From the patriarchs of Malabotta to the megaliths of Argimusco

Where the Nebrodi Mountains, the Peloritani Mountains and the Etna region meet, within an exceptional ecological corridor, the magnificent Malabotta Wood has formed over the centuries. The journey itself, setting off in the morning from Linguaglossa after enjoying a gourmet breakfast at the Hotel Shalai, is punctuated by a succession of geological and natural wonders: just before setting off on the walk through this nature reserve, situated in the municipality of Montalbano Elicona, first and foremost, one is met by the sight of gigantic rocks scattered across the Argimusco plateau, situated at an altitude of between 1,165 and 1,230 metres, which stand before one’s eyes like archaeological reminders. Wind, water and the passage of time have sculpted these millennia-old stones, giving them zoomorphic forms. A few hairpin bends, and there it is: the entrance to the Malabotta footpaths. How small and enchanted one feels amongst the ancient giants that inhabit these clayey sediments and limestone rocks! The ancient yet youthful trees stand on the ridges, their trunks sometimes exceeding two metres in diameter and reaching heights of over thirty metres. Across an area of almost eighty hectares, beech, chestnut and numerous holm oaks dominate the botanical landscape, whilst ferns wrap their blanket around fallen trunks. High above, kestrels, peregrine falcons, buzzards, sparrowhawks and even golden eagles soar. At the end of the eight-kilometre circular route, you can choose to visit the Sciaranuova wine estate for a tasting in the cellar and amongst the vineyards where Carricante, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappucci, Pinot Noir and Riesling are grown, Perhaps taking the opportunity to savour the sparkling interplay between the lava terraces and the site-specific contemporary artworks selected in collaboration with the Mario Merz Foundation, including *Fibonacci Sequence*, 2002, and *Ettore Majorana* by Claire Fontaine.