In the municipality of Motta Camastra, Metropolitan City of Messina about 70 km from the Strait, the story is told by the bed of the Alcantara, a river that flows in Eastern Sicily, rising from the Nebrodi Mountains and flowing into the Ionian Sea, after a stretch of about 53km.
Here, right in the Motta Camastra area, over the centuries the water has dug the lava rock from Etna, giving life to a true natural spectacle: the Alcantara Gorges in Motta Camastra.
The natural area of fluvial origin is made up of gorges up to 25-30 meters high, which in the narrowest points almost touch each other, just 2 meters apart.
Along the path carved by the river, you can find basins of crystalline water with sandy banks, which widen and narrow, following the riverbed.
The natural canyon is approximately 6 km long in total, 3 of which can be easily explored by visitors and tourists without any difficulty.
Of particular beauty are the natural shapes created by the solidified lava, which, reproducing the smallest structure of the material that composes them, appear as pentagonal and hexagonal prisms, to be admired along the rocky walls.
The art of nature
The spectacular rocky landscape that frames the river course of this stretch Alcantara it is all the work of nature: in these parts, near Etna, the lava rock has undergone numerous transformations over the millennia.
The walls of the gorges are made of lava stone, rich in mineral salts such as iron and magnesium, residues of ancient lava flows descending from the volcano. As the lava cooled, it gave rise to the particular shapes that characterize the rock walls today.
Scholars have been able to date the birth of the Gorges, tracing it back to around 8.000 years ago. The presence of water, which today makes the route of the Alcantara Gorge in Motta Camastra beautiful, helped to speed up the cooling process of the lava thousands of years ago and thus, water and fire, like two great artists of nature, have forged a true natural work of art.
A living show
Those who love nature can visit the Alcantara Gorges in Motta Camastra to discover all the secrets of life in all its forms: the transformations of the rock, the flow of crystal clear water along the river, the paths that take visitors to reach the heart of the Park; the earth is alive and it proves it not only with its rocky and river beauties, but also with the presence of numerous animals, which can be encountered with a little luck in the park: plants and animals, to get to know and discover, such as over 200 species of birds including owls, peregrine falcons and even golden eagles, as well as hares, weasels and many other animals.
What to do in the Alcantara Gorges
Everyone can visit the Alcantara Gorges in Motta Camastra: the 3 km stretch that can be traveled without difficulty invites tourists to take beautiful walks in nature; here birdwatchers will be able to take a stand to observe birds in their natural habitat, but also the more adventurous spirits will be able to experience the park in their own way. In fact, there are many ways to discover the Alcantara Gorges in Motta Camastra.
Walk alone or in a group, follow the paths of the indicated routes, relax in the greenery or do trekking and again, explore the river following the bicycle paths; the more adventurous will also be able to try their hand at Body Rafting, to reach the most impenetrable points of the canyon or try the Quad, to experience the thrill of exploring nature off-road.
Those looking for absolute relaxation in the greenery will be able to combine a walk in the park with a delicious tasting of local wines.
By consulting local guides, it will also be possible to book the most suitable tours for each traveler.
At the end of the visit, everyone will be able to taste the delicious local products, to refresh themselves after intense physical activity in the open air.
Recommended activities to do in the Alcantara Gorges
In the surroundings of the Alcantara Gorges
The Alcantara Gorges in Motta Camastra are in themselves a wonderful destination to reach and explore, but once you arrive on site, it will also be possible to dedicate a few days to visiting the closest areas, to admire the beauty of the local villages and discover the traditions of the island.
A small tour of the area will lead you to discover Motta Camastra, the very small municipality populated by less than a thousand people on whose territory the Gorges are located. Tourists can stay here, choosing the small town as a starting point to explore the whole area.
One of the closest towns, just 14 km away is Francavilla di Sicilia, where you can visit the Lauria Castle , Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Those who cannot give up the wonderful Sicilian sea can arrive on the Ionian coast and reach Taormina, where there are beautiful beaches and ancient monuments such as the Greek Theater.
© kallerna, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
