Bosco–Palo–Mustigarufi Itinerary

Bosco–Palo–Mustigarufi Itinerary

Experience: Mines, Nature, History

Route: outdoor, out-and-back

Km: 21,4 (one way only)

Duration: 3 to 5 hours (one way only)

Difficulty: asphalt and dirt

Terrain: asfalto e sterrato

Route suitable: by bicycle

Ascent / Elevation gain: 941

Descent / Elevation loss: 964

2 Minutes of reading

The starting point is in Piazza Umberto I in Serradifalco, on Vicolo Volpe; head right, leaving the square behind you.

Turn left onto Via Iacuzzo and continue along Via delle Miniere until you join the SP46. At the junction, cross straight over the SP154 and take the left-hand path marked “AGRITURISMO – Terra delle Antiche Solfare.” Continue for just over 1 km to reach the agriturismo and the Apaforte mine. From here, follow the path through a small wood for about 1 km, traversing slightly east until the wood ends and you meet another path. Turn left and continue on the trail, which first heads east, then west, narrowing in some sections. It is recommended to download the track to avoid going off route. Near the end of the dirt lane you rejoin a wider road; follow it by turning right. Where there is a small raised crossing for a (likely dry) stream, the road forks: to the left are the geosites of the Bosco and Gessi mines and the San Cataldo mine; to the right the itinerary continues for almost 3 km until you reach the SP33. Go straight on here until the junction for the hamlet of Palo, first on the left.

After visiting the church, make a U-turn and return to the junction; turning left, continue the itinerary on a semi-paved road that initially runs alongside a small wood on your left. Here you’ll find the Palo Mine. Continue on this road for about 2 km, where the sparse asphalt disappears and the road bends sharply left. Go on for about 800 meters and, among the trees on the right, spot a clearly visible path and take it. Keep right along it until you cross the Salto River. From here continue for about 3.5 km, always straight, to the Mustigarufi picnic area; continue for roughly another 3 km to reach the destination at the Mustigarufi State Forest Park.

The stages of the itinerary

 
Remembrance Park - Umberto I
Remembrance Park - Umberto I
The proposal to erect a monument to the Fallen in war dates back to March 17, 1923, signed by the then Mayor, Lawyer Gasparino Cacciatore.
Oriented Nature Reserve Lake Soprano
Oriented Nature Reserve Lake Soprano
Just a short distance from the center of Serradifalco, Lake Soprano – also known as Lake Cuba – is a true treasure chest of biodiversity and a rare example of a wetland environment in inland Sicily.
Apaforte Mine
Apaforte Mine
The Apaforte Mine is one of the oldest documented sulfur mines in Sicily, active since the mid-18th century.
Bosco Mine
Bosco Mine
The Bosco Mine – San Cataldo Section is one of the most significant testimonies of the former mining vocation of central Sicily.
Palo Mine
Palo Mine
The Palo Mine stands on the southern slopes of Mount Sant’Anna and represents one of the most significant testimonies of sulfur extraction in the territory of San Cataldo.
Mustigarufi State Park
Mustigarufi State Park
Ten kilometers from San Cataldo, along the provincial road to Marianopoli, Mustigarufi State Park welcomes visitors with an impressive grove of eucalyptus and pine trees.
 

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