Cycling from Pozzallo: Four Loops between Coast and Hyblaean Hills
Cycling from Pozzallo: Four Loops between Coast and Hyblaean Hills
Cycling from Pozzallo: Four Loops between Coast and Hyblaean Hills: itinerary, stages and GPX tracks
In Pozzallo the sea is both the starting point and the place you return to at the end of the day. This single-base cycling tour offers four different rides to discover the Hyblaean towns, countryside and coastal villages, keeping the same accommodation throughout your stay.
One loop links Modica and Scicli before returning towards Sampieri and the sea. A second reaches Ispica and continues to the coast opposite Isola delle Correnti. The ride to Marina di Ragusa passes seaside villages between Cava d’Aliga and Donnalucata; the route to Ragusa Ibla climbs inland, offering the day with the most ascent.
Pale stone, dry-stone walls, carob trees and beaches accompany the rides. In Modica, stop to discover the chocolate-making tradition; in Scicli and Ragusa Ibla, the historic centres invite you to slow down and explore squares and architecture on foot. Seaside stops add a different rhythm to the coastal rides, with time to enjoy each place.
The loops, approximately 52–71 km long, can be ridden in any order, allowing one day for each. The surface is mostly asphalt, with short sections on other surfaces. The distances require cycling experience even on the coast; the Modica and Ragusa Ibla rides add more substantial climbs. An e-bike can help you enjoy the route: choose the bike and loop to suit your experience, with organisational support from Biking Sicily.
Why choose this tour?
- A single base in Pozzallo, with every ride starting and finishing in the same area.
- Four directions to explore: historic towns, Hyblaean countryside and the southern coast.
- Modica, Scicli and Ragusa Ibla, linked to the Late Baroque heritage of Val di Noto.
- Freedom to alternate inland days with coastal rides, choosing the order of the loops.
Visits and stops: allow time for monuments, tastings and beach stops within the day’s schedule, according to permitted access.
Perfect for anyone looking for an authentic outdoor adventure built on nature, cycling and local discovery.
Detailed Itinerary
Plan your adventure day by day with clear information on what to expect — distance, terrain and highlights for every stage.
1
Stage 1
Loop 1 | Modica, Scicli and return via Sampieri
51.8 km
Loop 1 | Modica, Scicli and return via Sampieri
Modica; Scicli; Sampieri; Marina di Modica area; inland countryside and dry-stone walls.
Leave the sea at Pozzallo and climb towards Modica through the roads and agricultural landscapes of the Hyblaean Hills. The historic centre offers a chance to stop among its architecture and chocolate shops before continuing to Scicli. Its squares and palaces invite a different kind of pause, including time on foot. The return changes setting: reach the Sampieri area and continue towards Marina di Modica, finding the coast again before Pozzallo. Climbs, towns and stretches near the sea give the day its variety.
2
Stage 2
Loop 2 | Ispica and the Isola delle Correnti coast
70.8 km
Loop 2 | Ispica and the Isola delle Correnti coast
Ispica; Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and Loggiato del Sinatra; coast opposite Isola delle Correnti; coastal wetlands and Punta Cirica area.
The route first reaches Ispica: an initial climb leads from the sea to the town, where the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and Loggiato del Sinatra offer a cultural stop. Continue south-east through farmland to the coast opposite Isola delle Correnti. The landscape opens onto beaches and open sea; the return follows other coastal and wetland-area roads, approaching Punta Cirica before reaching Pozzallo. This is the longest loop in the collection, so allow time for both the ride and your chosen stops.
3
Stage 3
Loop 3 | Marina di Ragusa and coastal villages
65.2 km
Loop 3 | Marina di Ragusa and coastal villages
Marina di Modica area; Sampieri; Cava d’Aliga; Donnalucata; Marina di Ragusa.
Head west along the roads connecting the villages of the Ragusa coast. The Marina di Modica area and Sampieri introduce a succession of beaches, seaside houses and countryside on the approach to Cava d’Aliga and Donnalucata. Marina di Ragusa is the furthest point, with its seafront offering a stop before the return. The ride back partly retraces the same roads, revealing the villages in different light on the way to Pozzallo. This loop has the least climbing, but is still over 65 km long.
4
Stage 4
Loop 4 | Ragusa Ibla and the Hyblaean countryside
62.4 km
Loop 4 | Ragusa Ibla and the Hyblaean countryside
Countryside between Pozzallo and the Modica area; Hyblaean valleys and hills; Ragusa Ibla; Giardino Ibleo area.
Climb inland from the coast through fields, dry-stone walls and the landscape of the Hyblaean Hills. The road continues towards Ragusa Ibla, reaching the eastern part of the historic centre near Giardino Ibleo. Take a break from the bike and walk through the village streets; the Cathedral of San Giorgio is an additional visit to fit into the day. The return leads back towards Pozzallo, gradually revealing the coastal landscape again. This is the most demanding ride for climbing: almost 900 m of ascent makes it suitable for cyclists with good fitness and confidence on the road.
Explore the Map & Elevation Profile
Cycling from Pozzallo: Four Loops between Coast and Hyblaean Hills
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Bike-friendly hotels & accommodation
Bike-friendly hotels along your route with safe storage and easy access to the tracks. Rest, recharge and set off again!
