# A week in the Madonie: a 7-day itinerary

> The Madonie in 7 days with 2 bases, Castelbuono and Petralia Sottana: 10 towns, Pizzo Carbonara, the Abies and the Gole di Tiberio. Stops, km, driving times.

- Page: https://www.lemadonie.it/en/itineraries/one-week/
- Updated: 2026-10-19
- Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Other languages: [Italiano](https://www.lemadonie.it/itinerari/settimana.md) · [Español](https://www.lemadonie.it/es/itinerarios/una-semana.md) · [Français](https://www.lemadonie.it/fr/itineraires/une-semaine.md) · [Deutsch](https://www.lemadonie.it/de/reiserouten/eine-woche.md)

### Arrival in Cefalù

From the airport or Palermo you reach Cefalù. Afternoon between the cathedral and the Rocca, evening on the seafront.

- Palermo: 72 km, about 1 h 05 on the A19 and A20.
- [Cefalù](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/cefalu/): Norman cathedral, old town, beach.
- [The Rocca di Cefalù and the Temple of Diana](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/trails/the-rocca-di-cefalu-and-the-temple-of-diana/): Climb to the Rocca and the Temple of Diana. Paid entry, best early in the morning or at sunset.

### Gratteri, Isnello and Castelbuono

You leave the sea and climb to the towns on the northern side. Gratteri for the view, Isnello for the astronomy park, Castelbuono for the night.

- [Gratteri](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/gratteri/): From Cefalù 17 km, about 25 min.
- [Isnello](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/isnello/): From Gratteri 14 km, about 20 min. GAL Hassin visits by booking.
- [Castelbuono](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/castelbuono/): From Isnello 13 km, about 15 min. First of 2 nights in Castelbuono.

### The Castelbuono woods, the Gole di Tiberio and Pollina

Morning in the woods above the town, afternoon along the Pollina river and up to the village of Pollina. Back to Castelbuono.

- [Bosco di Castelbuono: Piano Sempria and giant hollies](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/trails/bosco-di-castelbuono-giant-hollies/): Start at Piano Sempria, about 8 km and 20 min above Castelbuono.
- [Gole di Tiberio, the Tiberio gorge in Sicily](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/trails/gole-di-tiberio/): From Castelbuono 11 km, about 20 min. About 2 km one way.
- [Pollina](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/pollina/): From the gorge 18 km, about 40 min. Then 17 km back to Castelbuono.

### Geraci Siculo, Gangi and Petralia Sottana

Change of base: you cross the park on the SS286 and drop to the inland side. Two high towns and the evening in Petralia Sottana.

- [Geraci Siculo](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/geraci-siculo/): From Castelbuono 22 km, about 25 min. Ruins of the Ventimiglia castle.
- [Gangi](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/gangi/): From Geraci 14 km, about 15 min.
- [Petralia Sottana](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/petralia-sottana/): From Gangi 18 km, about 20 min. First of 3 nights in Petralia Sottana.

### Piano Battaglia and Pizzo Carbonara

Summit day. Drive up to Piano Battaglia early and walk the Pizzo Carbonara loop, the highest peak in the Madonie.

- Piano Battaglia: From Petralia Sottana 19 km on the SP54, about 30 min.
- [Pizzo Carbonara from Piano Battaglia](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/trails/pizzo-carbonara-from-piano-battaglia/): Loop of about 7 km in 2 h 30, grade E.
- [Rifugio Giuliano Marini](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/where-to-stay/rifugio-giuliano-marini-petralia-sottana/): Refuge with a restaurant on the plateau, near the start.

### The Abies nebrodensis and Polizzi Generosa

Morning at Portella Colla for the Vallone Madonna degli Angeli, where the Madonie fir grows. Afternoon in Polizzi Generosa and back to Petralia Sottana.

- [Vallone Madonna degli Angeli and the Abies nebrodensis](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/trails/vallone-madonna-degli-angeli-and-the-abies-nebrodensis/): Start at Portella Colla, 22 km from Petralia Sottana on the SP54, about 30 min.
- [Monte San Salvatore, the second peak of the Madonie](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/trails/monte-san-salvatore/): Alternatively, from the same Portella Colla, the climb to Monte San Salvatore.
- [Polizzi Generosa](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/polizzi-generosa/): From Petralia Sottana 16 km on the SS120 and SS643, about 20 min. The SP119 from Portella Colla is closed by a landslide.

