National park · Italy
Monte Cofano Nature ReserveRiserva Naturale Orientata Monte Cofano
Go for one half-day: walk the coastal loop from Cornino to Macari (about 10 km, 2–3 h) or climb to the 659 m summit (4–5 h) before 10:00 in summer; entry is free, parking is the only cost, and there is no water inside.Go for one half-day: walk the coastal loop from Cornino to Macari (about 10 km, 2–3 h) or climb to the 659 m summit (4–5 h) before 10:00 AM in summer; entry is free, parking is the only cost, and there is no water inside.Go for one half-day: walk the coastal loop from Cornino to Macari (about 6.2 mi, 2–3 h) or climb to the 659 m summit (4–5 h) before 10:00 in summer; entry is free, parking is the only cost, and there is no water inside.Go for one half-day: walk the coastal loop from Cornino to Macari (about 6.2 mi, 2–3 h) or climb to the 659 m summit (4–5 h) before 10:00 AM in summer; entry is free, parking is the only cost, and there is no water inside.
Map to the park
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Area
5 km²2 sq mi
approximate
Established
1997
Best months
Mar–May, Oct
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Italy and Malta ↗The region's headline sights run on timed tickets that sell out: book the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, the Uffizi, the Last Supper and Malta's Hypogeum before you fix train and hotel dates.
- Italy and Malta ↗Budget for per-night city taxes in Italy (up to about €10 a person in Rome), Malta's per-night environmental contribution, and Venice's day-visitor fee on peak days; none are included in most online room prices.
- Italy ↗Italy is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Italy ↗Historic centres are ZTL limited-traffic zones: cameras fine any unauthorised car that enters, often months later through the hire company. Park outside and walk in.
- Italy ↗Regional train tickets bought on paper must be validated in the machine on the platform before boarding; digital tickets carry a time and need no stamping.
- Italy ↗Venice charges day-visitors an access fee on selected peak days; check the city's official site if you are not sleeping there.
At a glance
- Country
- Italy
- Area
- 5 km²2 sq mi
- 537.5 hectares (about 5.4 km²) by regional decree; the reserve is small and walked entirely on foot.
- Established
- 1997
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Monte Cofano is a small regional reserve on the Trapani coast: 537.5 hectares of limestone, scrub and cliff, with the 659 m peak rising straight from the sea. There are no roads and no ticket gate reported, so the visit is a walk — the 10 km coastal loop from Cornino to Macari in half a day, or the steep 7–8 km climb to the summit cross and the ruins of a 15th-century guard post. Two 16th-century watchtowers, karst caves and the Grotta Mangiapane cave-hamlet sit at or near the trailheads. It is the quieter, cheaper counterpart to the Zingaro reserve 40 km east, and it works as a half-day from Trapani, Erice or San Vito lo Capo. Carry all your water: there are no fountains, vendors or bins inside.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1997Regional Nature Reserve (Riserva Naturale Orientata) under Sicilian regional decree.
- UNESCO Biosphere ReservePart of the Natura 2000 network as a protected coastal site (check the exact site code).
Size and age
5 km²2 sq mi · national park since 1997
537.5 hectares (about 5.4 km²) by regional decree; the reserve is small and walked entirely on foot.
Why go
- A limestone peak that drops straight into the Tyrrhenian Sea, with a coastal path most visitors walk in half a day.
- Free entry and no roads inside: the reserve is trails, scrub, cliffs and coves only.
- 16th-century watchtowers, karst caves and a prehistoric cave-hamlet at the gate.
- A quieter alternative to the Zingaro reserve, 40 km east along the same coast.A quieter alternative to the Zingaro reserve, 25 mi east along the same coast.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, green after rain; some paths muddy
- FebMild; wildflowers start on the lower slopes
- MarMild, clear; scrub in flower
- AprWarm and dry; best all-round walking
- MayWarm; swimming starts, crowds build
- JunHot by 11:00; start early, carry 2 LHot by 11:00 AM; start early, carry 2 L
- JulPeak heat and Italian holiday crowds
- AugHottest and busiest; summit is exposed
- SepStill hot early; sea warm, crowds thin
- OctDry, clear and comfortable
- NovCooler; rain returns, paths slippery
- DecQuiet; short daylight, some closures (check)
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonelli's eagle and peregrine falcons (nesting raptors)Mar–Jun · Cliff nesters; keep to trails and do not approach nesting ledges. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Kestrels, owls and songbirdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Dwarf palm, wild thyme and mastic in flowerMar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Reptiles and small mammals on warm pathsApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Trapani
Drive via SS 187 toward Custonaci and Cornino; park at the Cornino trailhead.
25–30 min
From Trapani by bus
AST bus to Custonaci (45–50 min), then a taxi or a 30–40 min walk to the trailhead.
1.5 h total
From Palermo
A29 to the Castellammare del Golfo exit, then SS 187 west to Custonaci and Cornino.
1.5–2 h
From San Vito lo Capo
Drive south through Castelluzzo and Macari to the eastern trailhead.
