Explore the Piano Cervi Nature Trail in Polizzi Generosa, a hidden gem in the heart of the Madonie Mountains.
Easily reached from S.P. 119 in the direction of Piano Battaglia, this route offers an extraordinary immersion in Sicilian biodiversity. After a short walk from the Portella Colla crossroads, you will find yourself immersed in a gentle descent that leads to a gate of the Regional Forestry Authority. Along this stretch, nature lovers can admire the basilisk (Cachris ferulacea), the white gold of the Madonie, an emblematic plant that flowers in spring and gives birth to the famous basilisk mushroom (Pleurotus nebrodensis), a delicacy of Madonita cuisine. Passing through the gate via a stone staircase, the path winds its way through a landscape of beech, maple, oak, hawthorn, dog rose and holly. Along the path, you can observe Astragalus nebrodensis, an endemic species that grows along the edges of the path. The climb continues to the slopes of Cozzo Piombino, where you will find a rustic forest house and a plantation of Abies nebrodensis, planted by the Azienda Foreste in the 1970s. The trail rises to an altitude of 1530 metres, reaching the Deer Plateau, surrounded by a dense beech forest. Further on, at an altitude of 1600 metres, you will find 'u pagghiaru', a traditional structure once used as a shelter by shepherds and woodcutters. For more experienced hikers, the route extends to Valle Giumenta and Nipitalvia herd, offering breathtaking panoramic views and a unique experience. This trail is not only a wonderful opportunity for trekking and nature lovers, but also a cultural immersion in Sicilian tradition.
