The coastal loop of Monte Cofano
A loop around the Monte Cofano headland, which rises sheer from the sea to 659 metres: a coastal path between two towers, a cave chapel and glimpses of the Egadi Islands, then the return over the Gorgo Cofano saddle.
- Difficulty
- E Hiking
- Length
- 7.8 km
- Elevation gain
- +250 m / −250 m
- Time
- 2.5–3 hours
- Route
- Loop
- Altitude
- 0–261 m
- Season
- Spring Autumn Winter
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The story
The trail is number 607 of the regional Sicily Trekking Tour network, inside the Monte Cofano nature reserve. Along the coast you pass the tower of San Giovanni, the Grotta del Crocifisso with its little chapel, traces going back to prehistory, and the tower of the Tonnara di Cofano, a Spanish-era fortification that watched over the tuna fishery and the coast against pirates.
Why go
Because it is the less famous sister of the Zingaro: the same wild coast, far fewer people, and a swim at Cornino at the end.
Practical information
- Start
- Cornino (Custonaci), southern entrance to the reserve near Cala Buguto
- Finish
- Cornino, closing the loop from the Gorgo Cofano saddle
- Best time
- October–May; in summer only at dawn
- Parking
- In Cornino, near the beach and the reserve entrance.
- By public transport
- You need a car: Cornino is a hamlet of Custonaci, about 25 km from Trapani.
- Water
- No springs: bring at least a litre and a half, two in summer.
- Shade
- Almost none: low scrub and rock.
- Huts and refreshments
- None; bars and restaurants in Cornino.
- With children
- Yes, with children used to walking: an almost flat coastal stretch, then a short climb to the saddle.
Weather at the start
The forecast for the next 7 days at this spot: sky, temperatures, rain and wind.
Forecast by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), from the models of national weather services. Your browser downloads it directly from Open-Meteo, and only when you ask. In the mountains and at sea the weather changes quickly: check the official forecast as well before you set off.
What to see on the route and nearby
More hikes in Sicily
- 1Gran Cratere of VulcanoE 4.7 km · +260 m · 2–2.5 hours · out and back
- 2From Sortino to the necropolis of PantalicaE 3.9 km · +130 m · 1.5–2 hours · point to point
- 4The Rocca of Cefalù and the Temple of DianaT 1.8 km · +170 m · 1.5–2 hours round trip, including the visit · out and back
Routes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), via Waymarked Trails and BRouter; elevations from a digital terrain model. Times and elevation gains are indicative: waymarks on the ground and closure orders always take precedence.