Madonie and Nebrodi: the other Sicily between millenary woods, villages, and high-altitude panoramas

When one thinks of Sicily, one only imagines white beaches and Greek temples with their abandoned ruins. Yet the island preserves two lungs it is very proud of, the Madonie Park and the Nebrodi Park, which are located respectively between the provinces of Palermo and Messina.

The first is the Madonie Park, which hosts peaks that even reach almost 2000 meters, such as Pizzo Carbonara, which is the second highest mountain after Etna. This park hosts many particular features, from authentic villages like Castelbuono, which is also famous for its Ventimiglia Castle, or even the artisan panettone Fiasconaro, but also Petralia Soprana, which is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

Furthermore, hiking enthusiasts will find a network of spectacular trails, such as the one to the Abies Nebrodensis, a rare and endangered fir tree found right at the end of one of the paths. The Nebrodi, on the other hand, moving further east, are also known as the Dolomites of the South and form the most extensive mountain range in Sicily. They host the artificial lakes of Maulazzo and Biviere di Cesarò, but also plateaus that are home to the Sanfratello horses and the Nebrodi black pigs, which are indigenous breeds that have survived here for centuries. The beautiful thing is that, in less than an hour, from here, you can reach Cefalù or Capo D'Orlando, thus creating a unique contrast: from the green lung of Sicily, you pass to the most beautiful beaches on the island, creating a combo that is for few.

Within the Nebrodi, there are also refuges immersed in nature where it is possible to observe the stars, stop there to enjoy the night silence, and also taste local dishes, such as aged cheeses and mountain honey.

These two parks, which look at each other like mirrors, tell of an unprecedented, new Sicily, ready to tell its story to those who have never listened to it.

Cover photo credits: Carlo Columba