Le Gorges of Alcantara are one of those magnificent scenarios that offers the Sicilia. It is a natural canyon that leaves you breathless for its fairytale and at the same time terrifying features, for its legends that have been narrated for centuries and for those frozen waters that cannot be resisted.
. We leave for a journey dedicated to the discovery of the territory, between myth and reality, between history and beliefs, where nature remains the absolute protagonist.
The Alcantara Gorges: narrow rocks or hospitable canyons?
They were once known by the name of Gorges of Larderia, around which mythical or frightening stories hovered, made even more real by the narrow rocky walls that characterize this great canyon. Today we prefer to call them Alcantara Gorges and enhance that suggestive side that makes them so unique: just a destination not to be missed! To visit them you have to go between Motta Camastra and Castiglione di Sicilia, the Sicilian hinterland, to then arrive in the presence of rocky walls of 50 meters! The homonymous river that crosses them, Alcantara, makes the landscape fascinating and welcomes thousands of visitors every year, especially in summer.
But it seems that only the most daring are able to immerse themselves in hers waters, famous for being freezing: we are talking about 8 degrees! However, this does not scare the crowd of onlookers, probably ready to verify for themselves that he really has magical powers. The myth tells that two deities were linked to this mystical place, the god Vulcan and the goddess Venus. The beautiful goddess loved to bathe in the Alcantara river and the god Vulcan soon fell in love with it, so much so that he gave her perpetually warm waters. But it was not enough to conquer the girl. Thus the wrath of Vulcan was unleashed against the same waters that from very hot became permanently icy.
Activities to do to challenge nature
For centuries the legends folk told disturbing stories about the Alcantara Gorges. Even a sea monster seems to have lived in its waters! But today these stories are an integral part of the past and we live with greater interest in the landscape and the activities it offers. It can be done river trekking or body rafting, also available in the baby version, to experience the adrenaline of lively waters. Obviously these are activities that do not include a simple costume, but the necessary precautions to protect yourself from the risks and the temperature of the water.
But those who simply want to enjoy a relaxing day can opt for a long stop in the beach of the Gorges. Someone says that the waters are warmer there to enjoy a few longer baths: will it really be like this? Seeing is believing! Those who do not feel like taking risks can choose to take a walk on the naturalistic path of the Alcantara Gorges. It is the ideal place to admire the landscape and take some memorable shots to take as a souvenir when you return home. The rugged rocks also allow you to do trekking, but beware: they are very slippery and better to leave it alone if you don't have the right experience or equipment. The territory is splendid: you just have to let yourself be enveloped by the power of nature that is released in the Alcantara Gorges.
