Riserva naturale orientata Pantalica, Valle dell'Anapo e Torrente Cava Grande, Nature reserve in eastern Sicily, Italy.
This nature reserve features deep canyons carved by the Anapo River and tributary streams through limestone cliffs across multiple municipalities. The towering gorges create distinct zones where rivers wind through rocky terrain and shape the landscape over many seasons.
The reserve was established in 1997 to protect a landscape containing thousands of rock-cut tombs from prehistoric times carved into the canyon walls. These ancient burial sites mark centuries of human presence in the region.
Local people gather wild herbs and plants from these canyons for traditional Sicilian cooking and natural remedies, a practice that shapes how visitors experience the landscape.
Two marked walking and cycling paths cross through the reserve, following courses of former railway routes that now serve visitors. Visit with sturdy shoes and carry water, as you will navigate rocky terrain and river crossings throughout your walk.
The rivers here shelter rare trout species found nowhere else in Sicily except in this handful of protected locations. These fish thrive in cold mountain waters and signal the health of the entire river system.
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