Circuit around the Zingaro Nature Reserve: Sentiero di Mezza Costa.

fr

A walk without real difficulty around a circuit, with beautiful scenery and beautiful coves for swimming in the Zingaro Nature Reserve, situated between Scopello and San Vito Lo Capo in Sicily.

Technical sheet

n°144632
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.64 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 549 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 545 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 414 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 11 m
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Photos

Start of the descent to Cala dell'Uzzo
Pizzo del Corvo
Scopello
Tunnel entrance

Description of the walk

From the car park of the south entrance (S) of the reserve (on the Scopello side), after the toll, pass through a tunnel and then head slightly downhill, to arrive at the Centro Visitatori.

(1) From here there is a good climb up the left brings us closer to the southern boundary of the reserve and then leads to a vehicle track to which public entry is prohibited.

(2) There is an entrance gate allowing entry to persons authorised. Follow this path to the right for about 300 m to a house (parhaps part of the park?), that was closed during our visit in late May 2015.

(3) The track stops and continues along a path.

(4) Soon after at an intersection of paths we take the right branch and then pass by a trail on the left to continue, slightly uphill, to follow the clear path.
This leads to Pizzo del Corvo and Pizzo del Lupo, continue to reach some houses (restored), this is the uninhabited hamlet of Sughero (270 m altitude). There are signposts.

(5) Head downhill to the right and reach the coastal path. There is a good path here that passes near some uninhabited houses (some can be rented, I believe).

(6) It quickly meets the coastal path where it immediately becomes busier. Follow it to the right. We go down to the left in the Cala Beretta (7) where there is the opportunity to enjoy a dip in the water of a number of streams, but they are far from deserted.

Head back to the coastal path and take it up to the left. The trail is excellent, it is visibly busy!
We soon come to Centro Visitatori (1) and then the tunnel and car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 79 m - Car park at the southern entrance to the reserve
  2. 1 : km 0.49 - alt. 64 m - Centro Visitatori
  3. 2 : km 1.41 - alt. 248 m - Track
  4. 3 : km 1.78 - alt. 276 m - House
  5. 4 : km 1.96 - alt. 300 m - Intersection
  6. 5 : km 4.98 - alt. 260 m - Sughero
  7. 6 : km 6.32 - alt. 78 m - Coastal path
  8. 7 : km 7.11 - alt. 12 m - Cala Beretta
  9. S/E : km 10.64 - alt. 78 m - Car park at the southern entrance to the reserve

Practical information

Fee to access the reserve: € 5 per person. Access permitted from 07:00, exit before 19:00.
The car park near the entrance is not very large, we recommend arriving early.
In case of problems Scopello can be accessed from (2) following the track to the south.
In summer, I have read that options for hikes may be more limited (fire hazard).
This route does not present any difficulty.
There is the option to extend the hike by continuing after Sughero, at a medium altitude, as far as the area around Borgo Cosenza, and then down to the sea.

Remember to bring a good supply of water, sunglasses, hat, etc (and your swimsuit!) etc. It can be very hot, there is almost no shade.
No drinking water anywhere in the reserve; there is water at a fountain up in in the hamlet of Sughero but it is iffy and should be filtered at the very least.

The coastal path is busy, even during the week of the end of May, but the upper path is much less frequented due to the uphill climb and lack of shelter from the sun.
In my view, avoid hiking here on weekends and in high season, the streams may be chock full of bathers.

In the nearby area

The reserve was created when residents refused to allow a road joining Scopello to San Vito Lo Capo to be built, explaining the unfinished tunnel at the start of the hike.
Centro Visitatori: small exhibition, availability of information.
On the coastal path, there is at least one other house with small exhibitions of local products, particularly basketry.
Beautiful panoramas between (2) and (5).
Pleasant swimming opportunities in the beautiful coves.
There are some flowers, especially some orchids but mostly acanthus.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 14 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Jean VEYRIES
Jean VEYRIES

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A great walk in a magnificent landscape. Please note that the term "easy" should be used with caution, as the route is quite steep (400 m over the first few kilometres).
As our guide said, take plenty of water as it's hot. The fig trees at the 4 th km are welcome, but they are well protected by brambles.
Enjoy the walk

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CHARLES PETER
CHARLES PETER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice route, definitely worth recommending. Not a very busy walk in May, apart from the coves near the entrance to the reserve.
Don't go down the path where the Grotta di Mastro is located without good hiking boots, it's quite steep with lots of stones that make the path very slippery. I was careless when I put on my running shoes instead of my hiking boots, and the result was a malleolar spiral fracture.
I'll be back next year.

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Yannick79
Yannick79

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

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Philou64
Philou64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Beautiful tour of the Zingaro reserve. No problems with orientation. We did the loop in the morning, leaving early as it was very hot. Magnificent scenery and lots of orchids on the trail. Take plenty of water, we set off with 2 litres per person and it was a bit tight.

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Roger.rogerbarnes
Roger.rogerbarnes

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very scenic. It was a hot day so needed lots of water.
ella06
ella06
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 20, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very nice walk with a magnificent view, amidst the flowers. However, we didn't see the orchids, for which there are signs along the trail. We extended the loop by going as far as the north entrance, and took a lunch break on the Cala del'Uzzo beach (not much shade) with a dip in the cool but crystal-clear water. We also visited almost all the small museums along the way. In all, we spent 7 hours there.
Entrance to the reserve costs €5 and a map is given with the ticket.
Recommendation: beware of snakes, one passed between the feet of my companion, who fortunately had trousers on. No time to see what species it was.

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Agnės grosjean
Agnės grosjean
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

several circuits, a map is given at the entrance. parish specific to Brittany

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oha69
oha69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 26, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The climb after the visitatori centre is steep, but very gradual. A 3-hour walk with no difficulties. Well-maintained path. Beware of ticks in the higher parts of the path that have not been mown. We did it at 33 degrees, so bring a hat and 1? litres of water per person. On the upper part of the trail, we met no one. On the lower part, there are numerous coves for swimming, but the beaches are pebbled, so bring suitable footwear for easy bathing.

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Famille Montet
Famille Montet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 09, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Don't forget that in Italy parks and reserves are not free.

We did the round trip along the coast. The views are not quite the same!

It really is a magnificent hike. A word of advice: the beaches in the coves are made of pebbles! Regular hikers should bring suitable footwear!

There is a 10 km track from San Vito Lo Capo to CORNINO, which takes you around Monte Cofano.

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skyppyy38360
skyppyy38360

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 08, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I did some of the out-and-back sections of the lower trail for personal reasons, but I can confirm that this is a magnificent hike,
The descent to each creek is enchanting,
Done early in the morning in May with a certain coolness, the light is perfect.

Thanks to the creator of this hike, I'd definitely go back and do it all over again.

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nicopino
nicopino

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 12, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Really nice route, beautiful views, small turquoise coves, a pretty cave close to the route.
Family outing with a 6-year-old, last kilometre a bit tortuous for occasional walkers.

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yannmistral
yannmistral

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 26, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a seaside walk with little change in altitude and the option of a swim (several accessible coves)

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marycoton
marycoton

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 20, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely hike, best done in mid-season. We set off as soon as the reserve opened but the temperature rose very quickly (33°C at 10am) with very little shade! Don't forget to bring plenty of water (there are no water points in the reserve). A good climb at the start, which is also hot, but rewarded by the panoramic views. Very nice little coves, but again very quickly saturated in summer.

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Surfou
Surfou

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 07, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant walk, especially in May. Not much shade. As described. Free parking at the start and sandwiches and drinks for sale at a reasonable price.

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