A hundred kilometers run through it, between roads, alleys and paths, Favignana is made up of two flat areas, divided by a large mountainous body. It is the most cycle-friendly island in the whole Mediterranean, pedaling, possibly even electric, is the best way to get around.
It is also possible to rent scooters and cars, the island is equipped with public transport and taxi-shuttle services. Its 33 kilometers of coastline can also be enjoyed from the sea, it is possible to rent a boat or take a tour of the island accompanied by one of the many fishermen.
FAVIGNANA ISLAND - ITINERARIES
ASCENT TO THE FORT OF SANTA CATERINA
From the Florio factory, take the asphalted road for about a kilometer that climbs towards the fort of Santa Caterina. After the last bend, when the paved road ends, a flight of paving stones begins – sometimes very steep – which leads to the fortification built by Roger the Norman. On the sides of the climb, you can admire the typical Mediterranean terraces, where, during the spring months, you can enjoy the interesting flora that has disappeared elsewhere: here, in the midst of euphorbie bushes and shrubs, borage, thyme, nettle. Going further with the gaze, you can see the port of Favignana and the entire urban agglomeration, on the other side of the sea, Levanzo, Trapani, Erice, and the Marsala coast. Arriving at the top, on the west side you can see large wild carob trees and centuries-old olive trees that characterize the western part of the mountain, from which you can see the island of Marettimo: this is an optimal point for observing the sunset. Visiting the interior of the castle is not recommended, as neglect have led to situations of danger of collapse.
easy pedestrian path, 1.1 km, 60 minutes, elevation gain 310 meters
ASCENT TO THE CROSS
From the Florio factory, take the asphalted road for about a kilometer that climbs towards the fort of Santa Caterina. After the last bend, when the paved road ends, continue straight along the dirt road. Arrived at the top of the pass that leads to the other side of the island, leave the dirt road for a path bristling and flanked by typical Mediterranean vegetation until you reach the highest point, where a steel cross about six meters high is installed. From there you can enjoy of a breathtaking view.
easy pedestrian and bike path, 1.4 km, 60 minutes, altitude difference 248 meters
FROM CALA FUMERE TO CALA TRAPANESE
From the Florio factory, take the road that surrounds it until you reach Cala “Fumere”. The path – at first a road then a path – becomes increasingly difficult and challenging and leads to a small white pebble beach called “Acqua Ruci”, through which you reach the first cave that can be visited, the “Pirale Cave”. After the tip of “Mussazzo”, at the top left is the cave of “Ficara”, which can be reached along the path just marked among the vegetation. Getting back on the road, after crossing the Mediterranean scrub made up of plants and shrubs, you reach the “Eastern Cave”, a site of archaeological interest due to the numerous human remains found inside, probably attributable to Homo Erectus. It is a large cave which is accessed from a narrow entrance. From here, in the distance, you begin to see “Cala Trapanese” and “Faraglione” point, but be careful because the path becomes very difficult, therefore recommended only for expert rock climbers.
pedestrian path for expert hikers, 3.2 km, 70 minutes, altitude difference 130 meters
FROM THE URBAN CENTER TO PUNTA SOTTILE
Leaving the urban center of Favignana, passing through Piazza Tre Croci, immediately after the football pitch, continue right towards the Faraglione. After a relative ascent, past the tunnel – which we highly recommend using the side passages designed for cyclists – you arrive at Case Canino, from where you can admire, on the left, the wonderful little island of “Preveto”. Pedaling for another ten minutes, you arrive at a crossroads: on the right you go to “Punta Faraglione”, on the left towards our destination, which will be reached after another 10 minutes on the road. This is a very suggestive place, especially if visited during the late afternoon hours to enjoy wonderful sunsets over Marettimo.
easy bike route, Km 6.8, minutes 50, altitude difference 35 meters
FROM SICCHITELLA TO PUNTA FARAGLIONE
From the lighthouse of Punta Sottile, the path starts which heads towards the Faraglione. Walking briskly and amidst wonderful sea views, you will arrive here after about an hour.
Along the flat path, you can stop for a swim and sunbathe among the flat rocks and the coral sand of “Cala Pozzo”. From here, you begin to see Levanzo and up on the right you can see the “Caves of the Uccerie” – the underground one, which contains the stalactite formations, is not easily accessible. Continuing along the path that has become rather bumpy, you reach “Cala Trapanese”, a beautiful place where it is recommended to stop for a swim.
easy pedestrian bike path, 4 km, 70 minutes, elevation gain 6 meters
FROM CALA ROTONDA TO CALA PIRRECA
You can reach Cala Rotonda from the third dirt road (the first has no outlet) on the left, after the tunnel of “Scindo Passo” – which we strongly recommend you to take using the side passages designed for cyclists – direction “Faraglione” or from the next first asphalted road. If you decide for the dirt road, you have to go straight on and you will turn left one hundred meters before the junction with the drinking trough, if instead you have opted for the asphalted road, always straight up to the junction with the drinking trough here you will turn left and then the first on the right to reach “Cala Rotonda”, this is an area rich in fragrant vegetation where you can admire unusual forms here, continue on foot.
