Malabotta Wood Nature Reserve
The Malabotta Wood nature reserve is located in the middle of the mountain ranges of the Peloritani and Nebrodi mountains and falls within the municipalities of Montalbano Elicona, Roccella Valdemone, Malvagna, Francavilla di Sicilia and Tripi.
The reserve has a high degree of excursion in terms of altitude passing from 700 to 1300 meters above sea level. and has a high ecological value, not only for its integrity, but above all for the accentuated environmental diversity. Geomorphologically it boasts an exceptional environmental diversity, ranging from clayey sediments to limestone rocks.
The Malabotta Wood has specimens of centuries-old age, including the centuries-old Roverella, Oak Patriarchs, with trunks over two meters in diameter. The fauna is represented by fox martens, wild boars, weasels, hedgehogs, porcupines, hares and other species. Among the birds we find kestrels, peregrine falcons, buzzards, sparrow hawks.
The Malabotta Wood is located about 3.5 km from Argimusco: the path to reach the Malabotta Wood overlaps with that to reach the Argimusco fortresses.
Inside the forest there are several nature trails, ranging in length from 5 km to 15 km. Among these the most evocative are: the Path of the Patriarchs, the first stretch of a circular route, characterized by centenary relics of oak trees with a trunk of about 2 meters in diameter. During the initial part of the route it is possible to observe the Cerro, an oak that reaches 40 meters in height. the complete circular route is quite long, but you can reach the area of the patriarchs in less than an hour and a half, the path is wide and easy, within everyone's reach, albeit with some slightly steep climbs; and the Path of the Trout, with a stretch along the Licopedi stream, where at certain times of the year it is possible to see trout.
