Path 1: Castle Steps - Monte S. Caterina
Using Piazza Marina as its starting point, the route skirts the small church of S. Antonio and then reaches the Praia via Via Diaz. Here is the first place of interest with the imposing Stabilimento Florio plant overlooking the harbour bay. Past the establishment, one follows the asphalt road for about a kilometre, which climbs at a high gradient towards the fort of S. Caterina. At the beginning of the stairway, the last point reachable by bike or motor vehicle, the ascent to the top of the mountain begins, with the castle, built by King Roger the Norman, as its dominant feature. On either side of the steps are typical Mediterranean terraces with lush euphorbia bushes, and where, depending on the season, borage, nettle, thyme and other plants and flowers that have disappeared elsewhere grow. After the first few ramps, the panorama opens up on both sides of the island, with superb views of Levanzo, Erice and the Marsala coastline. Reaching the summit, it is also possible to walk along paths on the north-west side of the mountain where there are wild olive trees and large, centuries-old carob trees, sentinel to the breathtaking landscape that turns towards Marettimo.
| Route: | Pedestrian |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
| Distance: | 2,9 km |
| Time: | 60 min |
| Altitude difference: | 310 m |