Alcantara Gorges

The Alcantara river is very popular for the special lava formations still present along the flow.
During the prehistoric and protohistoric era, its bed was affected by massive lava flows from the northern slopes of Mount Etna; then the flow reached the ancient river bed, changing its shape.
The slow flow of the river has created lava gorges in different spots, with steep vertical walls. The Larderia Gorges, better known as the Alcantara Gorges are magnificent and narrow and they feature basalt prisms, about 400 meters long, a few meters wide, with walls up to 50 meters high.
Over the time, many artists have tried to describe, imitate, copy the images of a unique natural scenery, that in 2010 won the European award for European Destination of Excellence (EDEN).
The Botanical and Geological Park of the Alcantara Gorges is well organized for an easy fruition:
– It has agreements with hotels and restaurants of the area;
– Online tickets are available on the website of the Park;
– It allows to organize and buy online any available itineraries and activities;
– Learning activities and laboratories for schools are available;
– Learning activities within the Park;