Mt. Pellegrino (Monte Pellegrino)
Palermo, Italia, ITA
Named after pilgrims (“pilgrim mountain”), this sizeable hill in the northern reaches of Palermo is home to the acchianata (“the climb” in local dialect), a winding pilgrimage route up stone-paved switchbacks to the neo-Gothic Utveggio Castle and Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia, a church half-hewn into rock, dedicated to the city’s patron saint. Around the mountain lies a protected nature reserve.
With a surprising (for a semi-urban area) amount of maintained trails, Pellegrino invites hiking or biking, either on your own or with organized tour groups. Conquering the acchianata is no small feat, as it traverses about 5 miles (8 kilometers) up 11,000 steps with a climb of 1,500 feet (450 meters). For relaxed visits, you can picnic in the woods or drive to the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia and walk the remaining distance to the summit.
- Mt. Pellegrino is ideal for travelers looking for a dose of nature outside of Palermo.
- In his Italian travel journals, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe called Monte Pellegrino "the most beautiful promontory in the world."
- Bring plenty of water and sun protection, as Palermo is punishingly hot for much of the year.
- The viewpoint at the summit has unbeatable views over Mondello and Palermo.
Mt. Pellegrino lies on the north side of the Bay of Palermo, about 8 miles (14 kilometers) north of the city center. On public transportation, bus # 812 travels between Piazza Crispi in Palermo to the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia. You can reach the trailhead (officially called Via al Santuario di Monte Pellegrino) at Largo Antonio Sellerio in about 10 minutes from central Palermo by car.
Avoid the tourist crush and high heat during the summer and plan your visit for spring or fall—which can still be quite hot. If you find yourself in Palermo during the wild, sizzling summers, hike the mountain in the morning or the evening. In September, Palermo celebrates Santa Rosalia with devotional climbs up the mountain to the Sanctuary.
The hike up Mt. Pellegrino is considered challenging. From the trailhead at the crossing of Via Isaac Rabin and via Martin Luther King, you’ll climb cobblestone paths and switchbacks to the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia, where you can stop to see the relics, caves, and tombs. From there, the path continues between Palermo and the sea, descending into La Favorita Park. All things considered, it's about a 10.5-mile (17-kilometer) loop and should take 5–6 hours to complete.
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