Europe Explored » carbonate rocks https://europeexplored.com Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 Monte Cofano Nature Reserve – breathtaking area in Sicily, Italy https://europeexplored.com/2011/06/13/monte-cofano-nature-reserve-breathtaking-area-in-sicily-italy/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/06/13/monte-cofano-nature-reserve-breathtaking-area-in-sicily-italy/#comments Mon, 13 Jun 2011 14:09:46 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=4466 Monte Cofano is a mountainous limestone promontory, with a characteristic triangular shape situated at an altitude of 659 meters. It is located on the coast of the province of Trapani, between San Vito Lo Capo and Bonagia. The whole area covers 537.5 hectares and includes also small seasonal wetlands, a torrential ravine and several karst […]

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]]> Monte Cofano is a mountainous limestone promontory, with a characteristic triangular shape situated at an altitude of 659 meters. It is located on the coast of the province of Trapani, between San Vito Lo Capo and Bonagia. The whole area covers 537.5 hectares and includes also small seasonal wetlands, a torrential ravine and several karst landforms which are remodelled limestone by water, both on surface (dolines and sinkholes) and inside (caves).

Monte Cofano Nature Reserve (La Riserva naturale orientata Monte Cofano) offers to Sicilian visitors an unspoilt beauty and presents a significant value for natural and anthropological features.


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The mountain is formed by a combination of dolomite, carbonate rocks that are the oldest outcrops in the province and date back to the Triassic, about 200 million years ago. They are separated from neighboring area Gnarosa Marcato by a small saddle. You can follow the marked trail starting from the beach Cala Buguto that leads all around the perimeter of the mountain. From the top of the mountain you can enjoy a splendid view of the coastline.

There are many signs of human presence in this area since prehistoric times as evidenced by the graffiti and stone tools which were found in caves Miceli, Buffa, del Crocefisso and Mangiapane.

In June 1991 the area was declared a nature reserve.


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