The Zingaro Nature Reserve
One of the very few stretches of Sicilian coastline not crossed by carriage roads, only an old ‘trazzera’ to be travelled on foot or on a mule.
The mule was the only ‘means’ of transport used by the last family to live on this stretch of coastline until the 1960s.
The coastline of the Zingaro reserve is characterised by steep cliffs that plunge into the sea from a height of even more than 900 metres, many coves also soften this stretch of coastline.
Along a 7-kilometre route, you will discover breathtaking colours and scents, flora and fauna; but even if you don’t want to walk it all, you will discover an area where nature is the master.
No matter what season you decide to go through it, what is certain is that at the Zingaro Nature Reserve Nature will amaze you
The sea
Stone that merges with water … or rather Stone that sinks into water thus revealing emerald colours that end in sapphire … isn’t this a precious jewellery box, or is it?
You can reach the Zingaro Reserve from the land but also from the sea, the approach to the reserve’s bays is magnificent in both cases; from the land you can see how the rocks plunge sheer into the sea creating an infinity of colours … from the sea, you see the rocks rise as if born from the water.
The sea is crystal-clear and teeming with fish… it was once a favourite stop during the tuna migration.
The sea
Stone that merges with water … or rather Stone that sinks into water thus revealing emerald colours that end in sapphire … isn’t this a precious jewellery box, or is it?
You can reach the Zingaro Reserve from the land but also from the sea, the approach to the reserve’s bays is magnificent in both cases; from the land you can see how the rocks plunge sheer into the sea creating an infinity of colours … from the sea, you see the rocks rise as if born from the water.
The sea is crystal-clear and teeming with fish… it was once a favourite stop during the tuna migration.
Flora
The Riserva Orientata dello Zingaro (Zingaro Oriented Reserve) is truly one of the treasures of western Sicily, a place to be surprised by silence but above all by nature.
Dwarf palms, myrtle, carob, almond trees … truly a flower for every season, think also of the wild orchids more than 20 species bloom in the reserve, a unique set of colours and scents that vary throughout the year.
Fauna
One last invitation, keep your nose to the grindstone!
Various species of birds of prey live and nest in the Zingaro reserve, such as the peregrine falcon and Bonelli’s falcon, but also the buzzard the kestrel and wild horses; indeed, along the highest path, in areas less travelled by humans, you can meet the wild horses of the Zingaro.
A walk in the Zingaro Nature Reserve can be done in any season … obviously in summer the favourite destination is not so much the walk itself but the coves of this unique reserve and diving into a crystal-clear sea where the stone plunges into the water.
Fauna
One last invitation, keep your nose to the grindstone!
Various species of birds of prey live and nest in the Zingaro reserve, such as the peregrine falcon and Bonelli’s falcon, but also the buzzard the kestrel and wild horses; indeed, along the highest path, in areas less travelled by humans, you can meet the wild horses of the Zingaro.
A walk in the Zingaro Nature Reserve can be done in any season … obviously in summer the favourite destination is not so much the walk itself but the coves of this unique reserve and diving into a crystal-clear sea where the stone plunges into the water.
