Cefalu is the easiest coastal base for the Madonie. From there, the road climbs inland toward Castelbuono and Isnello before reaching the higher parts of the park. Palermo is also workable, but the drive is longer and less relaxed.
Public transport reaches the larger towns, especially Castelbuono and Petralia Sottana, but schedules are thin. For trailheads, small villages, and viewpoints, a car is the practical choice. Allow more time than the map suggests: the roads are narrow, bendy, and often too pretty to rush.