Natura di Sicilia : La Riserva Naturale Sambughetti Campanito

The Sambughetti-Campanito Nature Reserve is located in the province of Enna, within the municipalities of Nicosia and Cerami. Its establishment aims to protect an area of ​​remarkable natural value. The reserve is a concentration of scenic beauty that extends between the peaks of the Sambuchetti and Campanito mountains, southwestern offshoots of the Nebrodi Mountains. Its defining features are two mountain lakes and a beech forest on the hillside. It is also populated by a rich terrestrial and avian fauna, but also offers numerous insights for botany enthusiasts. The route I propose is one of four marked by the forestry authorities. It presents no particular difficulty and is also suitable for children. It begins from a turnoff on state road 117, where a small clearing and a gate mark the start of the trail. We are 29 kilometers from Nicosia in the direction of Mistretta. The first stretch of the trail runs parallel to one of the many streams that flow higher up. After a climb of about a kilometer, on a plateau at 1,300 meters above sea level, a placid expanse of green and blue opens up. This is the largest lake. Its waters are covered with dense hygrophilous vegetation, an ideal habitat for a myriad of frogs, toads, and, above all, the charming Sicilian marsh turtles. The air all around resonates with the croaking of amphibians. Around the larger lake is an area equipped with wooden tables and benches, perfect for a picnic in the shade of the trees. The autumn foliage is splendid, spring is a riot of flowers, and in winter the peaks may be snow-capped. I don't recommend summer, also because the area around the lake is marshy (the so-called margi are stagnant pools) and insects abound. A second, smaller lake is just a few minutes' walk away, climbing higher. The landscape here is also fascinating, although the lake, due to the dense floating vegetation, resembles a marsh. Once again, the concert of natural sounds will enchant you. Following the directions—which are admittedly a bit sketchy—the trail that climbs up the mountain begins here. The climb is long but not particularly steep, entering the beech forest and offering increasingly expansive panoramic views. Along the way, you'll encounter the "Grotta di Nevalore," a rocky cave once used as a snowfield for storing ice and, more recently, as a shelter for passing flocks. At the end of the climb, you'll find yourself on a ridge offering spectacular views to the northeast, with Mount Etna dominating the scene, and to the south, with much of inland Sicily stretching out before you. A wooden hut marks the summit and offers a good vantage point, sheltered from the strong winds up there. Returning to the valley, in the late afternoon, pass by the main lake to admire the play of light and shadow on the water's surface, where turtles swim undisturbed. Take a breather and feast your eyes on the idyllic scene that the Sambughetti-Campanito reserve offers you as a reward. In total, you'll have covered almost ten kilometers, both uphill and downhill, but if you haven't run too fast and have enjoyed the scenery, you'll still have enough energy left for a stroll through Nicosia, one of Sicily's most beautiful towns, where, among other things, you can sample a superb ricotta cannoli. The song "Venkatesananda" is by Jesse Gallagher and is available in the YouTube Audio Library.