Monte Veneretta from Castelmora

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A round-trip hike. From the summit, the view of the ancient castles of Castelmora and Taormina is exceptional. You’ll be transported back to a medieval past when Arabs and Normans fought over Sicily.

Details

n°99506024
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.97 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,365 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,355 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,854 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,549 ft
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Photos

Mount Etna as seen from Punte Mole
Views of Castelmora and Taormina

Description of the walk

Park in the car park (pay-and-display) at the entrance to Castelmora, a village accessible via the SP10.

(S/E) Head north-west along Via Annunziata, passing a memorial site.

(1) First turn right then left to take a shortcut and rejoin Via Annunziata a little further up. Continue climbing along the road, which winds its way up through a few hairpin bends.

(2) Leave the road and take a shortcut to the right. Join it again a little further up and follow it as it continues, still climbing.

(3) Turn left onto a path interspersed with steps. Further up, rejoin Via Annunziata and follow it to the left.

(4) Continue left onto the Sentiero delle Ginestre (marked No. 6). Further up, cross the road and continue along the path. Cross the road again and continue along the path opposite.

(5) If you wish, take the first path on the right to make a quick ascent of Punte Mole.

(6) Head back down to the previous junction.

(5) Carry on straight ahead (north-west).

(7) At the next junction, turn right towards Monte Veneretta. After about a hundred metres, turn left and climb steeply. Just before the summit, veer right to reach it.

(8) The descent follows the same route in the opposite direction, back to the Castelmora car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,549 ft - Castelmora car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.17 - alt. 1,732 ft - Shortcut – Trail
  3. 2 : mi 0.32 - alt. 1,883 ft - Shortcut – Trail
  4. 3 : mi 0.54 - alt. 2,005 ft - Sentiero delle Ginestre
  5. 4 : mi 0.78 - alt. 2,251 ft - Junction
  6. 5 : mi 1.08 - alt. 2,569 ft - Access to Punte Mole
  7. 6 : mi 1.13 - alt. 2,605 ft - Punte Mole (802 m)
  8. 7 : mi 1.28 - alt. 2,585 ft - Crossroads
  9. 8 : mi 1.53 - alt. 2,854 ft - Monte Veneretta (884 m)
  10. S/E : mi 2.97 - alt. 1,549 ft - Castelmora car park

Notes

There are no water points along the route. It can get really hot.

Worth a visit

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