Madonie, Sicily: Hike to the Quacella Ridge

When visiting the Madonie Park in Sicily, we had decided to do the Vallone Degli Angeli loop hike as it was considered one of the most popular walks in the region. A description in English can be read here. On the other hand, good topographic updated hiking maps are not available in Italy, signposts can be old and explanations unclear.

Start of hike SP119 road

Soon after leaving trailhead

Shortcut path from trailhead

The trailhead (“Punto informazione sentiero” on Google maps at 1240 m elev.) in the forest was by the SP119 road, and was easy enough to find when driving south from the northern coast. We were advised to use the road via Collesano (SP9) then SP54 to Portella Colla from where the SP119 descended to our starting point. There was a gate for official vehicles, and some information.

We were alone, but two forest fire fighters appeared, opened the gate for their 4X4 and drove to the park. They were the only humans we met during the hike! We took a shortcut, climbing southeast and merged with the longer dirt track. After a while, we reached a crossroads (1390 m elev.) where the right-hand trail dove down to Vallone Degli Angeli. However, the text in Italian on the signpost indicated that the trail was closed due to maintenance.

Polizzi Generosa viewed from trail

Madonna degli Angeli trail closed

Crossroads after forest hut

Trail forks to Quacella

We did not want to take any risks and decided to continue the ascent along the less interesting dirt track. Heading east, we passed a forest hut then came to a crossroads where we continued straight, and after a few bends saw the trail to Quacella painted on the rock (red arrow and a white/red marking). Markings were first well visible in red and white. After another crossroads we followed a narrower trail marked by some red spots. We temporarily lost the trail about mid-way to the escarpment. Etna, 90 km away in the east became visible. We ascended to the ridge (about 1800 m elev.) with super views. We did not climb to the summit (1869 m).

On trail to Quacella

Portella Colla seen from Quacella

Quacella southwest view

Madonna degli Angeli Valley

Nebrodi fir

We descended to the beforementioned junction on the dirt track. We then made another detour along a wide trail heading southwest. We tried to locate the rare Nebrodi Firs, and maybe we saw some specimens!

We returned using the same itinerary but took the longer dirt track loop before reaching the starting point.

Climb: 690 m

Distance: 12 km

Duration: 4h 30