### Petralia Soprana and departure

Last morning in the highest town in the park, then the motorway to Palermo or Catania.

- [Petralia Soprana](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/petralia-soprana/): From Petralia Sottana 3 km, 5 min.
- Heading home: Palermo 103 km, about 1 h 25. Catania 133 km, about 1 h 50.

In a week you can do the full tour of the Madonie with 2 bases: 3 nights on the sea side, between Cefalù and Castelbuono, and 3 on the inland side, in Petralia Sottana. You see 10 towns, climb Pizzo Carbonara at 1,979 metres, and walk to the *Abies nebrodensis* firs and along the Gole di Tiberio. By car it's about 450 km over 7 days, never more than an hour and a half a day between stops.

**At a glance**

- **Length**: 7 days, 6 nights.
- **Bases**: Cefalù 1 night, Castelbuono 2 nights, Petralia Sottana 3 nights.
- **Total distance**: about 450 km from Palermo, calculated on OpenStreetMap.
- **Towns**: Cefalù, Gratteri, Isnello, Castelbuono, Pollina, Geraci Siculo, Gangi, Petralia Sottana, Polizzi Generosa, Petralia Soprana.
- **Walks**: Rocca di Cefalù, Castelbuono woods, Gole di Tiberio, Pizzo Carbonara, Vallone Madonna degli Angeli.
- **Season**: May to October for all the walks.

## Who is this itinerary for?

For people with a week who want to get to know the whole of the Madonie Park (Parco delle Madonie), not just one corner. The park takes in 15 municipalities and 39,679 hectares between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the inland hills: a weekend shows you part of it, in 7 days you cross both sides.

The plan alternates walking days and town days. If you don't walk much, skip Pizzo Carbonara and the Abies and spend longer in the towns: the structure still holds.

You need a car. We haven't verified bus timetables between the towns, and we don't suggest this trip by public transport.

## When to go?

From May to October all the trails are passable and the roads are free of snow. May and June bring wild flowers and long days. September and October have clear air and, at the end of October, the beech woods in colour: timing is in our guide to the [beech woods in autumn](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/magazine/autumn-beech-woods-madonie/).

August is hot in the lower towns and on the coast, while it's pleasant up high. It's also festival month: Castelbuono hosts the [Ypsigrock Festival](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/events/ypsigrock-festival/) and Geraci Siculo the [Giostra dei Ventimiglia](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/events/giostra-dei-ventimiglia/). Book early.

Between November and April the trip changes: Pizzo Carbonara is only for people with snowshoes or crampons and experience, and you need chains or winter tyres. For those months there's [the Madonie in winter](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/itineraries/winter/).

## Getting there and away

The trip starts in Palermo and ends on the A19, so you can leave from Palermo or Catania. From Palermo airport, add about 35 km and 40 minutes to the first leg. Motorway exits and roads are explained on our [roads page](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/roads/).

The plan in short. We calculated distances and times on 19 October 2026 with OSRM on OpenStreetMap data, with no traffic or stops:

| Day | Route | km | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palermo → Cefalù | 72 | 1 h 05 |
| 2 | Cefalù → Gratteri → Isnello → Castelbuono | 44 | 1 h 05 |
| 3 | Piano Sempria, Gole di Tiberio, Pollina, back to Castelbuono | 63 | 2 h 10 |
| 4 | Castelbuono → Geraci Siculo → Gangi → Petralia Sottana | 54 | 1 h |
| 5 | Petralia Sottana → Piano Battaglia and back | 38 | 55 min |
| 6 | Petralia Sottana → Portella Colla → Petralia Sottana → Polizzi Generosa and back | 76 | 1 h 30 |
| 7 | Petralia Soprana → Palermo (or Catania) | 106 | 1 h 30 |

## Day by day

### Day 1: Cefalù

Cefalù is the gateway to the Madonie from the sea. Since 2015 its Norman cathedral has been part of the UNESCO site Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale. If you arrive early, climb the [Rocca di Cefalù](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/trails/the-rocca-di-cefalu-and-the-temple-of-diana/) to the Temple of Diana: entry is paid and the path is in full sun, so go in the morning or towards evening. The town page is [Cefalù](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/cefalu/).