20–25 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cornino side (west) | Main trailhead, parking, Spiaggia Agliareddi and the Grotta Mangiapane cave-hamlet. | Open on foot; no ticket reported. |
| Coastal strip | The Sentiero del Mare loop past Torre San Giovanni, Cala Tonnara and the sea caves. | Open on foot; rocky and exposed. |
| Summit and ridges | The 659 m peak with a cross and the ruins of a small 15th-century guard building and cistern. | Open on foot; steep, marked with occasional paint. |
| Macari side (east) | Second trailhead near Castelluzzo/Macari, with loop and inland routes. | Open on foot; parking by the road. |
Sketch map
- 1Cornino trailhead (west) · Gate≈38.093, 12.662Parking and start of the coastal trail near Spiaggia Agliareddi.Map ↗
- 2Grotta Mangiapane · Cave≈38.094, 12.672Map ↗
- 3Torre San Giovanni · Viewpoint≈38.110, 12.65916th-century watchtower on a rocky promontory.Map ↗
- 4Cala Macarese · Beach≈38.105, 12.658Map ↗
- 5Monte Cofano summit · Summit≈38.105, 12.669659 m, with a cross and the ruins of a small 15th-century building and cistern.Map ↗
- 6Cala Tonnara del Cofano · Beach≈38.113, 12.681Map ↗
- 7Spiaggia di Torre Tono · Beach≈38.110, 12.680Map ↗
- 8Eastern trailhead (Castelluzzo/Macari) · Gate≈38.105, 12.692Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry to the reserve | Free | person | No ticket gate is reported for this regional reserve; confirm locally before you go (check). |
| Parking at Cornino (western/eastern trailheads) | EUR 0–5 | car | 2026 estimate; informal roadside and village parking, some free, some paid in season (check). |
| Guided trek (full day, per person) | EUR 40–90 | person | 2026 estimate; local operators run guided coastal and summit walks. |
| Grotta Mangiapane folk museum (at the gate, outside the reserve) | EUR 0–5 | person | 2026 estimate; small admission may apply (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Reserve entry no permit
Guided trek no permit
Horseback riding permit or guide
Park rules
- Bicycles
- Not allowed on the trails inside the reserve; marked cycling routes run around it, outside the boundary.
- Stay on marked trails
- The reserve is karst and cliff-edged; shortcuts damage scrub and cross unstable ground.
- No water or food inside
- There are no fountains, vendors or bins; carry 1.5–2 L per person and pack out all rubbish.
- No camping
- No campsites or public facilities inside the reserve; sleep in Cornino, Custonaci, Macari or Trapani.
- Fires
- Not allowed; summer fire risk on the scrub is high.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the reserve authority (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Cornino
Seaside cafes, minimarkets and guesthouses minutes from the western trailhead.
Near the park
Custonaci
Inland town with bakeries, supermarkets and the bus link to Trapani.
Near the park
Macari and Castelluzzo
Small shops and restaurants on the SP16, close to the eastern entrance.
Near the park
Trapani
Full range of hotels and B&Bs, 25–30 min by car; the usual base for a day trip.
Safety
Heat and no shade high
Loose rock and steep footing medium
No phone signal medium
Unmonitored swimming medium
Accessibility
- The Cornino trailhead area, the beach at Spiaggia Agliareddi and the Grotta Mangiapane site are reachable by car with short, mostly level walks.
- The coastal loop and the summit trail are rocky and steep in places; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out everything you bring in; there are no bins anywhere in the reserve.
- Keep to marked trails to protect dwarf palm, thyme and nesting cliffs.
- Refill water bottles in Cornino or Custonaci instead of buying new ones.
- Do not approach or photograph raptor nests; spring is nesting season.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Monte Cofano Nature Reserve?
Entry is reported as free: there is no ticket gate, and the only likely cost is parking near the Cornino or Macari trailheads (2026 estimate, some free, some paid in season). Confirm locally before you go (check). Guided treks, if you want one, run about €40–90 per person.
What are the best hikes in Monte Cofano Nature Reserve?
The Coastal Trail (Sentiero del Mare) is the classic: about 10 km and 2–3 h from Cornino to Macari past Torre San Giovanni and Cala Tonnara. The Summit Trail (Sentiero della Scaletta) is 7–8 km round trip and 4–5 h to the 659 m cross. The Grand Loop plus summit combines both in 11–12 km and about 5 h.
When is the best time to visit Monte Cofano Nature Reserve?
March to May and October are best: mild, dry and clear. July and August are the worst for walking — peak heat, no shade and the busiest beaches. Winter is quiet and green but paths can be muddy and daylight is short.
Do I need a guide to walk Monte Cofano?
No. Both trailheads are open and the routes are marked, though paint marks on the summit route are sparse. A guide is optional and useful if you want the full traverse with commentary.
Is there water or food in the reserve?
No. There are no fountains, cafes or bins inside. Bring 1.5–2 L of water per person and all your food, and refill in Cornino, Custonaci or Macari before you start.
Can I swim at Monte Cofano?
Yes, at coves such as Cala Tonnara, Spiaggia di Torre Tono and Cala Macarese. They are unmonitored, with pebbly or rocky entries and sudden depth changes, so swim only if you are confident in open water.
Can I drive or cycle inside the reserve?
No. There are no roads inside and bicycles are not allowed on the trails. Marked cycling routes run around the reserve, outside the boundary.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go