Really worth the trip here! Amazing views and amazing water. Hopefully some helpful tips here: 1. You can park right outside the entrance but we didn’t have a car so got a taxi from Syracuse for €120 return. Originally quoted at €140. I think you could get it down more if you are brave! 2. We are 27 years old and fit, we walked down in 40 minutes. Back up was about 35 minutes but we did walk quite quick. If you have sore legs/Knees it will be pretty challenging to be honest and there is no other way to get there other than walk. There are steep and large steps in points and really uneven terrain. They suggest down is about 45 minutes and to allow around an hour up, different for all though 3. There is a cafe at the top right In front the entrance where we got sandwiches, water and crisps. They have beers, ice cream and soft drinks too. Opened at 10am the day we went. 4. You climb over a small gate to get onto the path as the path is officially ‘closed’ 5. We had water shoes for when walking on the rocks around the water. If you have sensitive feet or just want to slip less, definitely pick some up but if you don’t have any, also fine 6. Pack light, we only used towels, suncream, shoes, phones and had our lunch. You don’t need anything else really 7. Take at-least 1-2 litres of water per person 8. No phone signal there fyi 9. Wear any form of trainer or walking shoe. I had more ‘fashion’ trainers and that was enough. We didn’t have anything more technical as weren’t equipped so those were fine. 10. No toilets or anything down there, no shops etc 11. Read other reviews about frauds to do with hitting cars etc as may be useful if you are driving there Definitely add this to your to-go list!! It was honestly amazing and a wonderful change from normal city sightseeing. We arrived at 10aM and left to walk up around 2:30pm (was about 31 degrees which was roasting but walking up slowly will help).

Beautiful walk through the ravine. Super clear path, so easy to follow. Make sure you can climb the gate at the beginning, as it is locked! 4 euros for parking and a bar/restaurant at the top with toilets and a shower. Steep climb up, so take plenty of water. Lovely swim at the bottom, so take a towel and some swimmers.

We went on a Monday. Not many people. The path itself is tricky and narrow, with slippery rocks and quite challenging at times. It took us 1 hour and a half to go down but we took our time. Once you reach the waterfall and the area where you can swim, it is really beautiful and rewarding. There’s areas where you can cliff jump, sunbathe and just enjoy the moment. The way up is challenging - I think I ugly cried twice. If you love hiking and pleasant scenery this is a must for you! Bring water, sensible shoes and something to nibble on.

One of the best canyons I've been visiting since there are hundreds of pool you can swim at and if you walk along the river you find an empty one only for you. Paths are of course exhausting and rocky, so get some proper shoes for the hike. The middle part of the hike is close, though we took it anyway. It's quite narrow and the nature takes it back but is possible. Nature is just incredible and it's a tropical paradise within the heated sun. Parking is 5 Euro on someone private property, but you can also just park somewhere next to the streets.

If you can you must visit this place!!!!!!!!!! Only if you are fit enough. It took us 50 minutes to get down and 40 min to get back up. The trail is rocky. We did it in beach shoes and saw others in flip-flop. Off cours, hiking boots would be perfect, but who brings boots to summer vacation 😀 you can jump off clifs about 4-5metres. Water is nice and cool. There is plenty of room for everybody because only a few can handle such a trail. Views are stunning, 🤩 and I guarantee you will have an awesome swim in this oasis. Instagram TOP pictures are available, too 👌 😀 Grab some water, 2 ltr each. Sneakers 👟 and picture making devices. Oh yea, there is no service. Enjoy 😉

We went in october. The view at the top is amazing, but the pools are even better. The gate was still closed, but the office next to it was open and the lady provided us with a map. We climbed over the gate and started or hike downwards. Wear good walking shows! It is a difficult hike with a lot of rocks. It took us 40 minutes to go downwards and an hour to go back up with breaks (we are 27/25 years old and quite healthy). But the Pools downstairs are worth it. You can jump from the cliffs into the water and enjoy nature! The water is cold, but you need that coolness for the way back up. Bring enough water to drink for the way back up. You can park at "parking - riserva cavagrande del cassible". WATCH OUT, FRAUDS ARE STILL ACTIVE. When we drove back, just around the corner there was a car standing still and someone was standing outside. My boyfriend went with a big amount of space around it, but we heard a sound like we hit a rock. When I looked back I noticed that the man was signing that we hit his car (don't know how when the space between our cars was more than 1 meter), then I luckily remembered the other reviews, so we didn't stop. Thanks previous reviewers!

