Half-day hike to the Madonie Giant Hollies

If you walk with your nose buried in your smartphone, staring at a map, you might manage to avoid getting lost, but let’s face it: it will likely be more boring than enjoyable, and you’ll miss out on the best parts of the experience.
Instead, relax and transform your excursion in the Madonie into a highlight of your holiday in Sicily. Admire nature’s hidden gems, listen to fascinating stories and take photos at the best spots… all with the help of our nature guides.
Keep in mind that most of the itineraries available online are created by private, non-professional users and are highly subjective. They don’t necessarily follow a proper trail and they reflect personal experiences, which can vary greatly for other hikers in terms of weather conditions, GPS accuracy, equipment, physical preparation, etc. Madonie Explorers’ guides are experts who know every stone along the trail, ensuring you enjoy the hike in the best possible conditions.

We will walk on both narrow, irregular rocky trails and wider tracks, so this hike requires sports shoes with good grip or, if you have them, hiking shoes.
If you don’t have suitable shoes (e.g.: if the soles of your old sneakers are flat and smooth), don’t worry: we can lend you hiking shoes for free. Just make sure to indicate your size on the booking form.

You will meet your guide at a bar in Castelbuono (Province of Palermo). The location is easy to find: it’s on the SS286 national road, so you won’t need to enter the historic town center. You will receive a Google map with directions in the booking confirmation email.

Yes! Our nature guides, Laetitia and Mario, speak English fluently and are experienced in guiding English-speaking guests.

Transport is generally not included in our services, but you may be able to ride in the guide’s car to reach the trailhead (please check with us before booking). A small additional fee may apply.

We constantly monitor the weather to ensure that guests can enjoy the hike under the right conditions. Of course, this doesn’t mean the excursion will only run with perfect sunshine, but in case of consistent rain, strong winds or heavy mist, Madonie Explorers will cancel the excursion. Participants can rebook for another date or request a refund.

This hike is great even in July and August, as you will walk in the coolest areas of the region, at higher altitudes and through shady woods. The average temperature will be around 10 degrees Celsius lower than on the coast.

This hike is not considered particularly difficult and is suitable for a wide range of people, including children from 8 years old (or younger, if they are accustomed to hiking). Of course, this applies to those who are generally fit and do not have specific health issues that might limit their mobility. If you’re unsure whether this hike is right for you, please contact us. You can also book a private tour and choose a shorter itinerary.

Yes, for this hike, you can book for a single person, and the excursion is guaranteed even if you’re the only participant.

You can book online through this website until 6 p.m. the day before the hike. We encourage you to book or contact us as soon as possible to ensure we are available during your visit.

We fully refund bookings cancelled at least 48 hours before the excursion. Cancellations made less than 48 hours in advance are non-refundable. This policy is necessary for planning purposes and also ensures fair working conditions for our guides, who are independent professionals.

We suggest staying in Castelbuono, Cefalù, or the nearby area the night before, so you don’t have to drive far to reach the meeting place. Feel free to contact us for any additional information regarding accommodation.