Via Dei Mille

A varied three-day trail ride through rural Sicily.

There are routes that are more than just paths through a landscape. Routes that carry stories within them — of times gone by, quiet encounters, and the feeling of arriving fully in the here and now for a moment. Via dei Mille leads through exactly these kinds of landscapes.

You ride through the authentic heart of Sicily: across rolling hills, through remote valleys and quiet forests, past old railway lines, rugged rock formations, and olive groves that have shaped this region for generations. The days in the saddle alternate between long canters, gentle climbs with sweeping views across the countryside, and small trails that lead deep into rural Sicily.

Along the way, you are accompanied not only by nature but also by the history of the island. The route passes through areas that were once part of Garibaldi’s “Expedition of the Thousand” — a journey through a Sicily full of contrasts, traditions, and memories.

Yet Via dei Mille is above all about the feeling of being on the move. The rhythm of the horses, the scent of the Mediterranean landscape, and the evenings spent sharing meals, telling stories, and letting the day slowly come to an end. A journey for anyone who wishes to experience Sicily deeply — authentically, unhurriedly, and connected to nature, culture, and horses.


DATE

10–14 September 2026 (Thursday–Monday)

5 days / 4 nights

(3 riding days)

RETREAT LANGUAGE

The retreat is conducted in English. Anna also speaks German and Italian, and Francesco speaks Italian as well. Communication with us takes place in English or German - as you wish!

RIDING

Confident riding in all three gaits is required.

PRICE

from 800 €



8 SPOTS – SEPTEMBER 2026

Available spots: 3
Reserved spots: 0
Booked spots: 5

REGISTRATION


More rides open for english speaking groups in Sicily:



Program

Day 1

Your time away can begin! In the evening, you will meet the group as well as your guides, Francesco and Anna, for a first shared dinner at the Azienda. There, you will receive a briefing on the route and get to know your fellow riders.

Individual arrival

18:30 – Welcome & shared dinner


Day 2 (approx. 5 hours of riding)

On the first riding day, we set off towards Lago di Raja, passing the fields of local farms along the way. Along the lake, we enjoy views of Cozzo Imbriaca and the impressive Listi di San Felice — striking rock formations that, from a distance, resemble ancient castle ruins.

We then continue through a peaceful valley, where our team has prepared a picnic break. Afterwards, the route takes us via Campofiorito along the old railway line to our home for the night: a charming country house in the Sicilian countryside.

Once the horses have been cared for, we drive to the historic centre of Corleone. During a guided tour, we learn more about the town’s eventful history, which today stands as a symbol of the fight against the Mafia.

Dinner and overnight stay.

8:00 – Breakfast
9:00 – Meet at the horses & departure
17:30 – Arrival in Corleone, guided tour
20:00 – Dinner

Day 3 (approx. 5 hours of riding)

After a leisurely breakfast, we once again follow the old railway line and ride along the outskirts of Corleone, passing the former train station and travelling through a landscape of olive groves, citrus orchards, vineyards, and pastures.

For lunch, we stop at an old country house, once a monastery, idyllically situated on a hilltop. Afterwards, we continue our journey towards Ficuzza and arrive in the afternoon at a traditional agriturismo, where we will spend the night.

Before dinner, we visit the Reale Casina di Caccia di Ficuzza — the former Bourbon hunting lodge, which is now managed as a museum by the Sicilian Region.

Dinner and overnight stay.

8:00 – Breakfast
9:00 – Meet at the horses & departure
17:30 – Arrival in Ficuzza
20:00 – Dinner

Day 4 (approx. 7 hours of riding)

After breakfast, we set off on the longest stage of our trek. The route leads us through the impressive forests of Ficuzza — once the hunting grounds of King Ferdinand IV of Bourbon. Beneath Rocca Busambra, the highest mountain in the Sicani range, we ride along ancient trails through untouched nature to Passo del Vento, before the route gradually descends southwards once again.

After a well-deserved lunch break in the shade of large mulberry trees, we continue our ride and arrive at Trolling Farm in the afternoon, where our intensive three-day journey comes to an end.

Dinner and overnight stay.

8:00 – Breakfast
9:00 – Meet at the horses & departure
17:30 – Arrival at Trolling Farm
20:00 – Dinner


Day 5

Nothing gold can stay! After our final breakfast together at the Azienda, the transfer will take us back to the airport, or you may choose to continue your journey independently.


“My heart and spirit are filled to the brim

with beautiful memories of our Trail Riding & Yoga Retreat. My soul has been deeply touched by the unique landscape, the horses, and the encounters along the way. I am profoundly grateful for it all and drifted into the new week feeling wonderfully rested.”


Photos from other Retreats in Sicily

Let yourself be inspired! These are photos from our Riding & Yoga Retreats. The accommodation, the rides, the excursions, and everything else are exactly the same. This gives you an impression of what awaits you.



Horse Riding

Happiness lies on the back of horses. What could be more beautiful than exploring Sicily from the saddle? Included in the programme are three full days of riding along the Via Dei Mille route (see programme above). At Azienda Agricola Traina, we ride home-bred Freiberger-Arabian and Connemara-Arabian cross horses. The horses are kept and treated with great care and in a horse-friendly manner, which is reflected in their calm and balanced temperament. They are ridden with English or trail saddles and simple snaffle bits.

