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Experience - Italy

Alcantara Gorge & Randazzo

The rapids of the river still shape the lava rock today.

The name of the Alcantara Gorge comes from the Arabic Al Quantarah.

Did you know that the gorge was formed after an eruption of Mount Etna?

Let the tranquil nature take its effect on you.

Do you recognize the different colors of the lava rock?

Thanks to the lava rock, the water is very clear.

The landscape is particularly striking under the light of the setting sun..

Randazzo is a pretty Italian mountain town.

The church tower of Randazzo is the center of the village.

Highlights

Hike through the magical Alcantara Gorge
Experience an impressive natural spectacle live
Including tour guide

Description

The Alcantara Gorge near Taormina was formed thousands of years ago after an eruption of Mount Etna. A water stream following the lava flow has been eating into the rock ever since, causing the black basalt walls to take on wonderful shapes. Walk through the gorge and discover this impressive natural spectacle.

Destination

Europe

Italy
Sicily

Alcantara Gorge & Randazzo

The Gole dell'Alcantara, better known as the Alcantara Gorge, is a unique landscape with gorges up to twenty meters deep and about five meters wide. On this full-day excursion, discover the barren rocks that were formed after the volcanic eruption of Mount Etna in 2,4000 BC, when hot lava made its way to the sea over a number of years.

Descend into the gorge with your tour guide and marvel at the numerous pentagonal and hexagonal columns formed by the slowly cooling lava flow. If you look a little closer, you will see that the stone is smooth and polished in some places and rough and angular in others due to the movement of the flows. Like organ pipes, the basalt columns stand against the walls of the canyon - a treat for photography enthusiasts.

The contrast between the clear water and the black basalt walls makes for a rare sight - take in this unique landscape as you wade a bit through the icy cold water.

Following the hike, make a stop in the mountain town of Randazzo. Several centuries ago, being the center of the three large provinces of Catania, Messina, and Enna, it was an important town. To this day, there are relics of the past that you can visit, such as the four preserved city gates: Porta Aragonese, Porta di S. Marino, Porta di S. Giuseppe, and the Porta Pugliese. Immerse yourself in a time long gone before returning to your hotel.