Riserva Naturale Cavagrande del Cassibile

Definitely a bit of an interesting drive in with some very rough roads that are filled with potholes and very narrow.

The 1km long track to get into the walk is one I would not attempt unless you’re confident with your abilities. Maybe park up at the entrance and walk in to be honest.

After arriving we received a very helpful map of the national park with instructions to get to the pools. The walk down is steep in places but quite manageable if you’re in suitable footwear.

As you can see from the photos it is absolutely amazing and should be a priority if you are staying around the Ragusa/Syracuse area.

The walk back up can be a bit tough in the heat but it wasn’t as bad as expected with a couple water stops along the way. Very happy with the day trip though I must say.

Incredible place. Caution: you should have good tracking shoes! as the pathway is rocky and humpy

Amazing scenery with great swimming at the bottom. Hiking up is actually quicker than hiking down as loose rocks on path down make you walk a bit slower and more carefully.

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.

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!

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!

An absolutely lovely hike. Highly recommend.

Side A is a bit longer, but much prettier. Side B is shorter, and less scenic. There are some decent views on Side B, but I'd recommend taking A up and down for the best experience.

Decent shoes are recommended. I hiked it in late spring/early summer, and a bit of the trail was close to being overgrown in one small section. But it was navigable and fine.

A wonderful break from the more touristed towns and cities. I went in the morning before it heated up and got busier, and it was lovely.

You can take a dip in the water at the bottom, if you're up for a little swim.

Beautiful.

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..

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.

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 😉

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.

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 😉

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 hike with at the bottom a nice place where you can swim. There is an info point where you can get a map. The loop takes around 2h10 (50 minutes going down and 1h20 going up). The acces is free but you pay 3 euros parking.
Try to spot the lizards 🦎

Tips: bring water, snacks, sun protection, swimwear and wear decent shoes.

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.

Beautiful place 😍 the road to the parking is manageable with any car if you go slow. The place itself is wonderful. We wanted to stay for a few hours but spend the whole day here. Very recommended 👍👍👍

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

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.

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.