Alcantara Gorges

The Alcantara Gorge (Gole dell’Alcantara) lies near Motta Camastra and Francavilla di Sicilia in the province of Messina. Several thousand years ago a lava flow from Etna blocked the riverbed; the lava cooled quickly into basalt columns, and the river later cut a channel through them. In the best-known section the walls rise up to 25 m and in places close in to just a few metres. The water stays very cold even in August.

At the Motta Camastra entrance, a stairway of about 200 steps leads down to the river, and there is also a private entrance with a lift (as of October 2026). When the water is low, you can wade a few hundred metres into the gorge from the bank, usually ankle- to knee-deep; water shoes are advisable because the pebbles are slippery. Longer river treks are offered with a guide and equipment. Allow two to three hours. Small pebble beaches at the mouth of the gorge are good for wading or resting; you do not need to walk the whole gorge to appreciate it. Light reflected off the water creates striking effects on the walls.