We arrive on the island and we feel as if we have been catapulted into another world: the white houses with blue shutters, the fishermen's boats swaying on the pristine waters of the marine reserve and then Iui – Pizzo Falcone, the mountain suspended between the sea and the sky . It is precisely he who makes Marettimo what it is: an island not very suitable for comfortable tourism and instead perfect for those who love untamed nature.
After a coffee we begin our walk immersed in the scents of the Mediterranean scrub.
The only road in Marettimo takes us towards its southern tip - Punta Basano - which we can then admire from above. Once we arrive at the cemetery, the road ends and we will begin the climb through the
fragrant pine forest that so characterizes this place. Walking in its shadow we will be able to admire the intense blue of the Mediterranean Sea and feel the sea breeze.
During our excursion we will look for the endemic plants of the island such as the famous Marettimo Thyme, the Flexible Limonium or the Papillary Euphorbia. With a bit of luck we will be able to meet the very agile mouflons or eagles flying over the last mountain of the Sicilian Apennines.
Weather permitting, from the path we will be able to admire the two sisters of Marettimo - the islands of Favignana and Levanzo, the city of Trapani with its Mount Erice, the salt pans and the entire coast of Marsala.
Once we arrive at the Roman Houses, the remains of some Roman and Byzantine buildings that once controlled the sea route between Rome and Carthage, the breathtaking view will repay us for all the effort. Here you can really feel the energy of the past.
Then we slowly descend onto the serpentine track and immerse ourselves in the labyrinth of North African-inspired white cube houses of the island village…
The excursion will be led by Ewa Maria Soczewka – “aigae” environmental hiking guide*.
Technical Notes:
Excursion Difficulty: low
Route Lenght: approx. 7 km
Height Difference: approx. + 260 m/ – 255 m
Route Type: circular on the path, cart track and stone-paved road
Equipment:
Trekking Boots or alternatively sneakers with well-sculpted soles
Clothing suitable for the season (short trousers are also fine)
Rain and windproof jacket
Comfortable backpack
Spare shirt
Possibly trekking poles
Sunscreen
Headgear
Packed Lunch
Water (minimum 2.5 l)
Snacks
Mineral salts
(For the boat : swimsuit, beach towel, sunscreen, hat)
In the event of adverse weather conditions, the excursion may be modified, canceled or postponed to another date. The excursion will take place once a minimum number of participants is reached.
Regulation
Participants are required to respect the timetables, adapt to any changes made by the guide, present themselves with adequate equipment, follow the route without moving away and without overtaking the guide, collaborate with the guide, not collect the plants, keep their waste until special bins, silence the phone.
