Is rafting and body rafting your passion? Are you looking for unique experiences to enrich your trip? In this article we have listed all the places where you can practice rafting and body rafting in Sicily, the rivers and streams where you can practice water sports or simply go river trekking. The most famous place is certainly the Alcantara Gorges, where you can practice various river sports, including body rafting, but in fact the list is longer and there is certainly no shortage of opportunities.
What is rafting and where to do it in Sicily
Rafting is a water sport usually practiced in a river or stream. The name comes from the English word “raft,” which means to float. Rafting is practiced on special unsinkable and self-draining rafts, making it a river sport suitable for practically everyone. In Sicily, the only place where rafting can be practiced is at the Gole di Tiberio, inside the Madonie Park, one of the Unesco Geoparks of the island, together with the Rocca di Cerere.
Rafting in Sicily: the Gorges of Tiberius
LThe Gorges of Tiberius are a natural canyon carved by the Pollina River over the centuries. They extend for 400 meters and reach a height of up to 50 meters. An excursion to the Gorges of Tiberius usually involves crossing the canyon in a rubber raft and walking along the Pollina River. Depending on the season and the state of the river, the walk can be made either downstream to the small canyon or upstream, where there are also some small lakes. In both cases it is still possible to swim. In addition to the rich vegetation, the walk offers the opportunity to observe some animal species such as: diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey, river crabs, numerous species of dragonflies and the nesting area of bee-eaters. Along the way you will also come across the contemporary artwork created in 2005 by Robert Pruitt entitled “Nudist Area”.
For reservation: Madonie Outdoor
What is body rafting and where to do it in Sicily
Body rafting involves using your body as a raft to cross a stretch of river. Unlike other river sports, it does not involve the use of other aids, such as an inflatable raft in the case of rafting, or ropes and other equipment in the case of canyoning. This technique is often used in combination with others, such as river trekking in places where the waterway allows walking, and canyoning when it is necessary to abseil with a rope from the walls of a gorge. In Sicily you can practice body rafting both in the Alcantara Gorges and on the Anapo River inside the Pantalica Oriented Nature Reserve.
Body rafting in the Alcantara Gorges
The most famous place for body rafting in Sicily is definitely the Alcantara Gorges. It is a natural canyon located in the eastern part of Sicily, in the area of Motta Camastra and Castiglione di Sicilia. The canyons, carved over the centuries by the river Alcantara, extend over a distance of about 400 meters. The walls of the gorges reach 50 meters in some places, while the average temperature of the water is 10 degrees. The route begins with a climb of about 800 meters up the watercourse to the so-called Venus Pool. This stage allows you to fully appreciate the beauty of this place and its lava walls. From here the body rafting part of the trip begins with exciting descents in the water to return to the starting point.
Body rafting in the Pantalica Natural Reserve
Inside the Pantalica Natural Reserve is the Anapo River, one of the other places where you can go body rafting in Sicily. This protected area is located in the province of Syracuse and falls within the territories of Buscemi, Cassaro, Ferla, Palazzolo Acreide and Sortino. A visit to the reserve allows visitors to admire several places of interest, in particular Necropolis of Pantalica, which is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sicily. An old railroad and a Byzantine village are also present.
For reservation: Etna Emotion
