Levanzo trekking: from the country to the Grotta del Genovese

This year in late April, thanks to WWF western Sicily of which I am proudly part, I participated in a hike of Levanzo trek that included among other things a visit to Grotta del Genovese.

This post tells you about the walk from the village to the junction for the fantastic Paleolithic cave.

The path in pale red of the trekking done

We chose late spring because Levanzo, like all the Egadi, It offers the blooms of MEDITERRANEAN, typical of the islands endemics, and big terse and contrasting views, things that at other times of the year are particularly difficult, which may arise.

It starts with the first hydrofoil from Trapani in the morning and arrived at the port of Levanzo welcomes us the extraordinary Peppe Pisciotta Palermo a doc who chose to move here and open a diving activities among the most appreciated of the archipelago, Atmosphere Blu, We will accompany us throughout the tour. We were also greeted by the staff of’Marine Protected Area Aegadian and in particular from marine biologist Martina Gaglioti that he explained to us on the way the environment and biodiversity that offers this corner of the Mediterranean fortunately protected by one of the largest marine areas in Europe and the largest in the Mediterranean.

Guarda la gallery del trekking a Levanzo

Cala Dogana is a jewel, a small creek that starts from the marina, which encompasses the whole village and ends in Punta Pesce. The country descends from the mountain above, Lace Monaco comes just 278 mt, the sea completely turned towards the marina, it seems that from anywhere you slide a ball that goes always end up at the marina… but the evidence I have not done but I will when I return 🙂

We walk right away from the marina to the country and take the road which then become the path “Stones called Launched” for the Faraglione. The village by the typical white houses and blue painted shutters give you an immediate feeling of tranquility and unique vision wellbeing, thing at choked cities and towns of our parts is difficult to meet.

The fresh air and the morning dew with the first release into the surrounding sun make all the typical sea and mountain fragrances, pleasantly spicy and richly scented. We set off and we immediately meet Cala Camaro, a narrow and decidedly impervious cove whose jagged coast never ends and will accompany us to the Grotta del Genovese.

Here the view of Favignana it's spectacular, the beautiful clear day and warm makes you want to take photos that will be fantastic but do offer some feelings that cause these views for all the senses: the view with colors of all shades; hearing with the singing of seagulls and the breaking of light waves on the rocks; smell, the more it stimulated by the full essence of the Mediterranean; the sense of touch, touching the endemism and limestone cliffs that give you the feeling of safety and taste… It is the delicate wild garlic taste for example… taste it if you have not ever done, It will surprise !

Starting from Cala Dogana The route starts on the first paved road then dirt up to the Stack is about 1 km, it then becomes a dirt path and rocky uphill to an altitude 70 slm, then passes through a grove of Pini Marini result of a successful reforestation, and continue encountering a tank with sump stormwater bill of ancient but still working. Below we see for the last time on Stack which is a small island in effect, close and reachable from the coast in a few strokes… who has time to do it respecting the rules Area Marina course. Here we are in the protection zone B. The Stack is one of the smaller islands of the Egadi that lends itself to diving to great naturalistic importance marked in underwater guides.

Levanzo trekking. We are in the district Stones Launched. We have done 2 km walk, alternating with fresh Mediterranean groves of pines gladdens the walk. From then until the arrival at the fork to the Cave is all uphill. The path is nice, the path is sometimes easy and sometimes stony and slippery (advice as standard, hiking boots or running with lug soles, a bottle of fresh water, hat and sticks ).

A pair of binoculars even a slight 8×21 it is recommended to identify birds by surprise give that extra pleasure excursion already beautiful in itself and enjoy spectacular vistas that open up along the way.

The turnoff to go down to the caves is at stake 160 above sea level and ends around the path here. The entire route of Levanzo Trekking to date is about 3,2 kilometers and takes in about 2 hours of relaxing journey.

Peppe Pisciotta, Diving Atmosphere Blu

Along the way our friend Peppe Pisciotta told us anecdotes, stories and trivia on the island while Martina Gaglioti explained the natural environmental features that island, along with Favignana and Marettimo, It is an integral part of the AMP Egadi Islands. In particular, it focused on the important and essential presence and protection of grasslands of Posidonia oceanic present in the archipelago seabed.