Nebrodi Park

The great Sicilian park

The Nebrodi Park is the largest protected area of the Sicily Region, with about 86,000 hectares. It extends along the Nebrodi mountain chain, between the provinces of Messina, Catania and Enna. Nicosia lies outside the park boundary, but is its natural western gateway: on the Enna side the park’s member towns are Cerami — a partner village — and Troina. The protected area that directly touches Nicosia’s territory is the Sambughetti-Campanito Nature Reserve.

The environment

The park hosts one of the most complex mountain ecosystems of Mediterranean Italy:

• beech forests, the southern limit of the species in Europe;
• oak groves (sessile oak, holm oak, Turkey oak);
• springs and mountain lakes (see Campanito Lakes);
• seasonal high-altitude meadows with endemic flora;
• wildlife: porcupine, pine marten, wildcat, raptors.

CAI trails

The CAI Sicilia maintains a network of marked trails that cross the Nicosian side of the park. The main one is the 24 Barons Trail, a 3- or 5-day trek between Nicosia, Sperlinga and Cerami that uses the park trails.

Certified GPX tracks are published on Komoot and kept up to date by the CAI Enna section.

Events and management

The park is managed by the Nebrodi Park Authority, with seat in Caronia (ME). For Nicosia, the relevant park events are listed in the calendar.

To visit

• Best season: April-June and September-November.
• Gear: hiking boots, layered clothing, water, CAI map.
• CAI guide: strongly recommended, especially for less-frequented trails.
• Access: via the SS120 towards Cerami and Troina, the park’s gateways on the Enna side.

See together

• Campanito Lakes — mountain lakes in the park.
• Monte Altesina — adjacent panoramic peak.
• Cerami and Sperlinga — partner villages reached through the park.