The Way of St. James in Sicily: route, history and advice

The Camino de San Giacomo in Sicily is a spiritual and cultural itinerary that crosses the heart of the island, among rolling hills, ancient villages and testimonies of ancient faith. It retraces the ancient medieval roads traveled by pilgrims, symbolically reconnecting Sicily to the great Compostela tradition.

This path offers much more than a simple hiking experience: it is an inner journey, an immersion in the lesser-known and more authentic Sicily, where history, nature and spirituality intertwine. Along the way, ever-changing landscapes accompany the pilgrim through nature reserves, ancient railway tracks, sacred places and popular suggestions.

At every step you breathe a deep sense of contemplation and wonder, with the figure of Saint James the Greater acting as an ideal guide between Norman memories and local legends.

The history of the Camino

The Cammino di San Giacomo in Sicily is a relatively recent project, born in 2018 thanks to the initiative of the Association of Friends of the Cammino di San Giacomo in Sicily – Borgo San Giacomo . The idea emerged from the desire to rediscover and enhance the ancient presence of the Jacobean cult on the island, connecting the two main places of devotion dedicated to the saint: the church of San Giacomo in Caltagirone and the Norman sanctuary of Capizzi, the oldest in Sicily.

More than the creation of a new route, it was a work of historical and cultural mending : recovering the paths, tracks and places that for centuries had welcomed pilgrims, brotherhoods and knights heading towards Santiago de Compostela or returning from Jerusalem. The project was proposed from the beginning not only as a walking experience, but as a spiritual, identity and community journey , capable of bringing out an unpublished, internal and profound Sicily.

The stages

The Camino is made up of 6 stages for a total of about 130 km. It is not a technical route, but it has climbs, steep descents and dirt sections, making it suitable for medium-trained walkers. The segments can be shortened or extended based on your own pace, but the canonical stages are indicated below.

Stage 1: from Caltagirone to Mirabella Imbaccari via San Michele di Ganzaria (19.5 km, 450 D+, 5h)

We start from the Church of San Giacomo in Caltagirone, the first spiritual point of the Camino. After a short urban stretch, we take the State Road 124 , where it is necessary to pay attention to traffic, and then take quiet dirt roads along the old railway line.

The landscape opens onto cultivated fields , olive groves and rolling hills, in a silent rural context. After about 7 km you can turn off for San Michele di Ganzaria , where the Church of San Michele Arcangelo stands, the official stamping point for the credential. From here you continue towards Mirabella Imbaccari, through an undulating and solitary territory that introduces the interior dimension of the pilgrimage.

Stage 2: from Mirabella Imbaccari to Piazza Armerina (21 km, 520 D+, 6h)

Leaving the historic center of Mirabella, the Camino takes a dirt track that leads immediately out of town. It follows the Via Vecchia Ferrovia , a disused and flat path that offers shaded stretches and passages immersed in spontaneous vegetation. After a few kilometers, you face the ford of the Vallone Quattro Teste , a characteristic point where the water slows the pace and invites contemplation.

The final climb leads to the entrance of Piazza Armerina , a city known for the Villa Romana del Casale , but also an important reception centre for pilgrims thanks to the Domus Hospitalia , a place where you can find rest and sharing.

Stage 3: from Piazza Armerina to Valguarnera (20.5 km, 490 D+, 6h)

This stage leads the pilgrim into the heart of the Rossomanno-Grottascura-Bellia Nature Reserve , a large forest area populated by eucalyptus and pine trees . The paths become shadier and the silence of the forest envelops the journey.

Along the way you will encounter emblematic places:

• the Hermitage of Leano , a small spiritual refuge surrounded by greenery;
• the evocative Pupi Ballerini , stones sculpted by the wind that evoke ancient legends;
• the Iron Cross , where you are invited to leave a painted stone, a symbolic and personal gesture.

After leaving the woods, a descent leads to Valguarnera , a small village where the pace slows down and Sicilian hospitality makes itself felt.

Stage 4: from Valguarnera to Assoro (25 km, 600 D+, 7h)

This stage crosses the classic agricultural landscapes of the Enna hinterland: cereal fields, barren hills, orchards. The route begins with a stretch through open fields, then reaches the Piana di Dittaino , where industrial and rural areas intersect. After a passage through peach orchards and small cultivated plots, a long climb begins that runs alongside the old railway line, now disused.

As you approach Assoro, the horizon opens onto the imposing Monte La Stella , while the medieval village appears at altitude with its compact and panoramic historic center. The arrival in Assoro is rewarding, with its stone streets and ancient baroque architecture.

Stage 5: from Assoro to Nicosia via Nissoria (26 km, 700 D+, 8h)

The longest stage of the Camino, but also one of the most panoramic and varied . It starts downhill from Assoro along the route of the old railway, skirting large stone arches , an ancient drinking trough and an evocative rock wine press carved into the rock, evidence of winemaking activities in the past.