A beautiful place with a refreshing swim as a reward. Takes around 45 mins to hike down and around an hour to walk up. Trail can be a bit slippery at times but a good pair of walking shoes makes it manageable. Technically the place is closed as it is ill-maintained (broken railings, path is rocky), but you can jump the gate and hike down anyway. Parking available for free outside the entrance.

Crazy, incredibile, breathtaking and mind-blowing place. Truly one of a kind. My group went through the river to "hike" and I must say that I don't think I will ever try anything like this again.

Incredible place and quite easy hike (3/4 points out of 10). The path is pretty shadowed, but bring enough water, 2L per person. Swimming in the river is a must, don't skip this point. Real gem in this part of Sicily!

Amazing natural reserve with a canyon and lakes. It takes 1h to go down from the top of the canyon to the lakes. Park at the north parking, it's free and closer to the lakes. Highly recommended! 👌👍

Beautiful water hike! The decent was approximately 45 minutes, down steps and well marked path. The water was cold but that is expected at the end of the day in November :) The gate to enter the path was closed but you just need to hop over it and begin your decent. Very few other tourists.

Great experience! The way down and up is approximately 40min. Prette steep sometimes so please don't come with FlipFlops :) Beautiful waters down there which invite you to jump into them. Enjoy! Parking is free and entrance fee is currently none.

Amazing place to visit. It’s about a 20 min treck down and back up but definitely worth it! So pretty, great place to swim.

The descriptions (trail A, trail B, closed - not closed) were a bit confusing. So I will summarize the current situation: You can park for free directly in front of the entrance. The view is really beautiful and worth going there even if you do not hike. The trail has been officially closed since 2014 due to a fire which burned some railings. But there is a small office where the trail starts. They are explaining to you that you may use the trail at your own risk. You will also get a map. The trail is for free. You have to climb over a gate using the boxes which are positioned in front of the gate (sounds spooky but the gate is less than 1.5m high). There is only one trail and you use it to hike down and up again. The trail is beautiful and definitely worth going there. At the bottom you will see natural lakes where you can swim. It took us 1h 20m to hike down and up again. If you have issues with your knees or small children with you I do not recommend to do the tour (sometimes the steps are very high).

Love it sooooo much, we paid around 8 € ticket .. we stayed there for around 2 hours. The water was super cold so i couldn’t walk through it.

Beautiful! Needs at least half a day. Hike down from parking took about an hour, and it was the same back up! Trail is rocky, uneven, steep with big rough steps in places- a good workout! Entrance is climbing over the green gate opposite the bar. Plenty of space when you reach the bottom, lots of big and small clear blue pools, running water and waterfalls, perfect and safe for swimming and a stunning natural environment- nature delivers again. Take enough drink with you. Totally worth visiting. Parking at the top was €1 for the bike, there were clean toilets and a bar. Take the first road signposted with parking off the road coming from Avola Antica (the second turning to parking shown in google maps to the ‘official’ Riserva Naturale Cavagrande - against which this review is posted- was a rough unmade road and we met loose barking dogs on the way down so as on a mbike we turned around and came back to the first sign a km or so back in the road). See other review for parking location and actual route we took to which this review relates..

Must see in the area. Follow the 45 min descending walk toward the lakes and then get a well deserved refreshing bath in the lakes with stunning views. Extremely recommended sport shoes or trekking shoes, expecially to go down which might be tricky. The way up is doable, in approximately 1hr or so but you can enjoy a beer or an ice cream at the bar next to the parking as reward

A bit of a tough climb down to the pools and back, but it comes with spectacular views and a really refreshing swim. Make sure to bring good shoes.

