- Turquoise seas, coral-lined grottoes and unspoilt sandy beaches
- Exotic Mediterranean flora: orange groves, dwarf palms and olive trees
- Medieval churches, ancient villages and pre-historic caves
- Visit the 2,500-year-old temple at Segesta
- Fantastic bird spotting opportunities
Walking the Highlights of Western Sicily Walk
Walking & Trekking
Activity Level
Easy & Moderate
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
Itinerary
Scopello Trapani London London
Arrive in Scopello
Arrive at your hotel in Scopello where we brief you on your walking week before dinner. You spend three nights here.
Zingaro Nature Reserve
Wind your way up through asphodel, wild fennel, dwarf palm, pomegranate and citrus trees to amazing viewpoints overlooking the stunning coastline of tiny sandy coves lapped by sapphire waters.
Monte Inici
There’s a short transfer (10 mins) this morning before you set off on a winding uphill path past dwarf palms, holm oak and eucalyptus on the flanks of Monte Inici – with luck you can spot buzzard, peregrine falcon or the Sicilian rock partridge which is a protected species here. The vistas open up over Scopello and the Zingaro reserve, before a final uphill push, rewarded with truly outstanding views onto the Gulf of Castellammare. Descend to the gorgeous and quintessentially Sicilian town of Castellammare with its Aragonese castle and maze of medieval streets.
Segesta, medieval Erice and Trapani
Transfer to the 2,500 year old temple of Segesta and the marvellously preserved theatre, then on to the hilltop town of Erice with its winding marble streets, old city gates, medieval churches, ancient squares and stunning Norman castle. Continue to Baroque Trapani and the 4* Room of Andrea.
Levanzo
It’s a 50 minute crossing to Levanzo where a coastal path, bright with lilac scabious, leads past deserted stone farm houses and olive trees to the Grotta del Genovese – admire the marvellously well preserved 11BC cave paintings and engravings lining the cavern walls. Back in Trapani, why not grab a granita at the Torre di Ligny at sundown to savour the location’s stunning sunsets!
Favignana
Take the hydrofoil (30 minutes) to the largest of the Egadi islands, Favignana, with its pretty bays framed by azure seas. From the cluster of whitewashed houses in Favignana town, head uphill to the panoramic 15th century Castello di Santa Caterina, from where there are superb 360 degrees vistas of Favignana and the other Egadi islands on a clear day. Return to the port via the Neogothic Palazzo Florio and the golden sands of Spiaggia Praia.
Monte Cofano
A scenic lift to the foot of Monte Cofano is followed by a gentle ascent through twisted olive trees with breathtaking views over the Bay of Bonagia. Descending, you reach an old tonnara (tuna factory) where nearby coves with sapphire waters are perfect for a dip. Then a cliff path fringed with red valerian and field gladioli leads into the village of Cornino for a late lunch before we meet you and take you back to your hotel.
Leave Trapani
If you have pre-booked a transfer through Headwater, you will be picked up by taxi for the drive back to Palermo airport in time for your flight home.
Essential Info
Joining Instructions
Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Scopello on the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Hotel check-in times are normally from around 4pm.
We can book your flights from London to Palermo, as well as your transfers from Palermo to Scopello and Trapani to Palermo; please contact us if you’d like us to organise this for you.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Scopello
Location end: Trapani
Passport
Passports: check if you need to renew
You may need to renew your British passport earlier if you’re travelling from 1 January 2021.
On the day you travel, you’ll need your passport to both:
- have at least 3 months left after the day you plan to leave the country (check the ‘expiry date’)
- be less than 10 years old (even if it has 6 months or more left – check the ‘date of issue’)
Certain European nationalities may be able to travel within Europe on their national identity card. Check carefully with the relevant authorities if you intend to do this.
Weather
Sicily has a good all year round climate, with plenty of sunshine and warm/hot temperatures. The summer departures ought to have daily hot sunshine and temperatures can reach 30 to 35 degrees Celcius. The earlier and later departures are likely to be cooler with a slightly higher chance of rain. In late summer there is the possibility of heavy thunderstorms, but these are usually short-lived.
Weather Charts
Hotels
Your hotels are each special in their own contrasting ways. In the sleepy village of Scopello, you stay at the 4* Baglio di Scopello, with its tempting outdoor swimming pool, perfect for a post walk dip, whilst in Trapani, your accommodation is the 4* Room of Andrea, located in the spectacular Palazzo Platamone, and boasting superb views from its roof top pool.
All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory supplement for a single room for the tour duration. For a solo traveller there is an additional charge to cover transfer costs. Please call for further details.
Reviews
Add your own reviewOctober 2023
I was very disappointed with our Exodus Trip. The Canadian webpage says that you will be staying in Hotel la Tavernetta, which is a 4-star hotel in Scopello. And that you will be in Daniela’s B&B in San Vito Lo Capo. We didn’t stay in either of these hotels. I didn’t find out that we were not staying in either of these hotels until I had paid in full. I emailed several times once I got my itinerary to ask why. I was told the website had just not been updated. Well, it is still not updated. I chose Exodus as I heard that they chose upgraded hotels and were a cut above other travel operators. Then right off the bat, the hotels were disappointing. I have travelled a fair bit – but mostly independently – so this was the first time using a tour operator. It is much more expensive to use a tour operator – and I truly do not see any value that was provided. It could have been so much better than it was.
Thoughts on Group Leader
n/a
Advice for Potential Travellers
Get as much information before you trip as possible. There is a need to plan out your day and truly understand the walk.
secrets of sicily: an amazing experience!
This was a wonderful break. You stay at a number of very beautiful places: Scapello, Marettimo and San Vito La Capo. The walking is enjoyable but not too challenging. There are many opportunities to enjoy the food and culture of this part of Sicily; for example the town of Erice and the ancient site of Segasta. We also had a chance to spend an evening in Trapani and i would really recommend this too. I hadnt done self-guided walking before but really enjoyed it.
We went in April and the weather was super. Not too hot so perfect for walking and little rain.
Most Inspirational Moment
The days on Marettimo were just awesome. Its a tiny place. a few hundred people, one bar and restaurant open (sure more open in the summer). The residence you stay in was lovely and the walks lead to amazing views. We particualr enjoyed walking along the coast to the Norman Castle, but it was also lovely going in the restaurant Il Veliero; the menu consisted of laocal pasta dishes and the catch of the day: so charming, friendly and delicious.
Thoughts on Group Leader
As it was self-guided we only met him once. He was very friendly and positive about Sicily. They were very helpful when bad weather was forecast for Marettimo. Rather than have us stuck on the island (as the boat may not have run) they organised for us to transfer to Trapani early and spend the evening there.
Advice for Potential Travellers
We ended our trip with a few days in palermo. This was fantastic and i really recommend it; a great way to round off the trip. Also try cous cous if its on the menu, eat lots of ice cream, visiting the tuna factory at Scapello is worth the walk, the B and B at San Vito La Capo is in quite a secluded spot which is lovely (the views from the garden at brekie are wondeful) but you may want to buy some supplies/snacks to take on your walks.
Would you like to include flights with your booking?
- ATOL protected
- Competitive flight prices
- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
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