You cross valleys with terraces and dry stone walls , until you reach the small village of Nissoria . The descent towards the Salso River is steep and tiring, especially in summer, while the subsequent climb is among the most challenging of the entire Camino. The arrival in Nicosia is announced by splendid views of Etna and culminates at the Convent of the Capuchin Friars Minor , which welcomes pilgrims with simplicity and warmth.

Stage 6: From Nicosia to Capizzi (18.5 km, 750 D+, 6h)

The last stage of the Camino, and one of the most intense in terms of beauty and effort. It starts from the historic center of Nicosia , crossing medieval streets before climbing along the slopes of the Nebrodi Mountains , with wide views of valleys and wooded peaks. The route is varied: stretches on dirt roads, open ridges, steep climbs and short technical sections.

Along the way you will come across rural churches , dry stone walls and Norman remains that bear witness to the thousand-year history of these places. The highest point reaches 1,200 m above sea level , making this stage a true test of endurance. The arrival in Capizzi , a Jacobean village par excellence, is marked by the Mother Church dedicated to San Giacomo il Maggiore , which preserves precious relics of the saint and seals the conclusion of the pilgrimage.

Where it is and how to get there

The Camino winds through central-eastern Sicily , connecting Caltagirone (in the province of Catania) to Capizzi (in the province of Messina), also crossing the province of Enna. It extends over approximately 130 km divided into six main stages , with routes that alternate secondary roads, nature trails, old disused railways and mule tracks.

The starting point is Caltagirone , easily reachable by bus from the main Sicilian cities such as Catania , Enna and Gela . The nearest airport is Catania Fontanarossa , from which you can take shuttle buses or combined services to the historic center of the city.

The final arrival is in Capizzi , a small mountain village nestled in the Nebrodi. Although less well served than Caltagirone, it is still connected by bus to Nicosia and from there to Enna and Catania. The return requires a bit of planning, but can be managed with local public transport, or with a private shuttle service upon reservation, available through some accommodation facilities.

The best time to leave

The Camino de San Giacomo in Sicily can be walked all year round, but it is essential to take into account the weather conditions and any seasonal limitations.

In winter , some sections – particularly the Salso River valley floor in the fifth stage – may become impassable or prohibited for safety reasons. In these cases, we recommend the alternative on Provincial Road 85b , which is less picturesque but safe to travel.

In summer , the heat can be particularly intense, especially in the exposed stages without shade. It is therefore advisable to leave early in the morning, take advantage of the wooded areas for breaks and always carry an extra supply of water . The ideal seasons to tackle the Camino are spring and autumn , for the mild climate and the colours of the landscape.

Water sources along the route

Along the Way of St. James in Sicily there are several public fountains , natural springs and ancient stone drinking troughs that testify to the historical attention to the refreshment of wayfarers. However, their distribution is not homogeneous along all the stages, and on some days there may be a lack of refreshment points for even long stretches.

To safely tackle the route, it is highly recommended to set out every morning with at least 2 litres of water , to be supplemented if intense heat or a slower pace is expected. Stages 3 and 5, in particular, cross natural areas with few sources : in these cases it is a good idea to identify the available water points in advance thanks to the updated maps or the indications provided by the Association promoting the Camino.

In the summer months, constant hydration becomes an absolute priority, especially on the sunny stretches between Valguarnera, Assoro and Nissoria. Carrying a thermal flask , saline or supplements and a portable filter can be useful in emergency situations.

Drinking regularly, without waiting to be thirsty, is a good habit to maintain throughout the Camino. Water, like pace, must be measured wisely.

Myths and legends along the Camino

The Camino de San Giacomo in Sicily is not only a physical and spiritual itinerary, but also a journey into the intangible heritage of the island, made of stories, symbols and ancient memories. Numerous legends are intertwined with the history of the pilgrimage, enriching the route with hidden meanings and popular suggestions.

One of the most famous is the one related to the Great Count Ruggero, who on the night of July 25, 1090 dreamed of Saint James in armor, armed with a cross-shaped sword, who guided him towards victory against the Saracens in the reconquest of Caltagirone. This episode, full of symbolic value, is considered the basis of the Jacobean cult in the city and the birth of the sanctuary of departure of the Way.

In the heart of the Rossomanno-Grottascura-Bellia Reserve, pilgrims encounter the rocks known as Pupi Ballerini or Pietre Incantate : limestone formations shaped by the wind, similar to dancing figures. According to legend, they are men and women transformed into stone for having danced in a sacred place during the night of Carnival. This site is one of the most evocative of the entire journey, between landscape and myth.

Another place full of symbolism is the Iron Cross , where each pilgrim is invited to leave a colored stone as a sign of their passage. This simple gesture, full of meaning, represents the abandonment of an inner burden or the entrustment of a hope.

Finally, in Capizzi, a unique tradition survives: during the celebration of July 26, the simulacrum of San Giacomo is carried in procession and bumped against a wall as a sign of symbolic protest. The rite recalls an ancient popular claim linked to the theft of the relics of the saint, transferred to Messina centuries ago. It is a gesture of strength, faith and memory, which closes the Camino with a powerful and identifying message.