The wild coastline of the Zingaro Nature Reserve
In the province of Trapani, between the seaside village of Scopello and the coveted tourist destination of San Vito lo Capo, lies the Zingaro Nature Reserve. The 1,700 hectares of protected area, spanning 7 kilometers of the Tyrrhenian coastline, welcome tourists to a wild, timeless place in which nature is the only protagonist.
Sicily’s first nature reserve
That of the Gypsy Coast, besides being a paradise on earth, remains one of the few Sicilian coastal stretches without coastal roads. But in the 1976, the proposal to build one that would run along the entire coastline risked defacing the landscape.
Thanks to numerous environmental initiatives and protests by the citizens of Scopello and San Vito lo Capo, the project was rejected. In 1981, the Azienda Regionale Foreste Demaniali established the
Zingaro Oriented Nature Reserve
, the first in Sicily aimed at the protection of a territory fundamental to the island’s ecosystem.
A journey through nature
The Zingaro Nature Reserve is a journey through breathtaking scenery. The name “gypsy” comes from the pleasure of adventure. Here the reddish of the mountains meets the intense blue of the sea.
Lhe Mediterranean bush is the cornerstone of the place. Almond, olive, carob, ash and cork trees mingle with the elegance of 25 species of orchids and the dwarf palms. The latter are the undisputed symbol of the park ., both because of their spread and because of the ancient use of their leaves by farmers of yesteryear.
Behind lush flora lies an important fauna. Birds such as buzzards, kites, kestrels, barn owls, the colorful Great Tit and the vulnerable
Bonelli’s Eagle
. But also small mammals such as wild rabbits, weasels, foxes and hedgehogs.
Certainly the presence of these specimens enriches the value of the protected area, making it a treasure chest of biodiversity with strong natural beauty.
The Nature Reserve and its three trails
La Reserve, developed along the entire coast from Castellammare del Golfo to San Vito lo Capo, presents two entrances. The first to the south one kilometer away from Scopello and another to the north 12 kilometers from San Vito lo Capo.
The park authority allows tourists to have a magical experience according to their preferences. What makes this ravine of land unique are
the three trails
scenic, of different duration and intensity.
Coastal trail
The Coastal Trail, 7 kilometers long, is the most simple and accessible with a maximum duration of two hours. It allows you to visit the seven natural coves of the reserve, the Primitive Cave of the Uzzo, the Intreccio Museum and much more.
Mid-coast route
At 8.5 kilometers long, the Halfway Trail is a trail of medium difficulty and from the duration of four and a half hours. It is here that one gets to know the heterogeneity of the area, thanks to the scenic route. In addition, following the signs to reach the ancient agricultural village of
Borgo Cusenza
e Contrada Cork.
High route
The High Route, with its 17 kilometers and seven hours of walking time, requires strength and experience in trekking. Its challenging uphill trails reach the peaks of Monte Speziale (914 mt), Mount Wolf Pass (868 mt) and Mount Scardina (680 mt).
The Reserve’s museums and its seven natural coves
Originally the Gypsy Coast was home to several human settlements. Most of these, depending on the location of their villages, held jobs related to fishing or agriculture. Testifying to such roots are the
five museums
present along the trails.
Entering from Scopello we find the Naturalistic Museum dedicated to theEthnobotany of the Zingaro. Subsequently, the Manna Museum, the Museum of Interweaving, the Museum of the Peasantry and lastly the Museum of Maritime Activities.
The setting is the crystal clear sea of the seven Natural Coves of the Zingaro. Starting from the south trail entrance we find:
Cala Capreria
, 1.4 kilometers from the box office and close to the Nature Museum, generally very crowded.
Cala del Varo
, 2 kilometers from the entrance and reachable only by sea.
Cala della Disa
, 3.5 kilometers from the north and south entrances is characterized by two coves divided by a rock wall and a beach of white pebbles e turquoise sea.
- Beretta Cove, located in the center of the coast. The wildest of the coves also with white pebbles and cliffs.
Cala Marinella
, 3.5 kilometers from San Vito lo Capo, which has no beach but is suitable for snorkeling.
- Uzzo Cove, takes its name from the neighboring cave of the same name. It is located 2 kilometers from the north entrance and within walking distance of the Museum of Peasant Civilization. It presents a wonderful easily accessible beach.
Tonnarello cove of the Uzzo
, exactly before the Museum of Maritime Activities And 700 meters from the north box office. This generally is the most crowded destination on the route.
Information and tips for visiting the Zingaro Nature Reserve
La
Gypsy Nature Reserve
opens from 7:00 to 19:00, the ticket price is €5. Immediately after paying, a map depicting the three trails and points of interest.
È recommended choose the route according to one’s abilities e physical conditions. In the park no toilet facilities are present o catering activities. Especially d’summer is very hot, so it is advisable to get enough water for the long walk.
A ideal clothing, consisting of comfortable clothing and sneakers, makes it easier to traverse the slightly steep trails. Also for the beaches are rock shoes needed.
In July and August, the coves are very crowded. For those who want to enjoy nature all-around, it is recommended to visit the Reserve in June or better in spring and autumn.
Once inside, the tourist becomes a guest in this earthly paradise. It is necessary to behave as such on behalf of a sustainable tourism. You don’t have to absolutely pollute or set fires: any misstep, in addition to being fined, could cause permanent environmental disasters.
The Gypsy Nature Reserve by boat
For those who want to relax and visit the Reserve without too much effort, there is the possibility of book a boat tour. The boats allow vacationers to enjoy the beauty of the Venus Pools, i Faraglioni of Scopello and all the small inlets that the coast offers. An added note is definitely related to the possibility of being able to make snorkeling, discovering the wonderful marine life of the Sicilian sea.
Many of the guided excursions depart from the pier at San Vito lo Capo. These include. HippoCampus Susan and Mauro’s. For years they have been leading vacationers to discover the Gypsy Coast, of the Tonnara of Scopello, of the Mount Cofano Reserve and of the Gulf of Macari. For more info click
here
.
Luca Russo