ALCANTARA GORGES EXCURSIONS

Dream Island takes you on a journey of discovery through an enchanting Sicilian lava canyon: our Alcantara Gorges excursions are waiting for you!

Choose from the best tours to the Alcantara Gorges and venture through the striking basalt walls while you let the waters of the Alcantara River carry you away!

Free cancellation

5 stars on TripAdvisor!

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Free cancellation

5 stars on TripAdvisor!

No prepayment

ALCANTARA GORGES EXCURSIONS

In the heart of Sicily, between the slopes of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea, lies a magical and evocative place: the Alcantara Gorges. A natural lava canyon carved by the Alcantara River over thousands of years, offering visitors a spectacle of rare beauty. The Alcantara Gorges are located in the Alcantara Valley, between the towns of Motta Camastra and Castiglione di Sicilia.

The lava walls of the Gorges reach a height of 30 meters in some places, and the width of the canyon varies from 2 to 5 meters. The characteristic exposed walls, composed of peculiarly shaped basalt prisms, are the result of more recent flows that cooled rapidly in contact with the water of the Alcantara River. The geometric shapes, reminiscent of organ pipes, create a unique and fascinating atmosphere.

An excursion to the Alcantara Gorge is a must-do experience for those who love nature and river adventures. Several trails, suitable for all experience levels, allow you to explore this enchanted lava canyon.

If you want to visit the Alcantara Gorges spending a beautiful day between mountain and river, we recommend our best-selling tour “Etna and Alcantara Gorges Excursion”. An unmissable opportunity to climb the highest active volcano in Europe, admiring ancient craters and lava flows, exploring a lava cave, enjoying a typical Sicilian lunch, and then plunging into the coolness of the Alcantara Gorges and discovering the secrets of this magical place.

If you want an adrenaline-pumping experience on four wheels you will definitely love the Alcantara Quad Tour. A quad tour that will take you through the wildest trails of the Alcantara River Park, crossing fords and dirt paths in the park.

If you are a lover of river adventures, the “Alcantara body rafting and river trekking” activity at the Alcantara Gurne is the perfect experience for you. A diving and body rafting adventure among the picturesque waterfalls and natural ponds of the Alcantara Gurne.

If you are an enthusiast of horseback tours, don’t miss our scenic horseback ride in the Alcantara Valley. Our half-day or full-day itineraries, suitable for experienced riders, will take you from the edge of the Mount Etna Park to the tranquil and fascinating landscape of the Alcantara.

Choose the Alcantara Gorges tour that suits you best and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in the heart of Sicily!

Alcantara Gorges Tours

The Alcantara Gorges constitute one of Sicily’s main attractions, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in a unique landscape. These gorges, carved within ancient lava flows from Mount Etna, offer visitors a breathtaking scenery that extends through the Alcantara River Park, an area characterized by rich biodiversity and interesting geological features.

The Alcantara Gorges, a spectacular lava canyon
The Alcantara Gorges represent a spectacular rocky canyon located in northeastern Sicily, about 40 km from Taormina. Set in the striking Alcantara Botanical and Geological Park, these lava stone gorges are an extraordinary testimony to the power of nature in shaping the land. The canyon, carved by the Alcantara River within volcanic rocks more than 300,000 years old, stretches for about 7 km, with gorges up to 30 meters high and between 2 and 5 meters wide.
Inside the canyon flows the chilly water of the Alcantara River, making it an ideal place for activities such as hiking, body rafting, canyoning, climbing and river trekking. Water activities at the Alcantara Gorges, carried out while wearing an appropriate thermal suit, allow visitors to explore the hidden beauty of this river that runs through the heart of the Alcantara River Park.

Visit the gorges independently or with an activity?

For those who wish to explore the Alcantara Gorges independently, you can start from the charming town of Castiglione di Sicilia and follow the road signs leading to the Gorges. Motta Camastra is also an excellent starting point for your visit.

On the other hand, if you prefer a more adventurous experience that is already well organized in detail, we recommend booking one of our activities, you will be guaranteed a safe place and the chance to fully discover the magic of the Alcantara Gorges.
Choosing Dream Island as a starting point for your vacation in Sicily means embracing an unforgettable adventure among the striking basaltic lava prisms of the Alcantara Gorges, a unique journey in the Alcantara River Park, where the beauty of nature blends with history and geology.