Dive into the gorges of the Alcantara River Park
Walking in the middle of nature, admiring a geological landscape that is absolutely unique in the world. This is what the Alcantara River Park offers. And not only.
Sport and nature in the lava canyons of the Alcantara River Park.Adventuring by practicing body rafting, river trekking or taking a canoe ride through the crystal clear waters of the Alcantara River Park is what awaits you.
The River Park is one of the largest in the world. With its homonymous Gorges it is an essential destination for those in Sicily, after a dip in the art, history and traditions of the island, also want to immerse themselves in itineraries with breathtaking views surrounded by greenery.
The municipalities whose territories are affected by the park are those of Randazzo, Castiglione di Sicilia, Calatabiano, Roccella Valdemone, Mojo, Malavagna, Francavilla di Sicilia, Motta Camastra, Graniti, Gaggi, Taormina and Giadini Naxos. And they fall into the metropolitan cities of Messina and Catania.
Let yourself be carried away by the waters of the Alcantara River Park
Those who want to dare more, but without risking, with body rafting, can be dragged by the water between rapid rocks and waterfalls, with a wetsuit, shoes, jacket and protective helmet.
The colors of the rocks are particular, often hexagonal prisms that take on the most diverse inclinations in the different sections of the river. Organ pipe, harp, fan or arranged with a structure reminiscent of the classic "woodpile".
In the Gorges you can start an original path by immersing yourself in the waters of Alcantara. A journey through lava basalt “canyons” dug over the millennia by the course of the river, formed after an eruption of Etna.
Two new trails in the Alcantara River Park
Numerous paths of the Park. Two new ones will open this year. That of the "Garden Mediterranean" leading up to the basins of the phytodepuration. And where it is possible to learn how the natural water cleaning system works. Is that of "Eleonora ", that runs along the river downstream. It leads to the platano beach via a panoramic staircase immersed in the Mediterranean scrub.
Among the most evocative places in the Park there is the stretch between Castiglione and Francavilla di Sicilia where there is the path The Gurne. And where you can discover the ruins of the Francavilla castle, the archaeological excavations, the know and gurne. The latter are small lakes along the course of the river, where it is possible to stop, created by the incessant erosive action carried out for millennia by the lava flows.
A state-of-the-art park from a technological point of view
Il Alcantara River Park it is also at the forefront from a technological point of view. A modern 4D multimedia room and exhibition elements of the Mol (Museum of Land) introduce the formation of the Gorges and admire the surrounding environment in an innovative and fun way. An environment enriched by scale reproductions of some prehistoric animals that lived in the ancient valley and numerous notice boards and didactic signs.