### Day 2: Gratteri, Isnello and Castelbuono

[Gratteri](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/gratteri/) sits at 657 metres above Cefalù: the Balarm website calls it the terrace over the Tyrrhenian, because on clear days you can see the Aeolian Islands. In [Isnello](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/isnello/) there is GAL Hassin, the astronomy park: the standard visit lasts 2 hours 30 minutes, with planetarium and museum, and is booked on its website. In the evening you reach [Castelbuono](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/castelbuono/).

### Day 3: woods, gorge and Pollina

Early morning at Piano Sempria for the [Castelbuono woods loop](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/trails/bosco-di-castelbuono-giant-hollies/), through holm oaks, beeches and huge old holly trees. Then the [Gole di Tiberio](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/trails/gole-di-tiberio/), the canyon of the Pollina river: about 2 km one way, little climbing, the same path back. Finish in [Pollina](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/pollina/), with the Maurolico tower and the Pietrarosa theatre.

### Day 4: Geraci Siculo and Gangi

Before leaving Castelbuono, visit the Ventimiglia castle, home of the Museo Civico, with the Palatine Chapel decorated with Serpotta stucco. From April to October it opens 9.30 am-1 pm and 3-6.30 pm, from November to March 9.30 am-4.45 pm (museum hours, checked on 19 October 2026).

The SS286 crosses the park from north to south. In [Geraci Siculo](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/geraci-siculo/) walk up to the ruins of the Ventimiglia castle, above 1,000 metres. The family's story is in our article on the [Ventimiglia castles](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/magazine/ventimiglia-castles-geraci-to-castelbuono/).

[Gangi](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/gangi/) was named Borgo dei Borghi in 2014 and is not part of the park, although it sits on its edge. In the crypt of the Chiesa Madre lie the mummified bodies of the town's priests from 1725 to 1872. In the evening drive down to [Petralia Sottana](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/petralia-sottana/), home of the Madonie Park authority.

### Day 5: Pizzo Carbonara

From Petralia Sottana the SP54 climbs to Piano Battaglia in half an hour. The [Pizzo Carbonara loop](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/trails/pizzo-carbonara-from-piano-battaglia/) is about 7 km in 2 hours 30 minutes, grade E, with no water along the way. Start early and check the [Piano Battaglia forecast](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/weather/piano-battaglia/) first. In fog, turn back: on the plateau your landmarks disappear.

If you have the legs and the will, walk down: the [Sentiero Italia from Piano Battaglia to Petralia Sottana](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/trails/sentiero-italia-cai-from-piano-battaglia-to-petralia-sottana/) is about 14 km in 4 hours 30 minutes. It's a one-way route, so you need a second car or a lift.

### Day 6: the Abies and Polizzi Generosa

From Petralia Sottana drive back up the SP54 to Portella Colla, the pass between Piano Battaglia and Piano Zucchi. This is the start of the [Vallone Madonna degli Angeli](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/trails/vallone-madonna-degli-angeli-and-the-abies-nebrodensis/) trail: here the last *Abies nebrodensis* survive, fewer than thirty trees counted between 1,400 and 1,650 metres. From the same start there's the climb to [Monte San Salvatore](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/trails/monte-san-salvatore/).

In the afternoon go to [Polizzi Generosa](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/polizzi-generosa/), where the Chiesa Madre holds a fifteenth-century Flemish triptych that the town attributes to Rogier van der Weyden. From Portella Colla to Polizzi the shortest road would be the SP119, but after the February 2026 landslide it is closed and in June work hadn't started: you go back via Petralia Sottana.

### Day 7: Petralia Soprana

[Petralia Soprana](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/petralia-soprana/), at 1,147 metres, is the highest town in the park and was named Borgo dei Borghi in 2018. You explore it on foot between the viewpoints. From here the motorway is close: 103 km to Palermo, 133 to Catania.

## Where to stay and eat

We chose the bases for their position, not for any particular hotel:

- **Cefalù, 1 night**: you arrive on the first evening without mountain driving. Places to stay in [where to stay in Cefalù](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/cefalu/where-to-stay/).
- **Castelbuono, 2 nights**: 20 minutes from the woods, the gorge and Isnello. See [where to stay in Castelbuono](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/castelbuono/where-to-stay/) and [where to eat in Castelbuono](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/castelbuono/where-to-eat/).
- **Petralia Sottana, 3 nights**: half an hour from Piano Battaglia and 20 minutes from Polizzi and Gangi. See [where to stay in Petralia Sottana](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/petralia-sottana/where-to-stay/) and [where to eat in Petralia Sottana](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/petralia-sottana/where-to-eat/).

