SI V03

A medium-length stage with a slight elevation change, offering notable cultural and scenic interest in the areas of Custonaci and San Vito Lo Capo, crossing the Monte Cofano Nature Reserve, which is partially closed indefinitely. Starting from the Sanctuary of Maria SS. di Custonaci (180 m), we proceed for a short stretch along via Dante Alighieri until we reach Portella del Cerriolo (158 m) and the namesake Park. After crossing the portella, we continue downhill on an old mule track, characterized by picturesque caves and shelters. After traveling 1.3 km, we reach the village of Scurati and the Grotta Mangiapane (56 m): one of the most significant caves in the Trapani area, about 70 m high and 50 m deep, inhabited by humans since the Upper Paleolithic and until the early 1950s by the Mangiapane family. The stage continues northward towards Monte Cofano to reach the junction with via della Grotta. Considering the temporary closure of the Reserve, we climb right on the path towards the saddle until reaching Gorgo Cofano, a small wet depression of karst origin (253 m). We continue eastward downhill until we intercept the “maruzza” stairway path, named for the natural shrine with a statuette of the Lord, after which we arrive at the plain of Tuono. We walk along the coast on natural terrain heading northeast towards Macari, traversing the entire Gulf of Macari and the sandy bay of Santa Margherita. The environment is characterized by striking visual references that can encompass with a glance the southwest slope with Monte Cofano (659 m), the southeast slope with the hill group of Rocche del Tuono (523 m), Monte Palatimone (595 m), Monte Speziale (908 m), Monte Passo del Lupo (866 m), and Pizzo Castelluzzo (338 m), the northeast slope with the cliff of Piana di Sopra and Monte Monaco (500 m), and finally the northwest slope facing the horizon of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The landscape is predominantly covered with meadows and Mediterranean scrub, creating a natural amphitheater of continuity between land and sea with spectacular beauty in the Gulf of Cofano.