Magna Via Francigena Camino Sicily – Palermo to Agrigento – 8 days

DISTANCE - ABOVE AVERAGE

Distance training is a major consideration in your overall training program. As you progress, incorporate longer walks into your training plan. Schedule one or two long walks each week, gradually increasing the distance until you can comfortably cover 17-25 km in a single day. Additionally, also include back-to-back walks to simulate walking on consecutive days. This helps your body adapt to the demands of walking for multiple days in a row. Take every opportunity you can to walk. If you have a fitness watch or phone, you should try to reach >15,000 steps every day. Ensure you can comfortably walk the average distance per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

ELEVATION - ABOVE AVERAGE

Elevation training is a major consideration in your overall training program. You must include walks with serious hill climbs. If you do not have access to hills, it it essential to replicate the elevation level you will be undertaking in any way possible via a treadmill or stair climber. Prioritising resistance training assumes heightened significance in this context, emphasising the incorporation of stair climbing whenever feasible. Walking up and down stairs at work, at a local oval with a grandstand, or up and down small hills, boring as that sounds, is incredibly useful. Elevation is the chief walk killer, not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles. If high altitude is a factor, incorporate sessions at a higher altitude to acclimatise your body to reduced oxygen levels ( this may not be possible). Ensure you can comfortably walk the average elevation per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

TERRAIN - UNEVEN

Preparation for hiking on uneven terrain demands a nuanced blend of physical and mental readiness. Commence your regimen with balance-enhancing exercises, such as one-legged stands and stability ball workouts, laying a foundational groundwork for stability and coordination. Strengthening the lower body is pivotal, achieved through the incorporation of squats, lunges, and step-ups to enhance both stability and power. Gradually increase the complexity of the terrain on which you walk, moving from gravel paths to rocky trails. Cultivate mindfulness during your practice, directing focused attention to both your immediate surroundings and precise foot placement. The importance of suitable footwear cannot be overstated; prioritise options that offer robust support and reliable grip to navigate varying terrains with confidence. Build endurance through consistent hikes, progressively increasing distance and difficulty.

HOW TO GET THERE AND AWAY

Arriving in Palermo

Palermo Airport is accessible by major and low-cost carriers. Upon arrival you can travel by taxi or a bus to Palermo City Centre.

Heading off from Agrigento

For your departure, you can take a train from Agrigento to Palermo train station, then transfer to a bus that will take you to the airport.

LUGGAGE TRANSFERS

Luggage transfer is inclusive and arranged by the accommodation or a local taxi company.

Please be sure to mark all your belongings clearly with your name. Labeling your belongings prevents mix-ups, delays, and the risk of losing items. Ask the accommodation owner where you should leave your bags in the morning.

Bags should be ready and at the reception area or storage room by 9:00 AM.

If you are unable to walk, you can always ask if the luggage transporter can take you with him when transporting your baggage, but this is not always possible and sometimes you have to pay a small fee locally. In some countries there are special insurances for transporting peoples and sometimes the car is not suited for transporting persons.

When you travel by public transport, please always take your luggage with you.

A note on our self-guided adventures

Self-guided walking requires individuals to use problem-solving skills, be adaptable, and detail-oriented. You should be comfortable in following route notes, reading maps and have a good sense of direction (or be willing to develop this!). Route finding, getting lost, rediscovering your path, and approaching the locals for help are all part of the adventure. If you‘re new to self-guided trips, there is nothing to worry about, most of our first-time travellers adjust very quickly!

Like any other trip, self-guided travelling requires a certain level of tolerance for the unexpected; however, a well-planned and methodical approach helps avert potential problems.

The good thing about the self-guided trip is that once experienced, it is sought after over and over again.

AVAILABILITY

We offer this walk from March to July and September to November, as it can get quite cold in the depths of winter, and many accommodations close their doors as well at this time.

INSURANCE

We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.

You must have purchased travel insurance for all trips requiring international travel, including medical evacuation coverage.

We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred by our suppliers and in the office.  See the FAQ section for more information.

INFORMATION PACK

For more than 30 years, we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know you’ll have many more questions even with that in mind. You will receive a detailed information pack and itinerary approximately six weeks before departure outlining all the fine details and much more.

CONTACT

If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants, or if you have specific track-related questions if we can’t answer them, we can also ask our staff who have walked the track. You can contact us via our contact form, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.