking time to stop, look around and understand the powerful landscape we are riding through.
As we lose altitude, the volcanic terrain gradually softens into pine and birch forest. We finish the day back on Etna’s northern slopes, carrying the dust of the volcano and the feeling of having entered a completely different world.
- 35KM
- 650M
- 1400M
OVERNIGHT // LINGUAGLOSSA
day 6
BENEATH THE VOLCANO: FORESTS AND ANCIENT LAVA
ETNA NORTH → LINGUAGLOSSA
After yesterday’s open volcanic landscapes, today we discover a quieter and more hidden side of Mount Etna. A shuttle-assisted start takes us back into the higher forests of the northern slopes, where the trails disappear beneath pine trees and native Etna birches.
The riding alternates between flowing forest singletracks, natural technical sections and old lava fields slowly being reclaimed by vegetation. The terrain changes quickly, and each transition reveals another chapter in the long relationship between the volcano and the people who live beneath it.
We’ll take time to connect the best sections according to the trail conditions, finishing with a long descent towards Linguaglossa. Back at our accommodation, there is time to relax, share the stories of the day and enjoy another evening in the heart of Etna country.
- 35KM
- 650M
- 1,400M
overnight // LINGUAGLOSSA
day 7
ONE LAST LINE THROUGH FIRE
ETNA NORTH → LINGUAGLOSSA
After yesterday’s open volcanic landscapes, today we discover a quieter and more hidden side of Mount Etna. A shuttle-assisted start takes us back into the higher forests of the northern slopes, where the trails disappear beneath pine trees and native Etna birches.
The riding alternates between flowing forest singletracks, natural technical sections and old lava fields slowly being reclaimed by vegetation. Along the way, we pass small volcanic cones — the vulcanelli — while yellow broom and delicate wildflowers emerge from the black soil, bringing unexpected colour to the slopes of Etna.
The terrain changes quickly, and each transition reveals another chapter in the long relationship between the volcano and the people who live beneath it. We’ll connect the best sections according to the trail conditions, finishing with a long descent towards Linguaglossa.
- END OF THE TOUR
- CATANIA AIRPORT
day 8
ONE LAST LOOK AT ETNA
After our final breakfast together, we pack the bikes and leave Etna North for the transfer to Catania Airport. As we descend towards the coast, the volcano remains behind us on the horizon — one last view of the landscape that shaped the final days of our journey.
What began with a ferry crossing towards Lipari now comes to an end beneath Mount Etna. We say goodbye at Catania Airport, taking home the dust of the trails, the colours of the islands and the shared moments that made the journey ours.
ETNA NORTH → CATANIA AIRPORT
tu. tips
a VOLCANIC LOVE STORY
In Sicily, volcanoes are not simply part of the landscape — they are living presences. Etna is “Idda” — She — the elegant and powerful Mother who watches over the island. Across the sea stands Stromboli, known as “Iddu” — He — the restless spirit of fire, rising from the waters of the Aeolian Archipelago.
Legend says they are eternal lovers, separated by the sea but connected deep beneath the earth. When Idda breathes smoke into the Sicilian sky, Iddu answers from the horizon with the glow and rhythm of his eruptions. Two volcanoes, two different souls, always looking towards one another across the Mediterranean.
Our Tip: As you ride across the black sands and ancient lava of Etna, stop for a moment and look towards the sea. You are not simply crossing a volcanic landscape — you are riding between two islands, two stories and one of nature’s most powerful love legends.
Trails unlimited - Guiding services & MTB coaching provided by:
Manuela Corsaro– VAT N° IT09287921218 – Certified MTB Guide (Liguria Region).
Stefano Scialli – VAT N° IT01756140081
– Certified MTB Guide (Piedmont & Liguria Regions) and FCI Certified Instructor.- Technical Travel Organization by our partner Tour Operator Siam Viaggi.