Alcantara Gorges – Sicily: lava canyon, cold waters and stone geometries in the valley between Etna and Nebrodi. The Alcantara Gorges, also known as the Larderia Gorges, are located in the Alcantara Valley, on the border between the provinces of Messina and Catania. Here the Alcantara river has carved deep canyons over time between columnar basalt walls, giving life to an extraordinary geological landscape, between lava and water. 🌊 Lava Canyon and Freezing Waters: The gorges look like a narrow and deep rift, carved into the lava stone by millennia of erosion. The basalt walls, up to 30 meters high, show incredible natural geometric shapes: prisms, columns and fans. The water of the river is cold all year round and forms natural pools and waterfalls. 👉 Tip: Wear river hiking shoes or rent boots on site: you can walk in the river and go into the walls, even taking part in guided body rafting or river trekking tours. 🧭 Nature experiences and accessible routes: The park offers various routes: panoramic walkways, nature trails, viewpoints and elevator descents to the riverbed. Some sections are also accessible to families, while for the more sporty there are canyoning excursions and MTB routes among the terraces of the valley. 👉 Tip: The "gorge trail" route is one of the most evocative to see the canyon from above and take spectacular photos. 🍃 Botanical Park and agricultural territory: Around the gorges there is an environment rich in biodiversity: olive groves, citrus groves, almond trees and aromatic plants typical of the Mediterranean scrub. The Botanical and Geological Park of the Alcantara Gorges offers educational experiences, thematic visits and sensory paths dedicated to children. 👉 Tip: Visit the park in spring or early autumn, when the weather is milder and the vegetation is at its most beautiful. 🏡 Rural hospitality between Etna and Alcantara: In the Alcantara Valley you will find farmhouses among the vineyards, family-run B&Bs and resorts surrounded by greenery. The location is also strategic for exploring the nearby Castiglione Gorges, the Etna Park and the Etna villages such as Francavilla and Randazzo. 👉 Tip: Choose a property with a view of the river or Mount Etna to fully experience the contrast between the lava rock, the water and the greenery. The Alcantara Gorges sculpt the landscape and the imagination: a rare encounter between geology, water and light that surprises at every step.