Hiking

Hiking activities are carried out by qualified staff and guides AIGAE (Italian Association of Environmental Hiking Guides under L.n.4/2013), i.e., state-recognized professional guides who allow people to enjoy nature to the fullest and safely.

RISERVA NATURALE GROTTA DI SANTA NINFA

It is located on a plateau of chalky nature characterized by a striking karst environment, much studied and appreciated for its variety of forms. The reserve includes a cave with chalk concretions and its feeding basin (Biviere valley), where plant species of great naturalistic interest can be seen.

ROUTE 1: SWALLOWHOLE TRAIL

Departure from the Agroforestry Museum along the Biviere Valley in the heart of the reserve.

LENGTH: 3 km approx.

DURATION: 2 hours

DIFFICULTY: easy

ROUTE 2: NECROPOLIS TRAIL

Route that starts from the Agroforestry Museum, reaches the Necropolis of Monte Finestrelle and continues into the Biviere Valley in the heart of the reserve.

LENGTH: 3.5 km approx.

DURATION: 2.5 hours

DIFFICULTY: easy

ROUTE 3: SCENIC TRAIL

Loop trail starting from the Agroforestry Museum and passing through the most scenic viewpoints of the Reserve.

LENGTH: 5 km approx.

DURATION: 3.5 hours

DIFFICULTY: medium

STONE CASTLE AREA

Between the municipalities of Partanna and Castelvetrano is a valley with high cliffs where the Belice River stream flows. It is possible to see characteristic lush vegetation, a fortification and the remains of an indigenous village. Intense scents and spectacular views can be enjoyed while observing the Belice River and its valley.

ROUTE 1: VALLEY TRAIL

Route between the path along the valley, cliffs and lush vegetation where a huge Oak tree can be seen.

LENGTH: 3 km

DURATION: 3 hours

DIFFICULTY: easy

BELICE RIVER MOUTH AND SURROUNDING DUNES NATURE RESERVE

Dicosta section from Selinunte to Porto Palo. A resting place for many migratory birds, characterized by the mouth of the Belice River, marshy and typical dune flora and fauna, picturesque landscapes and one of the most beautiful Sicilian beaches .

ITINERARY 1: DUNE TRAIL

Loop trail that starts from the former FS toll house and, through dune vegetation, reaches the mouth of the Belice River.

LENGTH:about 2Km

DURATION: 1 hour

DIFFICULTY: easy

ITINERARY 2: BRIDGE TRAIL

Loop trail that follows the disused railway line to the bridge and through the reedbed to the mouth of the Belice River.

LENGTH: 2.5 km approx.

DURATION: 2 hours

DIFFICULTY: easy

ROUTE 3: PINE FOREST TRAIL

Route through the pine forest on the dunes to the Belice River Mouth.

LENGTH: 2.5 km (one way)

DURATION: about 2 hours

DIFFICULTY: easy

MONTE COFANO NATURE RESERVE

Large carbonate promontory in the municipality of Custonaci. It features numerous caves including the Scurati Cave, which along with a small hamlet of houses is used as the setting for the living nativity scene. The nature of the area makes the Reserve a succession of the most varied environments and landscapes and one of the most important sites for the presence of endemic flora and rare fauna.

ROUTE 1: COASTAL TRAIL

Route skirting Mount Cofano with departure from Cala Buguto in Cornino and arrival at the Tonnara. Characteristic are the dense initial palm grove, the Cave of the Crucifix, and the vegetation of the coastal strip. LENGTH: about 4 km (one way)

DURATION: 2 hours ( one way)

DIFFICULTY: medium.

ROUTE 2: GORGO TRAIL (HOOD)

Loop route, starting from Cala Buguto, Cornino locality, making the round trip around Mt. going up to Borgo Cofano. Here it is possible to admire the coastal panorama between Erice and Capo San Vito.

LENGTH: about 9 km

DURATION: 4.5 hours

DIFFICULTY: difficult

ORIENTED NATURAL RESERVE SALT PANS OF TRAPANI AND PACECO

Between the municipalities of Trapani and Paceco. A large part of the Reserve consists of salt pans where salt harvesting by hand is still practiced and where numerous windmills are still in operation. The reserve is one of Sicily’s most important nesting and stopover areas for numerous bird species. The salt marshes are also home to numerous plant species that have adapted to the harsh saline environments.

ITINERARY 1: SALT PANS TRAIL

Route through the salt pans along which you can admire the views, different colors of the ponds, windmills, typical vegetation and various birds that find rest and food in this environment during migration. It is also possible to visit the Salt Museum and Visitor Center.

LENGTH: 2 km

DURATION: 2 hours

DIFFICULTY: easy

ANGIMBE’ FOREST AREA

In the municipality of Calatafimi-Segesta it consists of several remnant patches of a much larger native cork oak forest, now very rare in Sicily. These evergreen forests, constitute a fascinating environment not only for the tree species that dominate there, such as Cork Oak and Holm Oak, but also for the extraordinary wealth of shrubs and herbaceous plants that appear in the undergrowth.

ITINERARY 1: PATH OF THE CORK TREES

Loop trail through the paths among the lush vegetation and countless views.

LENGTH: 2 km

DURATION: 2 hours

DIFFICULTY: easy

GYPSY ORIENTED NATURE RESERVE

Stretch of rocky limestone coastline from Castellammare del Golfo to San Vito lo Capo, characterized by numerous coves and Mediterranean dwarf palm and ampelodesma vegetation. Several Museums can be visited in the reserve along itineraries with different degrees of difficulty.

ROUTE 1: COASTAL TRAIL

Route starting in Scopello and ending in San Vito lo Capo. The trail connects the many coves and features typical coastal vegetation.

LENGTH: about 7Km

DURATION: 3 hours

DIFFICULTY: medium (The itinerary can also be done from San Vito lo Capo to Scopello).

ITINERARY 2: CORK TRAIL

Loop trail starting from Scopello to contrada Sughero through mid-coast paths among various environments and landscapes of remarkable beauty.

LENGTH: about 8Km

DURATION: 5 hours

DIFFICULTY: medium-difficult

FOREST AREA SCORACE FOREST

In the Municipality of Buseto, where, among the lush Mediterranean scrub, cork oaks grow and cistus, cobezzoli and butcher’s broom prevail in the undergrowth. Here you can enjoy exciting views and go for walks on both forest tracks and trails.

ITINERARY 1:ARBUTUS TRAIL

Scenic loop trail that climbs from the picnic area through dense vegetation, oak groves and strawberry trees. LENGTH: 2.5 km (one way)

DURATION: about 2 hours

DIFFICULTY: easy

PREOLA LAKE AND ROUND GORGES NATURE RESERVE

Reserve with small lakes of karst origin surrounded by dense marsh vegetation typical of coastal, weakly brackish Mediterranean ponds and strategic stopover points for aquatic avifauna; lush Mediterranean scrub climbs the calcarenitic shores of the lakes.

ITINERARY 1: LOW GORGO TRAIL

LENGTH: 0.5Km

DURATION: 1 hour

DIFFICULTY: easy

ITINERARY 1: GORGHI TRAIL

LENGTH: about 2Km

DURATION: 2 hours

DIFFICULTY: easy