The charm of a bucolic and uncontaminated landscape to explore, among the highest peaks of Mount Purace up to the top in the clouds, to touch the sky with a finger. An adventure to discover the myths of the shepherds of the Madonie and the most authentic and forgotten Sicily. If that’s what you’re looking for, you can’t miss the “Gratteri and its craters” tour.
Meet at the district Capo dell’acqua where, together with our guides, we will climb the peaks of Mount Purace – the Gattarelle – up to an anthropomorphic rock, modelled by wind and snow, similar to a gigantic stone face on which millennial stories of shepherds where told.
Later, we will pass before deep karst gorges “gli abissi della Prace”, right there, where the ice spring of the Fridda originates that flows downstream becoming the Cefalino, “purer than silver, colder than snow” which dissolves between the warm waters of a crystal clear sea through the wash-house of Cefalù.
The first refreshment will be in Piano Prato, just at the foot of Pizzo Dipilo, with panoramic views of Isnello. At this point, by sitting and aiming at interminable spaces and superhuman silences you will really understand what the poets called “Infinity”.
The last destination is the Grattàra Cave, a must on the legendary route in Gratteri. It is a beautiful cave with a very pure source that probably helped to give the name to the village itself.
Inside the Cave, we will tell you the mysterious story of the Vecchia and the source of the Nymph, a legendary female entity, probable legacy of a millennial myth linked to the existence of a primordial indigenous oracle near a madonite outpost inhabited since prehistoric times. The tour includes a narrator who will accompany you on a fascinating trip in the heart of the Madonie.
What’s included:
This itinerary includes the following steps:
- Capo dell’acqua;
- Testa di Dafni (Head of Daphnis);
- Abisso Prace (Prace abyss);
- Mountain cross and panoramic view of Isnello;
- Pizzo Occhio;
- View of Collesano;
- Abbey of San Giorgio;
- View of Piano Prato;
- Grotta Grattara.
Information about places
Visit the website for more information
Excursion period and time
Time: from 9.00 to 18.00 (please arrive about 30 minutes before departure).
After the excursion you will have the opportunity to: taste typical products of the place, have lunch at the restaurant or outdoors using a catering and buy typical local products.
Possibility of overnight stay.
Meeting point:
Departing from Capo dell’Acqua.
Type of excursion
The whole itinerary takes 6-7 hours.
Group size
The excursion is subject to the minimum number of 10 participants.
What to bring
Sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, long trousers, comfortable and closed shoes (sneakers or boots), a bottle of water, umbrella, heavier clothes for the evening (it can cool down on the mountains).
Days excursion
- Please consult the calendar of events.
- Every day by previous reservation with a minimum of 10 participants.
Difficulty of the excursion
Medium/High
Price of the itinerary € 60
(Excursion with guide + lunch)
The price includes transport, the assistance of a guide and a narrator, packed lunch that will be tasted during the excursion in a characteristic place with typical Sicilian products (drinks included).
Extra cost
Shuttle bus Gratteri/Cefalù – Cefalù/Gratteri cost.
Based on the number of participants will be established the time of departure and return.
Meeting point in Cefalù – Railway Station
Meeting point in Gratteri – Belvedere Gangi Battaglia
What to know
The itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.
The company reserves the right to change or cancel the itinerary if necessary due to availability and/ or adverse weather conditions.
Participants must sign a waiver before taking part in the excursion.
Note: Guides reserve the right to judge the level of experience of each participant. If they find the participant unfit, the participant will not be able to take part in the excursion. No refund will be issued.
For more details of the excursion and itinerary map, please visit the following link: eventi.visitgratteri.com