Ragusa Ibla is the perfect starting point for exploring the most authentic and lesser-known side of southeastern Sicily by bike.
From here begins the Iblei Loop, an 8-day circular cycling tour that leaves the well-trodden routes behind and ventures into the heart of the Hyblaean Mountains. Along the way, you'll discover stone-built villages perched on hilltops, deep river-carved gorges, and the spectacular rock-cut Necropolis of Pantalica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the Anapo Valley.
The route connects the late-Baroque jewels of the Val di Noto — Ragusa, Modica, Noto, and Caltagirone — with lesser-visited destinations such as Chiaramonte Gulfi, known as the “Balcony of Sicily”, and the charming hill towns of Buccheri and Vizzini, guardians of rural traditions and landscapes that remain largely undiscovered by international cyclists. This journey combines the elegance of intricately carved limestone façades with the tranquillity of the Hyblaean countryside, where dry-stone walls, ancient carob trees, and vineyards shape the scenery.
The tour starts and ends in Ragusa Ibla, a destination well worth lingering in for at least two nights. Besides offering the widest selection of accommodation and dining options along the route, this UNESCO-listed Baroque town deserves time to be explored at a relaxed pace, both before and after your cycling adventure.
From here begins the Iblei Loop, an 8-day circular cycling tour that leaves the well-trodden routes behind and ventures into the heart of the Hyblaean Mountains. Along the way, you'll discover stone-built villages perched on hilltops, deep river-carved gorges, and the spectacular rock-cut Necropolis of Pantalica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the Anapo Valley.
The route connects the late-Baroque jewels of the Val di Noto — Ragusa, Modica, Noto, and Caltagirone — with lesser-visited destinations such as Chiaramonte Gulfi, known as the “Balcony of Sicily”, and the charming hill towns of Buccheri and Vizzini, guardians of rural traditions and landscapes that remain largely undiscovered by international cyclists. This journey combines the elegance of intricately carved limestone façades with the tranquillity of the Hyblaean countryside, where dry-stone walls, ancient carob trees, and vineyards shape the scenery.
The tour starts and ends in Ragusa Ibla, a destination well worth lingering in for at least two nights. Besides offering the widest selection of accommodation and dining options along the route, this UNESCO-listed Baroque town deserves time to be explored at a relaxed pace, both before and after your cycling adventure.
- Individual arrival in Ragusa, one of the late-Baroque gems of the Val di Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy free time to explore the historic centre of Ragusa Ibla, home to the magnificent Cathedral of San Giorgio and elegant noble palaces overlooking its picturesque stepped lanes. Overnight stay in Ragusa.
- RAGUSA - MODICA 46 km / +520 m /-625 m. Bike fitting and briefing, with delivery of your bicycles and route notes. Leaving Ragusa behind, you cycle through the peaceful Hyblaean countryside, passing dry-stone walls, olive groves, and rolling farmland on your way to Modica. Spread across two historic districts, Modica Alta and Modica Bassa, the town is renowned worldwide for its unique cold-worked chocolate, a tradition dating back to Spanish rule. Be sure to visit the magnificent Cathedral of San Giorgio, one of the finest masterpieces of Sicilian late-Baroque architecture. Overnight stay in Modica.
- MODICA- NOTO 55 km / +520 m / -710 m. Today you set off towards Scicli, a lesser-known gem compared to nearby Ragusa and Modica, yet equally captivating, with its elegant Baroque historic centre and the splendid Palazzo Beneventano.The route then continues to Ispica, where you can admire the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Loggiato del Sinatra, both remarkable examples of Sicilian Baroque architecture. The day ends in Noto, the “Capital of Baroque”, set on a plateau surrounded by citrus groves and almond orchards. Here you can visit its iconic Cathedral and stroll along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, lined with churches and noble palaces.Overnight stay in Noto.
- NOTO - SORTINO 46 km / +990 m / - 695 m. This is the most challenging stage of the tour, leaving the coast behind as you climb back towards the Hyblaean plateau. Cycling through open countryside and woodland clearings, you reach Sortino, a small town renowned for its honey production and considered one of the gateways to the Anapo Valley. This stage is recommended for well-trained cyclists; for others, we strongly suggest opting for an e-bike. Overnight stay in Sortino.
- SORTINO - PALAZZOLO ACREIDE 46 km / +580 m / -340 m. The shortest and most scenic stage of the tour follows the Anapo Valley Cycle Path, tracing the course of the river between dramatic rocky cliffs and lush Mediterranean vegetation. On request, it is possible to arrange a hiking detour to the Pantalica Rock Necropolis, with over 5,000 tombs carved into the rock. Together with the surrounding valley, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. The route continues through the villages of Ferla and Cassaro before reaching Palazzolo Acreide, the ancient Greek Akrai, home to a well-preserved Hellenistic theatre and an elegant Baroque historic centre. Should any section of the cycle path be temporarily impassable, an alternative route on regular roads will be provided. Overnight stay in Palazzolo Acreide.
- PALAZZOLO ACREIDE - CALTAGIRONE 62 km / +840 m / -915 m. Today you cycle through the very heart of the Hyblaean Mountains, passing through Buccheri, one of the highest towns in the area, and Vizzini, a village closely linked to the literary settings of Pirandello and Verga’s “Cavalleria Rusticana”. The route continues across rolling inland landscapes until you reach Caltagirone, the renowned “City of Ceramics”, famous for its spectacular Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte, a monumental staircase decorated with colourful majolica tiles. Overnight stay in Caltagirone.
- CALTAGIRONE - RAGUSA 59 km / +900 m / -1125 m. The final stage of the tour crosses Chiaramonte Gulfi, known as the “Balcony of Sicily” for its sweeping views over the Ippari Valley, and celebrated for its high-quality extra virgin olive oil. From here, you descend back towards Ragusa, completing the loop at your starting point. Overnight stay in Ragusa.
- End of services and arrivederci Sicily!
THE IBLEI LOOP: FROM RAGUSA TO PANTALICA AND BACK
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Tour duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Tour type: self-guided Participants: minimum 2 Start: any day Difficulty level: moderate / challenging Accommodation: Economy or Mixed (Economy in Caltagirone and Sortino, and Deluxe in the other locations) Board basis: bed and breakfast |
BIKES AVAILABLE FOR THIS TOUR:
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Price per person in a double room
CATEGORY |
Low season |
Mid season |
High season |
A - B&B/ECONOMY 3*** |
€ 1.140 |
€ 1.210 |
€ 1.330 |
MIXED (B&B e DELUXE) |
€ 1.330 |
€ 1.415 |
€ 1.560 |
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SEASONS 2026
Low Season From January 7 to March 27 From April 7 to May 31 From September 21 to December 21 Mid Season From June 1 to July 13 From August 25 to September 20 High Season From March 28 to April 6 From July 14 to August 24 From December 22 to January 6 |
SEASONS 2027
Low Season From 7 January to 21 March From 5 April to 18 April From 3 May to 31 May From 21 September to 21 December Mid Season From 22 March to 4 April From 19 April to 2 May From 1 June to 12 July From 25 August to 20 September High Season From 13 July to 24 August From 22 December to 6 January |
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These prices do not include:
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