If you'd like one night up high, the [Rifugio Giuliano Marini](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/where-to-stay/rifugio-giuliano-marini-petralia-sottana/) is on the Piano Battaglia plateau: 18 rooms and 68 beds, according to the operator.

## If the weather changes

Some days are interchangeable. If day 5 is bad, swap it with day 7 and do the towns. If it rains on day 3, skip the gorge: after heavy rain access is dangerous. Go to Isnello for GAL Hassin instead, if you didn't the day before.

With a weather warning, check the regional Civil Protection bulletin and our [roads page](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/roads/): landslides and closures do happen on mountain roads.

## Practical tips

- Book your bases ahead from June to September and on October weekends with food festivals.
- For the walks you need hiking shoes, 2 litres of water each and a jacket. Read our [mountain safety guide](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/magazine/cai-scale-trail-difficulty/).
- Phone signal isn't always good in the towns and on the trails: download maps and tracks beforehand.
- For emergencies call 112.

## Frequently asked questions

### How many days do you need to visit the Madonie?

With 7 days you see both sides of the park: the coast with Cefalù and Castelbuono, the inland side with the Petralias, Gangi and Polizzi, plus 4 or 5 walks. With 2 days pick one side; with 1 day do a driving loop from Palermo or Cefalù.

### Where is the best place to stay for a week in the Madonie?

Changing base once saves hours of driving. That's why this plan uses Castelbuono for the sea side and Petralia Sottana for the inland side: from each, the main stops are within half an hour by car.

### Can you do the trip by public transport?

We don't recommend it: we haven't verified bus timetables between the towns and connections between the two sides are few. For this itinerary you need a car, ideally a small one, for the narrow streets of the old towns.

## Sources

- [Wikipedia, Parco delle Madonie (municipalities, area, heights, Abies nebrodensis)](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parco_delle_Madonie)
- [Wikipedia, Palermo arabo-normanna e le cattedrali di Cefalù e Monreale](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palermo_arabo-normanna_e_le_cattedrali_di_Cefal%C3%B9_e_Monreale)
- [Wikipedia, Gangi (Borgo dei Borghi 2014, crypt of the Chiesa Madre)](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangi)
- [Wikipedia, Pollina](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollina)
- [Balarm, Gratteri "terrace over the Tyrrhenian"](https://www.balarm.it/news/la-terrazza-sul-tirreno-e-magica-pure-di-notte-il-tour-da-sogno-vicino-a-palermo-157802)
- [GAL Hassin, visits for the public](https://www.galhassin.it/divulgazione-per-il-pubblico/)
- [Museo Civico di Castelbuono, hours](https://www.museocivico.eu/contatti_/)
- [Museo Civico di Castelbuono, Palatine Chapel](https://www.museocivico.eu/cappella-palatina/)
- [Visit Polizzi Generosa (town council), Chiesa Madre](https://visitpolizzigenerosa.it/it/attrazioni/chiesa-di-maria-santissima-assunta-o-chiesa-madre/)
- [LiveUnict, Petralia Soprana Borgo dei Borghi 2018](https://catania.liveuniversity.it/2018/11/26/borgo-dei-borghi-2018-paese-siciliano-petralia-soprana/)
- [La Sicilia, SP119 landslide (6 February 2026)](https://www.lasicilia.it/news/cronaca/3016868/nuova-frana-sulle-madonie-interrotta-una-provinciale-polizzi-generosa-isolata-e-accesso-a-piano-battaglia-a-rischio.html)
- [Madonie Press (22 June 2026)](https://www.madoniepress.it/2026/06/22/la-frana-sulla-provinciale-119-i-cittadini-formano-un-comitato-e-scrivono-a-schifani-unarteria-fondamentale/)
- [Alte Madonie, Rifugio Marini](https://www.altemadonie.com/rifugio-marini/)
- [Distances and times: OSRM on OpenStreetMap data, calculated on 19 October 2026](https://project-osrm.org/)
- [Ente Parco delle Madonie, PIAO 2026 (Park area: 39,679 hectares)](https://www.parcodellemadonie.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PIAO-2026-definitivo-00000003.pdf)

---

Markdown version of the page https://www.lemadonie.it/en/itineraries/one-week/, from Le Madonie (lemadonie.it), an independent guide to the Madonie. Facts with source and date of check.