Holiday apartment in Motta Camastra: gorges, trails and Sicilian traditions

Motta Camastra combines impressive gorges, mountain trails and a distinctive cultural character. The Sentiero Montagna Grande begins here and is classified as a challenging route. It leads to the highest peak of the Peloritani range, at 1,374 metres – an impressive perspective for anyone who wants to combine nature experiences with discovering a Sicilian town.

Alcantara Gorge and riverside trails

The Gole dell’Alcantara are located in Contrada Larderia-Sciara within the municipality of Motta Camastra. In Contrada Larderia, the gorge stretches for around 400 metres; it is only a few metres wide, while its walls rise up to 50 metres. The Gole border the SS 185, from which a long staircase descends to the exit of the Gole di Larderia. The Piccole Gole dell’Alcantara trail is flat and offers particularly impressive views along a section of river with a lava bed, pools and small waterfalls. The route includes Motta Camastra and Castiglione di Sicilia. If the conditions of the riverbed permit, you can walk upstream through the Alcantara’s cold waters into the basalt gorge and view various geological formations up close.

Mountain trails, views and religious landmarks

The “Il Calvario” trail begins at Piazza Croce and climbs up to the summit of Monte Calvario. Three wooden crosses mark the route and refer to the tenth Station of the Cross, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Piazza Roccamare offers a more tranquil view across the landscape: a picturesque viewpoint in Motta Camastra overlooking the Alcantara Valley and Mount Etna.

San Cataldo and the Grotta dei 100 Cavalli

The Grotta dei 100 Cavalli, a large volcanic eruption cave, is located in the San Cataldo area. You can reach it by walking along the banks of the Fiume Alcantara at San Cataldo, below the Ponte Al Quatar and near the municipal boundary with Graniti. From there, the path leads to the Torrente San Cataldo and up the mountain. The Borgo di San Cataldo is also home to the Ponte di 7 Archi, a bridge from the Fascist era. The village can be reached by car, public transport and on foot.

Churches and local history

The Parrocchia di San Michele Arcangelo dates back to the 17th century. It is also known as the Chiesa Madre and houses two marble statues from the 16th century: the Immacolata and the Madonna di Montalto. The Chiesa dell’Annunziata is a historic church in Motta Camastra with probable Norman origins.

Walnuts, palmenti and annual events

The Noce di Motta Camastra is Motta Camastra’s most important agricultural product and is cultivated in traditional facilities. By ministerial decree of 22 July 2004, it was included in the list of traditional agricultural and food products of the Sicily region; the decree was published on 18 August 2004 in GURI No. 144. At Easter, you can taste Cuddura cu’ l’ova in Motta Camastra, a traditional sweet pastry. The Festa della Noce takes place every year in October. During the grape harvest, tours of the palmenti are organised, meaning the areas with the wine-pressing facilities and the adjacent presses.

Choose a holiday apartment in Motta Camastra based on your travel interests

When planning your holiday apartment in Motta Camastra, you can use your preferred pace as a starting point: challenging high-altitude trails, flat riverside sections, geological landscapes, local history or seasonal specialities reveal different sides of the destination.

Further destinations

Brolo, San Saba, Tindari, Acquedolci, Rodi Milici, Tortorici, Vulcano Piano, Misserio

To the higher-level travel overview: Messina.