Campanito Lakes

The small lake cluster of the mountains above Nicosia

The Campanito Lakes are small natural water mirrors situated at about 1250 metres above sea level, in the Sambughetti-Campanito Nature Reserve. The reserve — an autonomous regional protected area, outside the Nebrodi Park — covers the mountain area above Nicosia.

The reserve and its wildlife

The lake area is a protected habitat for:

• the Sicilian pond turtle (Emys trinacris), which has one of its largest colonies here;
• amphibians (common toad, green frog);
• seasonal water birds;
• riparian flora of botanical interest, surveyed by the University of Palermo.

Access is regulated under the Oriented Nature Reserve rules: no camping, no open fires, no flora collection.

Access trekking

The lakes are reachable via CAI Sicilia trails from the SS117 road above Nicosia. The most-walked path is the 24 Barons Trail section that crosses the reserve, with moderate elevation and a walking time of about 1-2 hours from the trailhead.

To visit

• Recommended season: late spring (April-May) and early autumn (September-October), when water is abundant and the natural environment is most pleasant.
• Gear: hiking boots, water, map or GPX traces.
• Recommended CAI guide: the trails are well marked but a CAI guide enriches the naturalistic reading.

See together

• The Monte Altesina — adjacent oriented reserve, panoramic peak.
• The Nebrodi Park — the great regional park a little further east, beyond Cerami.