Itinerary: historical
5 days
The Cammino dei Briganti is a historical and naturalistic itinerary of approximately 105 km that traverses the mountainous regions of inland Sicily, touching the provinces of Messina, Enna, and Palermo. The route passes through seven municipalities: San Mauro Castelverde, Gangi, Sperlinga, Nicosia, Capizzi, Troina, and Cesarò.
Inspired by post-unification brigandage and, in particular, the events of the so-called Maurina band, the trail offers an immersive experience amidst pristine landscapes, forest trails, historic villages, and symbolic sites of the armed rebellion that marked the island after Italian unification. The itinerary interprets brigandage not only as a criminal phenomenon, but as a social, anthropological, and political expression of the rural context of the time.
The trail winds through mountains, dirt roads, woods, abandoned farmhouses, ruins, and barracks, offering tangible and intangible evidence of the bandits: from their chosen hideouts to their repressed actions, all the way to the 1926 siege of Gangi by Prefect Cesare Mori. Each stop tells real stories through period articles, threatening letters, kidnappings, vendettas, murders, but also episodes of civil resistance and attempts at justice.
The trail is designed as a form of identity tourism, accessible on foot, horseback, mountain bike, and, with the right equipment, even to those with limited mobility. The experience allows you to rediscover an authentic Sicily, far from traditional tourist routes, where landscape and narrative intertwine, between the Nebrodi Park and the Madonie Park, offering natural views of extraordinary beauty.
The Cammino dei Briganti is more than just a trail: it is a journey into Sicily's historical and social memory, an invitation to revisit the past with fresh eyes and discover a land of conflict between state and society, legality and rebellion, silences and stories passed down through time.
Link:
https://www.camminodeibrigantisicilia.it/
The first stage, approximately 18.5 km (7 hours), starts from the historic center of San Mauro Castelverde and heads toward the pine forest of Colle Calandra, until reaching the watering hole in the Comuni district. Continuing, the trail descends toward the Malia district.
A short detour allows you to visit an ancient watering hole, a centuries-old manna ash tree over 400 years old, and the remains of a watermill. Continuing toward the sea, you come across the farming village of Botindari, surrounded by centuries-old olive trees. Near the Malia bridge, you'll find the oldest olive tree in the Madonie Mountains, 1,800 years old.
The trail continues through the Montededero, Rainò, Celso, and Pascovaglio districts, to reach the town of Gangi.
An itinerary immersed in the landscape and peasant memory, which immediately introduces the history of Sicilian banditry.
Second stage: from Gangi to Sperlinga, approximately 16.5km (4h), with a 370m climb. The route follows the SS120, passing a watering hole, up to the Soprano district, crossing a typical olive grove area. Finally, it climbs to the evocative castle perched on a rock, belonging to the small village of Sperlinga.
Those continuing to Nicosia tackle another 6km on asphalt and dirt roads, totaling approximately 22.5km (6h).
Third stage from Sperlinga to Capizzi, approximately 23 km (7 hours). To reach Nicosia, an intermediate stop, you can choose whether to take the SS 120 or an alternative road, between asphalt and dirt. From the town of Nicosia, continue to Capizzi, passing through Mistretta and descending to the Calogno stream.
Third stage: from Nicosia to Capizzi, the distance is approximately 16.5 km (~5 hours). The route begins in the town center of Nicosia and, via the SS 120, reaches Mistretta. Then, passing through the royal cattle track, reaching the Calogno stream and then climbing for about 5 km, you reach the town of Capizzi, in the heart of the Nebrodi.
Stage four: from Capizzi to the Sambuchello Barracks, approximately 25 km (7.5 hours). Continuing towards Caronia, you enter the heart of the Nebrodi Mountains, passing through dense forests of downy oaks, oaks, maples, and beech trees. You pass through rest areas such as Nocita and the Mafauda refuge, to reach the former Sambuchello rural guard barracks, where you'll spend the night (in the middle of the woods in a tent or using the facilities of the former barracks, which, once restoration work is complete, will be a hotel with several beds).
The landscape is wild and evocative.
Fifth stage: from Caserma Sambuchello to Cesarò, approximately 22km (6h 30m). We start from Caserma Sambuchello, pass historic springs (Fontana Bianca, Malpertusa, Canalotto, and Fau), and climb towards Monte Ambolà, over 1,500m. Descending, we arrive at Piano delle Case, site of the historic clash between the Candino gang and the Leanza family. We then continue to Cesarò.
The Cammino dei Briganti ends in Cesarò, stopping at the cemetery where there is an epitaph commemorating the defeat of the Maurina gang.
