Hiking Sicily’s Zingaro Nature Reserve: Riserva Naturale Dello Zingaro

Sicily has a sea that is unlike any other and the Riserva Naturale Orientata Dello Zingaro has to be the Sicilian crown jewel. Europeans have long known the natural beauty of Sicily. While the Europeans have vacationed in Sicily for ages, many Americans have largely yet to discover this enchanting place. Although the most talked about beach in Northern Sicily is San Vito Lo Capo, most locals head to the well-kept UNESCO heritage site of Zingaro Nature Reserve, or Riserva Naturale Orientata Dello Zingaro for their summer escapes. As you begin your decent down the hills, it is revealed that this Mediterranean gem is enveloped in 7 km (4.3 mi) of white and orange cliffs that dive into a crystal green and turquoise water. The park stretches from San Vito Lo Capo down to Scopello with over 6 coves spread out in between. It’s a hikers paradise.

I had originally gone in with the idea of hiking Sicily’s Zingaro Nature Reserve for 2 hours straight, but after walking for 10 minutes in the blasting 11AM Sicilian heat in August, we retreated to the closest beach Cala Marinella (the second beach from the entrance of Cala dell’Uzzo). The key to discovering this remarkable nature reserve would be to get out there at 7AM or 6PM and trek it from head to toe. To explore this beauty I recommend you come in a pair of sneakers, a baseball hat, bathing suit, and a bag with a lot of water and sunscreen. You can either choose to lay low and walk near the coastline or hike 900 meters to the top of the cliffs.

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Unlike San Vito Lo Capo’s beach, the price is cheap to enter la Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro starting at 3.50 Euro, and it’s more scenic in my opinion. Only downside is that you will find no shade, no sun beds, and no water or food stands so prepare yourself for a more down and dirty beach day. The recent heat had caused a forest fire that had destroyed a good part of the vegetation, but rather than ruin the landscape, it gave the UNESCO World Heritage Site an even more rustic and oasis feel.

One thing to note is that Italy in August is CROWDED. Everyone is on vacation that month so the beaches are packed with people, so we decided to skip the first beach/cove, since we assumed that everyone would be stopping there first. The distance from the first cove to the second is about a 15 minute walk (or so they say…), but under that Sicilian sun it felt more like a 25 minute walk. We came across an enormous grotto, but were too hot to stop by it. We had to head immediately to the second cove, Cala Marinella, to cool down.

We spent the next 30 minutes in the water at all times trying to escape the Sicilian sun. The water is transparent and gorgeous and the perfect way to cool yourself down for the walk back.

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That’s right – it was too hot and the remaining coves were to far too continue so we decided to call it a day! Maybe for another time..but if you do get the chance to walk it all, here is a list of my glorious can’t miss stops down the Cala’s! The must see Cala’s include: Cala dell’Uzzo, Grotta dell’Uzzo, Cala Marinella, Cala Berretta, Cala della Disa, and Cala del Varo.

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