During a 5-day stay in Sicily, one thing is certain: we want to visit a beautiful gorge. It quickly becomes clear that the Alcantara Gorge needs to be on our Sicily must-see list; according to many, it’s one of the most stunning gorges on the island. And so it happened. After visiting Mount Etna and before heading to the ancient Greek theatre in Taormina, Ortigia (Syracuse), Noto, Marzamemi, Cefalù and Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, we decide to visit Gole Alcantara first thing in the morning on the second day of our trip.
How the Alcantara Gorge was formed
The Alcantara Gorge lies just outside the borders of Parco dell’Etna National Park. It’s estimated that around 8,000 years ago, during an eruption of Mount Etna, lava flowed into the valley where the Alcantara River runs. As the lava came into contact with the water, it cooled so rapidly that basalt columns were formed. The lava layer was dozens of meters thick. At a later stage, an earthquake split the thick lava field, creating the 500-meter-long gorge.
Best time to visit the Alcantara Gorge
Our decision to head to the Alcantara Gorge early in the morning turns out to be a very good one. The parking lot is quiet and we get our entrance tickets quickly. From above, we see only a few people in the gorge, so we immediately take the elevator down. We’ll save the walk along all the viewpoints above the gorge for later in the day. We walk along the little beach, take off our shoes and step into the water. It’s ice-cold, but that doesn’t stop us—we’re eager to explore deeper into the gorge. Walking barefoot isn’t exactly pleasant… tip: bring water shoes. They’ll make a big difference.
Walking through the water in the Alcantara Gorge
The gorge is absolutely stunning. The light reflects off the water’s surface, beautifully illuminating parts of the gorge walls. The further you walk into the gorge, the deeper the water becomes and the current gets stronger as well. At its widest point, the gorge is about 5 meters wide; the narrowest sections are barely 1.5 meters across, I’d estimate. When I spot a small waterfall in the distance, I realize I can’t go much farther. It’s really getting deep now and my shorts are already quite wet. The current is so strong that it’s hard to keep my balance and I feel uneasy going further with my camera. But wow—just catching a glimpse around the corner, it looks absolutely stunning. Especially with the way the light shines in!
The beaches in Gole Alcantara
There are several little beaches in the gorge. When you take the elevator down, the longest beach is directly in front of you, on the right side of the water. On the opposite bank, there’s a smaller beach. Further downstream, you’ll spot many small patches of white sand between the large boulders—perfect if you’re looking for a bit more peace and quiet… something I can definitely imagine if you arrive later in the day. By the time we leave the gorge, the beaches are covered with towels and the place is getting crowded. I’m so glad we came early! So, the best tips I can give you: go into the gorge right after it opens and bring water shoes and swimwear.
Gole Alcantara Parco Botanico e Geologico
The Alcantara Gorge has more to offer than just the water in the beautiful gorge. The Gole Alcantara Parco Botanico e Geologico offers a botanical garden above the gorge with viewpoints that provide a great view of the river. The walk through the botanical garden, past the viewpoints, is 1.2 kilometers long. Is it worth it? Meh. I’ve seen more beautiful botanical gardens, but it’s nice for a stroll and also a fun way to see the gorge from above. Not really into flowers, plants and trees? You can also opt for an entrance ticket that only covers the gorge at the ticket counter.
Viewpoints above the Alcantara Gorge
Along the 1.2-kilometer route above, there are several viewpoints. The path is flat, but there are stairs leading to each viewpoint, as they are all slightly lower down in the gorge. I don’t think the views are that impressive—there are only a few spots where you have a really nice view of the water. Of course, creating a viewpoint in such a narrow gorge is tricky. So, anything you get is a bonus.
Glamping Alcantara
Want to stay longer near the Alcantara Gorge? You can choose to stay in the glamping tents next to the botanical garden: Glamping Alcantara. From here, it only takes a few minutes to walk to the edge of the gorge and you can even be the first to step into the water in the morning.
Exhibition
On your way to the exit, don’t forget to step into the exhibition room. Here, you’ll find many photos with accompanying information about the gorge. It’s incredible to see how high the water can rise in spring, when large amounts of meltwater flow through the gorge. It’s also interesting to see the old photographs and learn more about the geology of this area.
