For this adventure, we decided to climb these mountains to try to get to know their nature. We are in the Hyblean mountains, but in this corner of the mountain, you can breathe air and have an Apennine-like vision: a naturalistic/cultural experience, for a very successful event. Returning to this corner of Sicily is always an emotion, both for its historical evocative value and for the particularity of this part of the Iblei, with its mountain flavor. In this area, between Vizzini, Licodia Eubea, and Monterosso Almo, Giovanni Verga lived part of his life and it is in these mountains that several of his stories are set. During the hiking, we will combine nature and culture, visiting the places of Verga, recalling his stories and characters, and exploring the mountain nature of the Iblei. We will discover the flora and fauna of these places starting from Canalazzo, a magnificent forest reserve of about 1500 ha, among oak and conifer woods, streams, wooden bridges, still functioning mills, drinking troughs, and then the magnificent 17th century fortified farmhouse, still today in perfect condition. Walking along these paths through dense woods and sudden wide views is an emotion to try. The Cave of Saints will also be part of our destinations, a rock site between burial places with relative catacombs and a church with wall paintings dating back to the fourteenth century.

PROGRAM:

9 a.m. – appointment in Vizzini, (the GPS position  will be given two days before)

9.05 a.m. – transfer by car to the starting path, about 25 minutes of travel on paved roads

9.30 a.m. – start of the circular route, about 9 km, 420m of elevation gain, walking on paths and forest roads. Along the way, we will visit the fortified farm of Case Canalazzo, the old mill, the beautiful wood that covers the whole area

2.30 p.m. – transfer by car, about 10 minutes, on paved roads, to reach the spectacular Cave of Sints

2.45 p.m. – small trekking to the cave, total 2 km A / R

4 p.m. – transfer to Vizzini and visit the Cunziria

5 p.m. – walking through Vizzini and visit the Verga museum

6 p.m. – end of the excursion.

The program may be subject to changes due to weather changes or special unforeseen needs.

We remind all participants in our initiatives, that in order to participate you must be in perfect physical health and to have a good look at the characteristics of the routes, and to call the organizers for any doubts on the matter. We also point out that, even if the fundamental and priority objective of our activities is the exploration of nature, aimed at the observation and dissemination of the same, facing everything with extreme tranquility, sometimes we find ourselves facing paths a little ‘more challenging to reach places of extreme importance and naturalistic beauty.