La Cicloturistica dell’Etna
First edition of a new non-competitive cycling tourism event as part of the Etna Marathon. The event is sponsored by the Municipalities of Milo and Sant’Alfio.
The Event
On Saturday, 26 September 2026, the first edition of the Cicloturistica dell’Etna gets underway — a non-competitive ride open to all cyclists, regardless of age, fitness level, or type of bicycle used.
La Cicloturistica dell’Etna was conceived as a satellite event of the historic Etna Marathon, the mountain bike race that the following day, Sunday 27 September, will celebrate its twentieth edition. The goal is to broaden the pool of participants by involving those who want to experience Etna on a bike without the pressure of competition, in a festive and convivial atmosphere.
The Route
The route covers 23 kilometres along the secondary roads of Etna, with a positive elevation gain of approximately 600 metres. The course has no technical difficulties whatsoever and has been designed to be accessible to every type of cyclist.
Through chestnut forests, lava flows, and breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea, participants will be able to discover unusual corners of the highest active volcano in Europe, far from the main roads and tourist traffic.
All types of bicycles are welcome: mountain bikes, trekking bikes, gravel bikes, and e-bikes. There are no rankings or time recordings.
| 23 km Lunghezza totale | ~600 m Dislivello positivo | Aperta a tutti Ogni tipo di bici |
Sponsorships and Territory
The event is sponsored by the Municipalities of Milo and Sant’Alfio, two villages that symbolise the eastern slopes of Etna, united by a long tradition of hospitality, nature, and culture.
Milo is renowned for its high-altitude vineyards and for the Nerello Mascalese, a native grape variety that expresses the characteristics of volcanic soil to the fullest. Sant’Alfio is home to the famous Chestnut of the Hundred Horses, recognised as the oldest tree with the largest circumference in Europe — a millennia-old symbol of an extraordinary land.
Refreshment stops
A good ride always calls for equally good refreshments! That is why there will be no shortage of stops along the route. Not mere rest points, but small Sicilian celebrations: Etna wines, traditional local sweets, and carefully selected local produce. Every stop — and every restart — is one more reason to pedal slowly. The refreshment stops are organised in collaboration with the Favazza Winery, the Municipality of Milo, and the Municipality of Sant’Alfio.
“We wanted to create an event that would make Etna accessible to all cyclists, not just competitive riders. The Cycling Tour is an invitation to discover this unique territory in a slow, authentic, and shared way.” Maurizio Scalia c.o. Etna Marathon 2026
Registration opens on 10 April at etnamarathon.it, at a cost of €20 per person, with the generous Etna Marathon race pack included. Places are limited to just 100 — we recommend not waiting.