Natural Environment

Unspoiled places and lovely natural sceneries characterize the Terre Sicane in all their landscapes.

Lake Arancio, LIPU Natural Reserve, whose water is used to irrigate fields, is surrounded by the Risinata Woods, including an area supplied with barbercues, facilities and playground for kids.

Another area of natural relevance is Magaggiaro Woods, where massive oaks create the perfect habitat for the wild local fauna hares, porcupines, rock partridges, woodcocks, crows.

Very interesting from a geological, flora  and fauna point of view is the Natural Reserve of Mount Genuardo and Santa Maria del Bosco. It covers a mostly mountainous area of the territory between Contessa Entellina and Sambuca di Sicilia, providing a large network of footpaths and bike paths.

Further woodlands have been created in order to protect the soil in the nearby areas: San Giovanni, Mount Arancio and Mount Ferriato.

Moving to the coastline one can enjoy a different scenery, untouched in its ecological value: the beaches of Menfi and Sciacca are among the most ravishing in Sicily. The coastal area of Porto Palo di Menfi – the ancient eastern port of Selinunte – stretches for 15 km of very fine sandy beaches and picturesque cliffs. For more than 10 years, it has been awarded with the Blue Flag.

Astonishing in its beauty is the nearby Natural Reserve Foce del Fiume Belìce. Here the herbaceous and shrubbery vegetation, made up of Mediterranean fan palms and wild lilies, covers the sandy dunes gently descending to the sea, full of innumerable species of insects and birds which nest undisturbed here.

The country landscape is characterized by vineyards, olive and citrus trees, many rural buildings – farms, manor houses, mills – witnesses the anthropization process of the countryside and underline the structural features of the local agricultural economy.