Leaving Caltagirone, the route first loses elevation. The stage moves from the town’s ceramic streets into a more open, agricultural part of Sicily, with long straight sections, fields and little shade. Around the Mineo and Palagonia area, the profile becomes flatter; citrus groves, wide valleys and the plain southwest of Catania define this part of the day. For many kilometres, the route runs quickly through low ground before the character changes again. Beyond the Simeto area, the climb toward Etna begins. The road rises through Belpasso and the southern slopes of the volcano. The final approach to Nicolosi is clearly harder than the middle section: more gradient, busier towns, darker lava stone and the first real sense of being on Etna.
