In the summer months, enjoy a swim in the cool waters that flows through this basalt formation at Alcantara Gorge. Do not forget your main purpose, roam the small yet scenic woods on the slopes of the gorge.
If you prefer large woods with plenty of wild life, then it is Ficuzza for you, located on Bourbon Royal Estate near Corleone. Ficuzza is set in a large wood which is a protected nature reserve. With a bubbling stream and a man-made lake, the reserve abounds in beauty. This lodge has British influence and is open to the public. Its scenic grounds are a relaxing picnic spot. The access to the woods is limited to a series of trails behind the Palace. Here, you can also check out the Regional Wildlife Hospital (Centro Regionale Recupero Fauna Selvatica) which is a center unique in Sicily. It caters to injured birds and to creatures that need rehabilitation prior to being released into the wild. Most of the hospitals inmates are eagles, owls and hawks, and animals are squirrels and porcupines.
Along the Fiumefreddo river, near Calatabiano and nestling between Taormina and Catania is the Fiumefreddo nature reserve, a small natural reserve. The Fiumefreddo River is fed by two resurgences and reaches a depth of 10-12 m. The temperature of its waters remains stationary between 10 to 15°. It slow current and freshness are conducive to a very specific plant-life - European buttercup grow in company of African papyrus.
Then, there is the Royal Park ("La Favorita"), a vast forested area that was a royal hunting ground. Owned by the City of Palermo, it lies in the shadow of Mount Pellegrino and is located around the Chinese Villa. It is home to rabbits and migratory birds. The Scuderia, royal mews, serves as an office and the equestrian club has moved to a different location on the estate. Part of the estate is the Villa Niscemi, the palatial estate of an aristocratic family. This is designated as the mayor's official residence.
The Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve is located near the coastal village of Scopello, about 10 kilometers west of Castellamare del Golfo. Covered with woods and bush lands, this reserve is home to endemic flora and fauna.
Maccalube is situated outside Aragona, a few miles south of Agrigento. It is a field of small gray mud geysers which are not seen anywhere else in Italy.
Mount Etna is Sicily's largest nature reserve. Its slopes sport various species of oak and stone pine, birch and beech. In the lower altitudes, they give way to broom plant and other shrubs. Come autumn and Etna's deciduous trees create an umbrella of dazzling colors. The small ponds and streams of Etna's forests are home to frogs, toads and turtles, snakes and Sicily's ubiquitous lizards. Animals like the foxes, squirrels, weasels, hare, hedgehogs, porcupine, and wild cats also roam Etna woods. The tree tops and sky are dominated by owls, falcons, partridges, and golden eagle. In the Gurrida Lake area, you will find ducks, herons, and also some migratory birds.
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