Riserva Naturale Monte Cofano
A 40-minute drive north of Erice along the SP16, Monte Cofano is one of Sicily's most dramatic nature reserves — a 659-metre limestone monolith that plunges straight into a sea so clear it grades from jade to cobalt within a few strokes of the shore. It is the antidote to every crowded coastal resort on the island.
The Coastal Trail and Its Rewards
The main circular trail (roughly 8 km, 3 hours at an easy pace) hugs the base of the mountain along a rocky coastline of sea stacks, sea caves and tiny pebble coves accessible only on foot. The path passes a 16th-century Spanish watchtower, Torre di Cofano, whose reflection shimmers in the glassy water below.
In spring (April–May) the scrubland explodes with wild thyme, rosemary, euphorbia and the bright yellow of Sicilian spurge. Peregrine falcons nest in the cliff faces and Bonelli's eagles are occasionally spotted riding thermals above the summit.
Swimming and Snorkelling in the Reserve
The coves between Cofano's base and the village of Custonaci hold some of the clearest water in western Sicily. Bring a snorkel mask: the rocky seabed is carpeted with sea urchins, starfish and the occasional octopus in the shallows. There are no beach facilities, so pack everything you need.
The nearest town, Custonaci, is famous for its marble quarries and has a handful of good trattorias where you can recover with pasta con le sarde and a carafe of local white wine after the hike.
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