SI V21

The stage begins near Portella Femmina Morta (1524 m.a.s.l.), a junction with the S.S. 289 S. Fratello - Cesarò. The path runs alongside the paved road and crosses an area adjacent to the beech forest of Monte Soro, where the carbonized areas of many fussuni are clearly visible. After about 2 km, you reach Portella Calacudera on the paved road where it splits: the right branch leads to Monte Soro (1847 m.a.s.l.), the highest peak in the Nebrodi mountain range. The Sentiero Italia, on the other hand, follows the left fork and heads towards Lago Maulazzo (1400 m.a.s.l.), an artificial reservoir of 5 hectares, nestled within the magnificent beech forest of Sollazzo Verde. After passing the lake, follow the main trail and continue downhill, walking through the dense beech forest that occasionally opens up into small grazing clearings. After about 2 km, you encounter a fork (Passo Taverna); continue on the main trail that veers right, crossing the Torrente Cuderi, and after about 4 km, you arrive at Lago Biviere (1278 m.a.s.l.), the largest lake basin in the Nebrodi area. The route circles a wet area near the Biviere and continues uphill, venturing into the beech forest of Scavioli. Subsequently, you'll enter the magnificent Bosco di Mangalaviti, characterized by imposing high-stem beech trees of great natural and scenic value, with wide panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Vallata del Rosmarino, the Rocche del Crasto, and the Tyrrhenian Sea, dotted with the Aeolian Islands. As you traverse these areas, between Portella Balestra (1540 m.a.s.l.) and the Sorgente di Favotorto (1610 m.a.s.l.), the journey becomes particularly interesting, as encounters with various species of small mammals, rodents, insectivores, and carnivores are not uncommon. Arriving at Serra Pignataro (1661 m.a.s.l.), the highest point of this stage, you begin to descend while still following the municipal boundary until reaching Fontanazza, Pizzo Scavello, and Portella di Testa, where you can turn right to reach the stopping point at Case Cartolari-Liperni in about 1 km, or choose to continue with stage 22 towards Floresta.