Sometimes, during a vacation, we may feel the urge to escape the city and reconnect with open spaces and peaceful sounds. Today, we present to you three places easily reachable by car from the center of Palermo, perfect for a walk of exploration and reflection. All three routes are suitable for walkers of any experience level, including children aged 3/4 and above
Monte Pellegrino dominates the city from above, but also up close. Famous for the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia at its summit and the iconic Castello Utveggio, it offers numerous easily walkable trekking routes, perfect for discovering the secrets of this mountain so beloved by the people of Palermo. Among the various available trails, we suggest the ‘Mountain Bike 1’ route, which starts at the forest ranger’s gate and leads to the panoramic viewpoint of the Abisso della Perciata.
The second route we suggest is the one leading to the discovery of Grotta Conza, a cave used for agro-pastoral activities from the Paleolithic era up until the last century. The cave, rich in ferns, is now home to bats, various birds, and occasionally the tawny owl. It is reachable on foot via a short and easy trail, surrounded by lush vegetation that includes dwarf palms, prickly pears, capers, euphorbia, manna ash, and almond trees. Along the way, you can enjoy a splendid view of the Gulf of Sferracavallo and Mount Gallo.
For those who prefer to stay close to the land and the sea, we recommend a walk towards the Capo Gallo lighthouse. This route, mostly flat and largely paved, is also suitable for bicycles and runs along the sea, in the shade of the mountain of the same name. During the summer, it’s also possible to take a dip in the waters of the reserve, right at the foot of the lighthouse.
