Capo Gallo Reserve: Trails and Excursions

The Capo Gallo Nature Reserve is a protected area located within the municipality of Palermo.

It is an oasis of about 600 hectares that mainly extends over Mount Gallo and its promontory that descends to the sea and separates the two bays that face the Sicilian capital: Mondello and Sferracavallo.

The Capo Gallo Reserve - as mentioned - is part of the territory of Palermo and is the second protected natural area after that of Monte Pellegrino.

The stretch of sea connecting Capo Gallo and the nearby Island of Femmine is also a protected oasis, declared a marine reserve known as the Capo Gallo Marine Protected Area - Isola delle Femmine.

There are 3 different access points to the Capo Gallo Reserve.

The first, located to the east of the oasis, starts at the Torre di Mondello; the second, from the west, begins at Contrada Barcarello in Sferracavallo; from the south, there is a municipal road that starts behind Partanna-Mondello and runs along Pizzo Sella, from which you can reach up to an elevation of 527, at the so-called Semaforo, a military lookout point with a spectacular view.

There are several excursions that can be taken within the natural reserve of Palermo, traversing the numerous trails that wind through it, allowing exploration of the area, while observing the local flora and fauna, and enjoying breathtaking views of both Palermo and its surroundings.

One of the best trails in the Capo Gallo Reserve is called "Piano dello Stinco". It is a route of about 3 kilometers that takes about two hours to complete and has a medium difficulty level.

The starting point is marked at a forest gate located on Via Tolomea. You will cross a coniferous forest, pass by the ruins of Torre Amari, and then reach Piano dello Stinco, amidst rich and picturesque vegetation.

Another interesting trail leads to the so-called "Semaforo", a military lookout point from where you can "look down on" all of Palermo.

The path has a medium-low difficulty, is approximately half a kilometer long, and takes about 30 minutes to walk, starting from a fork in the trail called number 1.

Once you reach the Semaforo, you can enjoy the panoramic view and visit the building, which is adorned with mosaics depicting a hermit.

Hiking enthusiasts can also tackle the "Bauso Rosso" trail, one of the most beautiful in the Capo Gallo Reserve.

The trail is about 1.2 kilometers long and takes just over an hour to complete. The starting point is just after the gate of trail number 1, among a wooded valley of pines, cypress, and eucalyptus, along with the distinctive limestone rocks typical of this area.

This trail intersects with the "Piano dello Stinco" trail, allowing you to complete both in a single hike.

For more experienced trekkers, there is the trail called "Coda di Volpe", a route of about 2 kilometers that can be completed in an hour of challenging walking.

The trail is quite winding and leads to Mondello.