Snowshoeing in the Madonie: routes and guided walks

Where can you go snowshoeing?

The easiest starting point is Piano Battaglia. The Metropolitan City of Palermo lists the plateau among the areas for snowshoeing, next to those for sledging and away from the runs.

For a first time this is enough: a loop on the plateau and in the beech wood at the foot of Monte Mufara, without straying from other people’s tracks.

The climb to Pizzo Carbonara

It is the most beautiful winter outing in the Madonie, and also the one that demands the most respect.

The route recommended by people who do it in winter starts on the path that crosses the Battaglietta plateau, east of Piano Battaglia. After about half an hour and a few bends it turns north up the side of Pizzo Antenna Grande. Then you reach the Valle della Conserva and follow the long ridge to the summit.

Above the wood the ground is open. In fog the sinkholes and ridges all look alike: save the track on your phone before you leave and turn back if visibility drops. Indicative distance and time are in the trail page below.

With a guide

If you don’t know the area, go with someone who does. Madonie a Passo Lento (Giovanni Nicolosi, AIGAE environmental hiking guide) organises snowshoe walks at Piano Battaglia by day and by night, with head torches, when there is snow on the peaks.

In past years the Rifugio Grifone, on the road to the plateau, has also been a base for group outings.

What to bring

• snowshoes and poles, waterproof boots, gaiters;
• warm layers, spare gloves, a hot drink;
• a charged phone and a downloaded track.

Where there is avalanche risk the law also requires an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, for snowshoers as well as ski tourers. You will find the danger level in the Meteomont bulletin, which in winter also covers the Madonie.