For this retreat, you must be a confident rider and comfortable in all three gaits. As longer stretches are ridden at trot and canter, it is important that you are proficient in both. If you are unsure whether your riding skills are sufficient, please send us an email so that we can assess it together.

The maximum rider weight is 80 kg. Helmet use is mandatory.


Your Guides

Anna and Francesco will accompany you on this retreat.

In 2022, Anna rode from Piedmont to Sicily over the course of six months with her two horses, Bamiro and Rhiannon, and her dog, Sparta. Since then, she has been living and working at Azienda Agricola Traina, training and starting the horses under saddle, leading treks, and helping ensure that the trekking horses are as wonderful as they are.

Francesco is the owner of Azienda Agricola Traina, which offers organic farming, guest accommodation, cultural experience journeys, and horseback trekking through the beautiful Sicani Mountains region of Sicily.


Accommodation

Corleone – Agriturismo Ridocco

On the second night, after the first riding day, you will stay near Corleone in a wonderful old farmhouse run by two brothers who love horses, country life, and their cats. The cuisine is excellent, the pool offers a refreshing place to relax, and the country-style rooms are comfortably furnished.

We stay in double rooms (double and twin rooms). Some bathrooms are shared, with a maximum of four people sharing one bathroom.

Ficuzza – Agriturismo Busambra

This charming agriturismo is peacefully located at the edge of the forest and features a swimming pool where you can refresh yourself after a long day. Here, you will stay in double or triple rooms (double and twin beds), each with its own private bathroom.


Prizzi – Azienda Agricola Traina

The first and last night are spent at Azienda Agricola Traina. You will stay in one of several houses on the estate, all furnished in a rustic Sicilian style.

Two double rooms and two single rooms with shared bathrooms are located in the main house, where meals are also served. A three-minute walk away is the horse stable, next to which there are two additional double rooms, each with its own private bathroom and small private kitchen.


Rooms & Prices

Double room: €800 per person
Single room: €880 per person

You can also pay in CHF.


 

Included in the Price

  • 3 full-day trail rides

  • 2 nights at Azienda Agricola Traina

  • 2 nights in farmhouses along the route

  • Full board

  • Dinner on the arrival day at the Azienda

  • Breakfast on the final day

  • Transfer from the airport to the Azienda (Day 1)

  • Transfer from the Azienda to the airport (on departure day at 10:15 a.m. – approximately 2–2.5 hours to the airport)

  • Assistance with travel planning and booking (please contact us by email well in advance)

  • Information package, including a packing list, in English


Not Included in the Price

  • Flights to and from Palermo

  • Transfer from the Azienda to the airport at any time other than the scheduled departure transfer at 10:15 a.m. on the departure day

  • Additional nights for earlier arrival or later departure


 

Double Room 1 in the Main House with shared bathroom

Double Room 2 in the Main House with shared bathroom

Single Room 1 in the Main House with shared bathroom

Single Room 2 in the Main House with shared bathroom

Double Room 1 at the barn with own bathroom and kitchen

Double Room 2 at the barn with own bathroom and kitchen (1 double bed 160cm and 1 single bed 90cm)


Registration

  • Fill out the form below completely.

  • Click “SUBMIT”.

  • You will then receive an email with information about the deposit payment. If you do not receive an email, please check your spam folder. If you cannot find it there either, please send us an email at hello@reitenundyoga.ch. Your spot will be reserved for you for 7 days after registration.

  • We review all deposit payments every Wednesday. Once we have received your deposit, we will contact you with all further information. If no deposit is received within 7 days of your registration, we will release your spot.

Waiting List

If the retreat is already fully booked, you will see the note “Waiting List” next to the date. To join the waiting list, simply complete and submit the form. You will then receive an email informing you that the retreat is full but that you have been placed on the waiting list. Should a spot become available, we will contact you immediately. Unfortunately, we cannot predict if or when a spot will become available.

Do you have any questions? We are happy to help at hello@reitenundyoga.ch.

 

Insurance & Terms and Conditions

Your place on the retreat is definitively reserved once we have received a deposit of CHF 700 or €700. This amount is non-refundable in the event of cancellation, unless we are able to find another participant who books the retreat under the same conditions. In that case, we will either credit you the full amount (valid for 10 years) or refund it to you minus a CHF 100 administration fee. The remaining balance is due no later than six months before the start of the retreat. The General Terms and Conditions of Riding & Yoga apply.

We recommend taking out travel cancellation insurance, which may cover any contractual cancellation costs. If you do not already have travel cancellation insurance, we recommend Allianz. Their policy can be used to insure any retreat. You can find all information about this insurance here.


Registration Form

The retreat takes place in all weather conditions and with a minimum of four participants. In the event of very poor weather, the route may need to be adjusted.

Your place on the retreat is definitively reserved once we have received a deposit of CHF 700 or €700. This amount is non-refundable in the event of cancellation. The remaining balance is due no later than three months before the start of the retreat. The General Terms and Conditions of Riding & Yoga apply.

We recommend taking out travel cancellation insurance, which may cover any contractual cancellation costs.