When Dominique Vivant Denon arrived in the Sicilian town of Caltavuturo in 1778, his first thought was
“big and sublime.” As he wrote, Caltavuturo is a place of “steep mountains, hanging rocks, glimpses of the sea, old castles as in fairy tales.”
Caltavuturno is perhaps the best spot for rock climbing in Sicily. It is one of only a handful of places in Sicily where it is possible to climb in the summer with mild temperature.
In Caltavuturo, if you love breathtaking Sicilian landscapes and climbing, you will adore the imposing cliffs that compose the landscape.
The cliffs were summited between 2005 and 2006 by Rosario Cammara with the help of 5 members of Association “Cabeci Climbing, ” and operation co-financed, although in a modest way, by public institutions: the city hall of Caltavuturo and the “Ente Parco delle Madonie”.
The orientation to North of the cliffs, the height of about 700 meters, the location, the surroundings, the quality of rock, allow for a different climbing that requires technique and physical strength in the fingers.
All of these elements make a unique experience also because it is one of few places in Sicily where it is possible to climb in the summer with mild temperature.
Caltavuturo is near the sea of Cefalù, full of trekking adventure paths and path by bike with dedicated services.
How to get to Caltavuturo?
For who is arriving from Catania, highway exit: Tremonzelli.
For who is arriving from Messina/Palermo, highway exit: Scillato.
Climbing takes a lot of physical effort to reach the top of the mountain, but at the end, the effort will disappear because of the wonderful view in front of you.
It is compulsory wear a helmet. It is forbidden to climb:
- When the weather conditions are not good;
- In presence of animals grazing in the slope up the cliff.
For more information, send a mail to tom.caltavuturo@gmail.com.
After the nice climbing, you might want to go to go to Sclafani Bagni, only 10kms distance from Caltavuturo.
Sclafani is a town on a rock, known for the thermal bath. There is a place where it is possible to take a bath in a warm water, while admiring the wonderful panorama with mountains.
Inside the small hot spring you will find the mud and use it to cover the body with. It has good benefits for your skin.