Pedara: Lava Stone, Volcanic Trails and Sicilian Festivals

Pedara can be discovered through its landscape, specific hiking destinations and local festivals. Festivals take place in Pedara; cultural attractions and beaches are located in the surrounding area.

Lava Stone and Trails at the Rifugio Salto del Cane

The Rifugio Salto del Cane is a traditional rural building made of lava stone with three rooms. Its surrounding area forms Punto Base No. 21 for hiking in Parco dell’Etna. The rifugio is available by reservation through UST CT.

The 766-766A circular trail reaches the “Bottoniera” of Salto del Cane. Three volcanic-material discharge points from Roman times are arranged there in a line. Near the rifugio, the lava slabs from 1634/38 also extend to the edge of the chestnut forest. They lie along a track originally marked by shepherds. Several layers of time and landscape therefore appear directly alongside one another: Roman volcanic traces, more recent lava flows and an old trail marker.

Experience Pedara on Foot and by Bicycle

Other trails also give the area around Pedara its own structure. The first stage of the Sentiero delle Ginestre reaches Tarderia, a rural hamlet of Pedara. A cycle and pedestrian path was also inaugurated in Parco D’Arrigo in Pedara. The two options differ in their destination: the Sentiero delle Ginestre leads to a rural district, while the cycle and pedestrian path is located in Parco D’Arrigo. The specific destination is therefore the main factor when choosing a route: the circular trail leads to the Bottoniera, the first stage to Tarderia, and the cycle and pedestrian path is in Parco D’Arrigo.

Festivals between Granita, Agriculture and Faith

Pedara’s event calendar covers a variety of local themes. The Festa della Granita Artigianale Siciliana was held in 2024 as its sixth edition; the Festa della Granita 2024 took place in Piazza Don Bosco and Parco Comunale “Angelo D’Arrigo”. For 2026, the municipal Festa del Contadino scheduled the sale of typical Sicilian products from the region at the “Acqua del Parrino” location on every Sunday from 12 July to 30 August.

The annual Festa dell’Annunziata is associated in Pedara with the Marian devotion of the local community and the Santuario di Maria SS. Annunziata. As a celebration in late summer, it complements the culinary and agricultural event themes with a religious connection in Pedara.

Culture and Excursion Destinations in the Surrounding Area

Several clearly distinct destinations are located around Pedara: Villa Manganelli is a museum, Palazzo Musmeci is a palace, Castello Normanno is a castle and Minoriti Palace is also a palace. The landscape is represented by the Grotta dei Tre Livelli as a cave and the Crateri Silvestri as craters. Spiaggia di Capomulini and Spiaggia Praiola are also among the beaches in the area around Pedara.

Further destinations:Passopisciaro, Castiglione Di Sicilia, Montargano, Zafferana Etnea, Riposto, Santa Tecla, Randazzo, Piedimonte Etneo

For the broader travel overview: Catania.