The best MTB trails around Motta Sant'Anastasia

**The Lungomare dei Ciclopi: A Cycling Tour between Myth and Nature** If you have decided to extend your stay in the Etna area, an unmissable day trip is the one along the Lungomare dei Ciclopi. This route, which is part of the permanent cycling itinerary *Sicily Divide* from Trapani to Catania, is the last stop to take before concluding the trip. The beauty of the landscape and the charm of the legend will accompany you on a unique experience. The Lungomare dei Ciclopi, which extends from Acitrezza to Catania, takes its name from the famous mythological legend of Ulysses and the Cyclops Polyphemus. It is said that, during his return home, Ulysses landed on these shores where he met the giant Cyclops, monsters with a single eye in the center of their foreheads. After capturing Ulysses and his companions, Polyphemus was blinded thanks to the deception of the Greek hero, who managed to escape with his men. The rocks that emerge from the sea, known as the "Faraglioni", are considered by myths to be the homes of the Cyclops, who threw rocks into the sea to hinder the hero's escape. Cycling along the Lungomare dei Ciclopi is an experience that combines nature, history and legend. The route offers spectacular views of the crystalline sea and Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe. The coastal road allows you to admire the breathtaking landscape, with small seaside villages where you can stop for a break and enjoy typical dishes such as fresh fish and Sicilian granitas. This excursion is also an opportunity to discover the Cyclops natural park, a protected area that is home to a rich biodiversity. The coast, with its Mediterranean vegetation, is ideal for those who love nature and want to immerse themselves in an uncontaminated environment. If you have decided to stay several days in the area, the Lungomare dei Ciclopi is a perfect base for other cycling explorations. Continuing your journey, you will find yourself pedaling through a territory rich in history, traditions and landscapes that will remain etched in your memory. Completing the *Sicily Divide* along the Lungomare dei Ciclopi is much more than a sporting feat: it is a dive into mythology and nature, which will leave you with an indelible memory of Sicily.

Nice place to relax in the shadow of the castle!

A nice place to rest for a moment in the shade of the castle!

Very useful to avoid pedaling in the middle of city traffic!

The Riviera of the Cyclops is a 12 kilometer stretch of coastline between Aci Trezza and Aci Castello, north of Catania characterized by the Faraglioni

Remains of the excavated Roman amphitheater. Most of the amphitheater has been built over.

Landscape characterized by the presence of numerous bends, river islands, large temporary marshes, vast areas of woodland and reed thickets. Wetland, the presence of a dam has led to the formation of a reservoir which attracts numerous aquatic birds. Protected area In 2009, a decree issued by the regional agriculture department established that the Ponte Barca district site is an oasis of protection and refuge for wild fauna, the latter made up of 70 different species of migratory aquatic birds, and recognized as being of interest community The importance of the Paterno oasis is also due to the fact that it became a nesting place for the Sultan chicken, which returned to reproduce in the seventies, thanks to a project carried out in the Simeto oasis in collaboration with LIPU

Boat Bridge