Lakes of Ganzirri and Capo Peloro Natural Reserve

Pleasant excursion around the lakes of Ganzirri, the Natural Reserve of Messina. Unique in its own kind, it is a fascinating place from a naturalistic point of view. Established in 2001, it allows the conservation of many native and endemic aquatic plant species. But it is also an important stopping place for many migratory birds.
This excursion will give you the opportunity to admire unique lagoon landscapes and discover ancient traditions of the fishermen village of Torre Faro.
The trail starts from the Church of San. Nicola inside the village of Ganzirri, along the "great quagmire".  On the way, you will admire one of the ancient Saracen towers of the Messina coast, guarded by "Pippo il checco" the last Nassarolo of Sicily. You will also enjoy fascinating places like the pylon, the charming English tower and the "little lantern".

Length: about 7 Km
Journey time: about 5 hours
Difficulty level: easy

Peloritani Ridge

Pleasant experience that will take you to Puntale Bandiera through the Peloritani ridge and the forest shelter of "Case Maressa". The excursion starts with a visit to the Dinnamare sanctuary (1130 m), from the Latin "Bimaris" which means “two seas”, because from there you can see both the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian seas. The trek leads along the ridge up to Puntale Bandiera (1040 m), where you will be able to admire the breathtaking landscapes and typical biodiversity of the Mediterranean scapes.

Length: 12 Km
Journey time: about 6 hours
Elevation gain: 250 mt
Difficulty level: moderate

Puntale Pistulona and Provincial Enoteca Visit

The trail is ring-shaped. Easily passable, it is composed of climbs and plains, and it is characterized by some ancient Greek wine vats. These were presumably born to ease transport of the must-wine from the places of production to the places of consumption. The flora is typical of the Mediterranean scrub, characterized by shrub species such as: flowering plants, thorny brooms, lentisks, ampelodesmos mauritanicus. Along the way you will find species related to the classic “commestible wild herbs”: hipocheris radicata, Urospermum dalechampii, Crepis. The tree species are: quercus pubescens, quercus ilex and chestnut trees. Once you reach the top of P. Pistulona you will able to admire a beautiful landscape on the Strait of Messina and the Calabrian coast. After the packed lunch you will came back to the starting point.
Following are the Provincial winehouse and the Benedictine Monastery of S.Placido Calonerò visits. At the end of the tour it will be possible to taste the typical wines of the Province of Messina, the three DOC wines, the Faro wine, the Malvasia delle Lipari and the Mamertino.

Length: 7 km
Journey time: about 5/6 h
Difficulty: easy

Baidazza path and “Giardino delle Meraviglie”

The trail deals with a pleasurable visit of the “Badiazza”, the ruins of the ancient Benedictine Abbey of Saint Mary of the Valley (12th. Cent), which is the first known feminine Latin convent of the Norman period. Your journey will continue passing through an easy paved path in the Peloritani Mountains until reaching “Giardino delle Meraviglie” (Garden of Wonders), a multi-purpose space of endemic and autochthonous plants. Through the creek and the old path, which once connected Messina to Milazzo, you'll arrive to the crossing "Portella S. Rizzo" (470 m), locally called "i quattru strati" (four roads). Walking through a paved track you will enter to the Pine Grove of Camaro, an artificial wood of the early 20th century, full of pines, poplars, chestnut trees and willows. The guided excursion will continue through the natural route called "Ferraro -Madonnuzza" until you'll finally reach the multifunctional building of the Peloritani. This edifice is located in the same road that leads to the Dinnamare Sanctuary, replaced the old nursery of the Forestry Corps. In its 16000 m2 you can enjoy the butterfly garden, the hygrophilous flora pond, the Peloritan flora garden with about 200 species of autochthonous plants (some of them really rare and endangered), the essential oil & medicinal plant route, the autochthonous fruiting garden, the geo lithological route and and finally the lithological representation of the Province of Messina, made with rocky materials found in our territory. After the trekking you will return to the meeting point and it possible to have a little break for lunch to the characteristic small kiosk of "don Minico", where you can enjoy the traditional "Pagnotta della Disgraziata Messinese" (a typical filled loaf).

Length: 4 km
Journey time: about 4 hours
Difficulty: moderate

Baidazza path and the San Jachiddu Fort

The trail begins with a guided tour of the Benedictine Monastery of Santa Maria della Valle, the “Badiazza”, the first known feminine Latin convent of the Norman period, located in the bed of the San Michele riverside. Through woods of pines, you will reach the crossroads of the San Rizzo hills.
After a little break to taste the typical filled loaf ("Pagnotta della Disgraziata Messinese") of Don Minico’ kiosk, crossing the Candelara wood and the “Portella Castanea”, you will arrive to “Forte San Jachiddu”, one of the best known Umbertine fortifications in the province of Messina.

Length: 12 Km
Journey time: about 6 h
Difficulty: moderate

Musolino – Forte Campone – Chiarino Peak

The hike starts from the Musolino parking area (600 m above sea level) and continues downhill for about 4 km. During the walk, you will be able to appreciate the flora and fauna of the Peloritani mountains. Passing through woods of oaks and chestnut, and crossing a thick undergrowth of butcher's-broom and apelodesma, you will arrive in Forte Campone. The Campone fort is one of the latest umbertine fortifications of the city of Messina. Located in Calvaruso (about 500 meters above sea level), it is formed by two levels connected by a ramp on the left side. Inside the defensive walls, you can see eight different pitches for cannons. After a break, you will resume the path, until you reach Pizzo Chiarino(896 m a.s.l.) from which you can enjoy a wonderful panorama. From here you will return to the starting point.

Length: 10 km
Journey time: about 6 h
Difficulty: moderate

Day and time of departure: to be agreed
Meeting Place: to be agreed
Price: differ according to participant number
Necessary equipment: Comfortable shoes, hat and a small bottle of water.

Booking takes place no later than 48 hours prior departure.

For any further questions please don't hesitate to contact us either by email escursioni@associazionepfm.it or phone: +39 3313457538.