Killer walk, but worth the swim in the crystal-clear water at the end. We Brought our 7 year old boy & 14 year old daughter, my 7 year old was struggling to get back up the hill but eventually made it. Such an amazing place to visit in Silicy, definitely a must do for those who are able to hike up the 95 floors to get back to the car park. It would be a great place to spend the night in a camper van in the olive tree carpark.

Beautiful reserve with natural water pools, the view is amazing. In the summer you can enter the pools, but its also recommended in spring when every thing is flowrish

After a hike (about 35min) you come to a beautiful natural reserve, with fresh water and unforgettable nature. Swimming is a must. I recommend good shoes, because of rocky trail. Worth a visit!

A beautiful place to visit, but some parts really smell!

Beautiful place. The path is difficult and dangerous, but the lakes are wonderful.

The water is freezing but super refreshing and beautiful. We went the non tourist way. It means a half hour walk!

It is hard way down and a harder one up but it was all worth it!! Beautiful place. Was also lucky to see the goats coming down to drink

Highly recommended place to visit. Bring along drinking water, proper shoes, an energy bar, and a swimming suit. You definitely won't need D/G shoes or a Prada bag. Water temperature around 6C ( end of April). You will go down 225m and back up the same. Enjoy

Excellent nature canyon with fresh cold water and beautiful lagoons. The hike from parking (we stayed on the main road) is about 15min to entry Station where you have to register and than about 25min steep downhill. The way up took us about 30mins. Good shoes recommended 😉

Great place to visit, crystal water which is like a reward after the hike down. Bring plenty of water and some walking/jogging shoes not a flip flops. Good idea is it take empty water bottle and fill it up with stream water and pour on your head and back when you are going back.

Established in 1990 in order to preserve the natural vegetation, and restore the Mediterranean forest vegetation as well as to defend and increase the Mediterranean fauna, Cavagrande del Cassibile Nature Reserve covers a vast area of ​​approximately 2,760 hectares, falling within the municipalities of Avola, Noto and Syracuse. . The protected area encompasses a stretch, about 10 km long, of the river course of Cassibile, one of the most important rivers of south-eastern Sicily, which, encasing itself strongly between the rocks of the Hyblean plateau, generates a Canyon, deep in some parts over 250 meters, with steep, densely vegetated walls. A little known place but certainly highly appreciated by those who love hiking and nature. The route is not suitable for everyone and you need to have good trekking shoes to reach the lakes. Follow me on IG @van_venuti

Absolutely stunning, breathtaking view! A must visit if you’re in this part of Sicily.

The Sea is superb, definitively worth the challenging hike (down AND up). But one shouldnt underestimate the hike, which takes "normal" people at least 35 min down and at least 45min up. Bring good shoes and more than 1 liter of water per person. ***CAUTION***: There are tricksters, which will try to involve you into some car accident scheme when you leave, in which they will stop in front of you parking the car on the side of the road. Just when you drive by they will throw something at your car, pretending you hit their car. Afterwards they will tell you should pay for the "broken" side mirror. Google it, unfortunately this seems to be a common method of tricksters in italy. Call the police, they probably leave by then.

Wonderful hiking area with awesome views!

What a beautiful hike. Just pay attention to the wet stones!

Beautiful vistas along the way down into the canyon. The water in the pools is a welcome cool down after the descent and prepares one for the long hike up the gorge. The cold beverages at the entrance are the reward.

Amazing place to visit. You stop at a restaurant on the top of the cliff, there are toilets and showers. The parking price is 3€ for the whole day. Beware that the trip to the river is a bit long it takes 45min - 60min to go down on a dusty rocky road which ends with rock stairs. You will find a wonderful natural pond. Reserve at least 3-4 hours for the place to experience it fully.

The trek is not for the faint of heart but beautiful once you make it!