Ustica Naturalistic Trails
Ustica Naturalistic Trails, if you love nature Ustica offers much more than a pristine blue sea. A unique natural environment makes this fantastic island the ideal habitat for many rare birds, making it one of the best places to do birdwatching in Sicily. If you love nature you will surely be enchanted by the beauties of Ustica, the “Black Pearl of the Tyrrhenian“. Naturalistic itineraries for trekking, walks between the coast and the mountain side, views to take your breath away. In 1997 the Oriented Nature Reserve was established in Ustica, which extends over the Guardia dei Turchi hill. Today, thanks also to it, you have the opportunity to live in an earthly paradise preserved from human damage.
Trekking, Hiking and Ecological Walks
There are many nature trails that wind along the entire surface of the island, immersed in the pristine nature of the Mediterranean scrub rich in endemic vegetation and fauna, both panoramic and spectacular. Ustica is ideal for trekking and hiking, but also for less demanding ecological walks. Among the numerous routes we recommend:
Mezzogiorno Trail
The path starts directly from the town and arrives at the lighthouse of Cavazzi Point, on that part of the island with the highest coast and less accessible to the sea, and not visible from the perimeter municipal road. It crosses the areas of Piano dei Cardoni, San Paolo, Oliastrello and Arso, between natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes. The only accesses to the sea are between the Blue Cave and the Pastizza Cave, in San Paolo Cove with the nearby Boats Cave, at Galera Point, and towards the end in the Scugghitti area, and at the end of the path, a bath in the fabulous Natural Swimming Pool. The route takes about two hours, we recommend a hat, sports shoes and water. We recommend making the excursion in the morning or late afternoon. Medium-difficult difficulty.
Tramonto Trail
The Sunset Path winds inside the Oriented Nature Reserve, along the northern slope, between 100 and 200 meters of altitude, the beginning is on the Wood path, and offers splendid views both in the direction of the other reliefs of Ustica, both on the Tramontana plain and, above all, on the marine-coastal stretch affected by the Marine Protected Area. The beginning is above the Passo della Madonna, and winds up to the belvedere from which to admire the splendid view of the Spalmatore, Sidoti cove and Doctor’s Rock. The path ends at the edge of the pine forest from where you can go back or continue on other minor paths. Medium-easy difficulty.
Tramontana Trail
The itinerary starts from Town Hall Square, at the crossroads take the cobbled road on the right, on your right you will almost immediately find the splendid Giacone cove and the Suburban park just below the Falconiera fortress. After passing the small cemetery of the island, you can admire a splendid panorama on the northern coast of the island, with the pier and the Sacramento rock famous for its particular shape. Further on you will meet the famous Faraglioni, large lava blocks lying on the sea, and at the northernmost tip of the island, there is the exceptional archaeological site consisting of the prehistoric Faraglioni village. Returning to the road we meet the bathing sites of Punticedda and Corruggio. On the left, the path leads to the Gorgo Salato, a large natural water collection depression where countless migratory breeds stop there, and therefore of particular interest for study and photography. Continuing along the path you pass the tip called Testa de Rosso until you reach the Passo della Madonna with the splendid view overlooking the cove below and from where you can admire fantastic sunsets. Medium-easy difficulty.
Wood Trail
The Wood Path is certainly one of the most evocative walks on the island: a path in the midst of large patches of Mediterranean essences that develops within the Oriented Nature Reserve, with breathtaking views. The itinerary starts north of the town in Old Houses (near the playground). You begin to walk along the Wood Street, used by the Coal men and restored in the Bourbon period. Going up, after a few meters, there is a stepped path that leads to the radar observatory. Continue on the main path and a little further on you have an exceptional view of the whole Tramontana plain with its large cultivated areas and Mediterranean scrub. Continuing further, the path divides and continuing on the left, a little further on, you will be able to see the caves called Lapillo caves, and at the end of the road you will reach the top of Guardia dei Turchi hill (radar) and then go down again through a long, very comfortable staircase. until you reach the historic center again. On the way up the steps you will come across the archaeological site of Culunnedda and the panoramic plateau of Bombolino. The path can be followed in both directions, we recommend proceeding along the cobbled road and taking the stairs downhill. Medium difficulty.
In addition to the most popular trails, Ustica offers the opportunity to discover other routes scattered throughout the area. The wood is a maze of small paths to discover, immersed in the dense vegetation and in the silence of nature, and some of them are panoramic and spectacular. Other paths are those of the Spalmatore, the Quattro Venti, the Carbonari and the Passo della Madonna.
MOUNTAIN BIKE & TOURISM CYCLING
Ustica in Bike & MTB
Visiting new places is exciting, but exploring them by bicycle is a whole other adventure … You can choose when and where to stop to take a picture or enjoy a moment of peace to catch your breath. You are fast enough to get around, but not fast enough to miss beautiful things like traveling by car or scooter. Furthermore, if keeping fit during the holidays can be difficult, especially in Sicily where there are so many delicious traditional dishes to try, a day on the bike helps in the attempt. In Ustica we are particularly attentive to the protection of nature and support eco-sustainable means that respect the ecosystem of the island, in perfect slow style. Numerous operators rent electric city bikes suitable for traveling on asphalt or light dirt roads.
Different story if you decide to come to Ustica by MTB, its characteristics allow you to truly know the essence of the island and it is an environmentally sustainable means of transport that respects the unspoiled nature of the island. The island for MTB enthusiasts, and in particular enduro, is a real Bike Park, small, but with all the features to have fun, lots of single tracks, technical, panoramic, fast descents and paths of unparalleled naturalistic beauty . Most of the routes are suitable for all mountain bikes, but in particular for e-mountain bikes, which find their natural habitat in Ustica. Unfortunately, to date the renters do not provide any type of mtb, so you will have to bring your own. On the spot the possibility of a guide, subject to advance contact.
All the paths of Ustica are traced in detail, described in the main features, with photos and videos. You can find them on the Wikiloc app by searching for “I SENTIERI DI USTICA” by Vincenzo Padovani.
We at Le Terrazze Sul Mare Ustica Studio Apartments are Bike Friendly and Cyclists Friendly, we give cyclists who request it the opportunity to park their bikes on the terrace, we offer minimal mechanical assistance for small interventions, we provide maps with routes and, on request , we organize guided excursions on the beautiful nature trails of the island.
LEISURE
Our Studios
Ustica Naturalistic Trails
USTICA - ITALY
Le Terrazze sul Mare – Ustica Studio Apartments
Via Cristoforo Colombo, 90051 Ustica (Pa)
Tel: +39 0917574482 – Cell: +39 338 9066477 / 339 4294992
info@leterrazzeustica.it
The studios are rented with a short tourist lease without the provision of personal services (Article 4 of Legislative Decree 50 \ 2017).
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