How fit for Sicily?
Long days on the bike. Big views. The kind of tired that clears your head. Gravel roads, mountain passes, and a group that keeps the pace honest. Here's what that means in practice, day by day.
- Difficulty
- —
- Duration
- 7 days
- Group
- Up to 14 participants
- Dates
- Oct 3–10, 2026
What it asks, day by day.
Day 1 starts in Catania. You'll fly in, then we drive to Nicolosi, a small village on Mount Etna's slopes. We'll build the bikes and spin a short setup ride if you need it. That night we eat at a family agriturismo, with real Sicilian food and Etna views. Slow, warm, and the mountain waiting close by.
Day two is our warm-up. We spin 55 km through vineyards and black lava fields, climbing about 1,000 metres in three or four hours. We roll past Adrano and cross the old stone Ponte dei Saraceni. We ride on to Bronte, home of green pistachios. Evening is yours. Picture gelato, Etna glowing behind you, legs slowly waking up.
Day 3 is the big one. We climb Etna from the south, up the old Milia road that the Giro d'Italia once used. That is 70 km and 1,700 m of climbing, so four or five hard hours. The switchbacks bite. At the top sits Rifugio Sapienza, 1,900 m high, with the Ionian Sea far below.
Day four takes us north. We ride through chestnut forests and old lava flows on Etna's quieter slopes. You'll tackle the Cerrita forest and the Citelli climb, about 60 to 70 km with 1,200 m of climbing. Late afternoon, we taste local wine at a small Etna winery. Volcanic soil, soft sunset light, and producers who know this land.
Day 5 is the big one. We ride 70 to 80 km up to Piano Provenzana, with 1,700 to 1,900 m of climbing. The land shifts as we go higher. At the top we pause for a slow mountain lunch. We share sunset, food and drinks. Maybe a 4x4 ride to 2,900 m. Then we eat together. Etna glowing below us.
Day 6 is goodbye for most of the team. We share breakfast, then ride to Catania airport. But a few of you stay on. We leave Etna behind with an easy 40 to 50 km spin toward the Nebrodi mountains, climbing 800 to 1,000 m. We stop for coffee. Black lava fades to soft green hills.
Day 8 is our last morning on the bike. We ride an easy 20 to 30 km, with just 300 to 500 m of climbing. You'll join me for a slow spin through quiet roads, taking in the last Sicilian views. Then we stop for a slow coffee in a small village. One quiet cup. The hills behind us.
Good questions
How fit do I need to be for Sicily?
This trip is demanding. See the day-by-day breakdown on this page for what it asks. Expect a short call before you commit so we can tell you honestly whether it's right for you.
Am I too slow for Sicily?
Group trips aren't races. Marta Torá sets a standard you need to meet, not a pace you need to beat. If you can meet the standard, you belong. The call before you commit is where we settle it.
What if I'm not fit enough yet?
Apply anyway and tell us where you're at. Trips are scheduled months ahead, and after you join the team you get a training plan and a kit list. Many participants arrive a different athlete than they applied as.