Cala Rotonda is a splendid place characterized by a marvelous stone arch (Ulysses’ Arch) shaped by the wind and salt, with its outcropping rocks and the beach of large grain size mixed with pebbles and rocks. It is a splendid natural harbor. From here, going right, towards the “landing of Ulysses”, you reach the “Chiarito” location characterized by shallow waters with spectacular colors and cerulean shades. But our goal is on the left. Leaving behind the arch that rises above the sea, after about an hour you reach “Stornello” cove, a melting pot for true nature lovers where you can admire the steep, crown-shaped cliff. Continuing between the silence and the scent of the sea, you walk in the middle of a barren landscape marked by blue and the transparency of the seabed. In this stretch of coast, when the marine weather conditions allow it, it is possible to immerse yourself in solitude among dreamy seabeds. With adequate equipment, you can explore the enchanting seabeds near the rocks and islets (Galera, Galeotta, Scoglio Corrente) that emerge a few meters from the coast. Continuing further, you arrive at the beach of “Pirreca” where in front of it you can admire the island of “Preveto”, nesting land of the Royal gull.
easy pedestrian path, 3 km, 70 minutes, difference in height 8 meters
FROM CALA SAN NICOLA TO CALA ROSSA
Cala San Nicola is the most important archaeological area of the island of Favignana, here ancient evidence of early Christian burials of which some inscriptions are still visible inside the caves. At the beginning of the route it is possible to see the remains of an ancient watch / signal tower thanks to the probable use of oil torches. Leaving Cala San Nicola behind, you arrive in a natural inlet called the “Cortigliolo” and on the left a small cave with a horse-shaped rock formation inside from which the place takes its name. Continuing along the path, you will come across the entrance to a large cave for the extraction of the tuff where it is still possible to glimpse the ancient manual means for the extraction of the tuff. In this stretch of coast there are many stone “scari”, used as ramps to load the stone blocks on the vessels destined for the various Sicilian markets. continuing towards the large and very famous Cala Rotonda, occasionally admiring “Levanzo” on the horizon you will come across an ancient stone staircase that descends to the sea. It is advisable to be very careful as in some places the stone is very brittle and crumbling.
challenging pedestrian path, 1.6 km, 50 minutes, altitude difference 60 meters
FROM CALA ROSSA TO BUE MARINO
It is one of the most beautiful coastal resorts in the whole Mediterranean, “Cala Rossa”, characterized by purplish blue, deep blue and emerald green colors. The area is scattered with caves, going down towards the sea, a steep path leads to the Grotta del Pozzo, where it is possible to find a well of fresh water.
From the extreme tip of cala rossa, tip of “San Vituzzo” various paths start that intertwine in the system of quarries that form a real labyrinth built over the centuries by man, in fact representing a classic example of spontaneous-landscape architecture and affected by rock vegetation, from here you arrive in a large disused quarry in the locality of Fra Santo, the barefoot Augustinian friar who lived in this part of the island more than four hundred years ago. Continuing, among stones, capers, wild fennel and aromatic herbs, we arrive at “Bue Marino”.
challenging pedestrian path, 1.5 km, 50 minutes, height difference 7 meters
FROM BUE MARINO TO PUNTA MARSALA
The flat plain of tuff from where the caves of “Bue Marino” branch off is an excellent place to take a bath and admire the splendid seabed of the area. Going up the spectacular slide and immediately turning left, a very panoramic path starts from where you can admire the Marsala coast and the colorful seabed of the area. In the winter months when there is no disturbance from small pleasure boats it is not difficult to see schools of dolphins intent on swimming a few meters from the coast. Continuing on the sheer cliff, you arrive at the lighthouse of Punta Marsala, and from there a few steps away “Cala Azzurra”.
easy pedestrian path, 1.1 km, 45 minutes, elevation gain 30 meters
FROM THE URBAN CENTER TO CALA AZZURRA
Leaving the urban agglomeration of Favignana, passing through Piazza Tre Croci, immediately after the football pitch continue left to “Punta Lunga”, here, in the homonymous fishing village, you can admire the boats of the fishermen who, during the day, sell the freshly caught fish directly from their boats. Resuming the walk, the path runs along many delightful coves up to the “slide” where, when the weather conditions are right, the sea looks like a swimming pool. continuing you arrive at Lido Burrone, an equipped beach preferred by families with children. After passing “Grotta Perciata”, “Cala Trono” and “Punta Fanfalo” (a large holiday village unfortunately disused ex Valtur) you arrive at “Cala Azzurra” where the crystalline and blue water of the sea is of a marked crystalline color given the white sand of the seabed. Here, a particular type of clay is available which is often used to be sprinkled on the body to smooth and tone the skin.
easy bike route, 5.4 km, 45 minutes, altitude difference 30 meters
