Planning an holiday in Sicily and wondering which sports you could enjoy with your family?

While the south boasts windsurfing havens like Puzzi Teddu, the north offers stunning coastal trails perfect for family hikes. We spent our first 5 days in San Vito Lo Capo, exploring the north’s hiking trails, before heading south to Mazara del Vallo for some windsurfing at Puzzi Teddu.

This post focuses on the incredible family-friendly hikes we conquered with our little one in a framed backpack around San Vito Lo Capo.

This beautiful nature reserve lies just 20 minutes from San Vito Lo Capo. Be aware, it’s a local favorite, so weekends can get crowded. Weekdays and early mornings (opens at 8 am) are ideal, especially with a young child. Even in May, the heat can be intense, so plan accordingly.

There are two entrances: north near San Vito Lo Capo and south near Scopello. We entered from San Vito Lo Capo for convenience. The reserve offers various routes. The coastal path takes about 2 hours one way, while inland routes range from 4-7 hours.

Given our little one’s age and energy, we opted for a 40-minute trek to Cala dell’Uzzo. An even shorter option is the Cala Tonnerella dell’Uzzo, just 10 minutes from the park entrance.

The trails are amazing! Lush greenery surrounds you – little palms, fragrant yellow flowers, and rosemary bushes. While easy, they’re not stroller-friendly; a baby carrier or a backpack is essential.

Cala dell’Uzzo offers some shade under rocks and a nearby cave with ample tree cover – perfect for escaping the midday heat during a full-day stay. Remember, the park is wild and lacks cafes or restaurants, so pack enough water and snacks.

Despite the 2020 fire, the park’s lushness truly impressed me. The crystal-clear Sicilian sea with its vibrant colors is always a sight to behold. The water was cold, but the beauty enticed us all in for a quick swim, even our 8-month-old Edo, who didn’t seem to mind! After our swim, we enjoyed a refreshing local orange and some fun pebble games on the beach.

2. Family Hiking at the Monte Cofano Nature Reserve

With its distinctive profile, Monte Cofano is a landmark for the charming town of San Vito Lo Capo nestled on its slopes. This nature reserve, wilder and less frequented than the Zingaro Reserve, is nonetheless worth exploring.

The reserve offers a variety of trekking trails, including challenging hikes to the summit of Monte Cofano. We began our exploration from the Custonaci entrance, allowing us to visit the nearby western beaches. An eastern entrance is also available, just 15 minutes from San Vito Lo Capo.

Parking near the reserve entrance, we embarked on a short, 30-minute trek towards a panoramic lighthouse. The landscape captivated me: dwarf palms growing amidst the rocks overlooking the sea, vibrant yellow wildflowers, and the striking colors of medicinal sea plants. We even encountered a few wild cows grazing on a small patch of greenery between the rocks, right by the beach. Reaching the lighthouse, we paused to take in the breathtaking scenery and savor the fresh sea air.

After our trek, we cooled off with a swim at the beach near the park entrance. Though the water wasn’t warm, our little one enjoyed splashing around in his swimsuit. We limited our exploration due to plans for windsurfing further south, but there are many other trekking opportunities and natural experiences available near San Vito Lo Capo.

Beyond Hiking

Exploring the nature around San Vito Lo Capo with our child was a delightful experience.

The post-trekking feast of Sicilian cuisine was another highlight! From cannoli and granita to pani ca meusa and arancini, the flavors were simply divine. I always marvel at how even a simple tomato here bursts with flavor, perhaps a result of the abundant sunshine.

To sum up, Sicily isn’t just for grown-up adventurers! Lace up those tiny hiking boots (or snuggle them into a comfy carrier) because Sicily’s got hidden trails waiting to be explored by little legs and curious eyes!