Wild Flavors & Winding Trails: A Food & Nature Lover’s Guide to Sicily’s Nebrodi Region
Curated By
Marissa Clark
Curator’s statement
Tucked into Sicily’s wild, untamed northeast, the Nebrodi Mountains are the island’s secret heart—a place where ancient forests, crystal lakes, and honest food still define daily life. Here, shepherds make cheese the way their great-grandparents did, and farmers tend black pigs that roam freely beneath oak trees. The hills echo with the hum of beehives and the scent of wild herbs that flavor Nebrodi salumi and local wines. I love this region for its balance—a landscape that feels lost to time, yet only 90 minutes from Mount Etna’s volcanic slopes and two hours from Taormina’s coastal glamour. The Nebrodi are for travelers who crave authenticity: misty hikes and vineyard tastings, rustic meals by a roaring fire, and that rare feeling that you’ve stumbled onto Sicily before it was discovered.
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Things to do in the Nebrodi region
Harvesting olives in Sicily; photo taken by Marissa Clark
1. Explore Nebrodi Regional Park
Sicily’s largest natural reserve, stretching from San Fratello to Cesarò. The park is dotted with beech forests, crystal-clear lakes, and wildlife—wild boar, black pigs, and soaring eagles.
Insider tip: The best way to explore is by rental car—buses are rare, and winding mountain roads reward confident drivers. A small automatic works best on the switchbacks.
2. Hike to Lago Maulazzo & Lago Biviere di Cesarò
These twin lakes shimmer in the high forest, surrounded by oaks and wildflowers. Early morning hikes often mean mist rising off the water—perfect for photography and birdwatching.
3. Mountain biking
Cyclists can follow scenic ridgeline trails like the Monte Soro Loop or Serra del Re.
Insider tip: Spring and fall are ideal—summer heat and limited shade can make the climbs intense.
4. Quad & Jeep adventures
Join off-road excursions through forest tracks and remote grazing lands—great fun for small groups or families.
Insider tip: Morning tours offer the best lighting and cooler temperatures, plus a stop for espresso at a mountain rifugio.
5. Visit local cheese makers
The Nebrodi is cheese heaven—think buttery Provola dei Nebrodi and fresh ricotta eaten warm. Visit working fattorie where shepherds will happily let you taste their daily batch on hot bread with local honey.
Insider tip: Ask me how to arrange a private visit—these farms rarely advertise but love hosting travelers genuinely interested in their craft.
6. Pistachio farm tours & tastings in Bronte
Bronte’s pistachios are nicknamed “Sicily’s green gold.” Stop for creamy gelato and handmade pastries or book a tasting for all things pistachio.
Insider tip: The best time to visit is late September through early October during the Sagra del Pistacchio, when Bronte turns into one big pistachio-themed street fair.
7. Olive oil harvest & tasting
In autumn, some farms invite visitors to join the olive harvest and taste oil straight from the press.
Insider tip: Go in early November for peak harvest; the fresh-pressed "new oil" has an electric green color and peppery bite that fades after just a few weeks.
8. Seasonal festivals worth timing for
Bronte Pistachio Festival (October): Sicily’s sweetest culinary celebration.
Cesarò Black Pig & Porcini Festival (November): Mountainside grills, porcini markets, and music.
San Fratello “Festa dei Giudei” (Easter Week): One of Sicily’s oldest Holy Week processions; locals in red masks perform theatrical parades through the town.
Randazzo “Palio di San Martino” (November): Medieval games, food stalls, and wine competitions celebrating the harvest.
9. Etna wine country
Etna’s volcanic slopes (Etna Nord area) are home to some of Sicily’s best wineries. Tastings pair the minerality of Nerello Mascalese and Carricante with dramatic views of the volcano.
Places to eat & drink in the Nebrodi region
Fireside dining at Relais Villa Miraglia, Cesaro; photo by Marissa Clark
Relais Villa Miraglia, Cesarò
The restaurant, led by Chef Gianluca Barbagallo, serves refined Nebrodi cuisine—think handmade pasta with porcini, slow-roasted black pig, and wild herb sauces. Reserve a table by the fireplace—locals drive up the mountain just for dinner here, and it fills fast on weekends.
Gennarino's Bistro, Bronte
All things pistachio, from appetizers to desserts and liqueurs. Chef Nino will even do an entire pistachio tasting if you book it ahead of time.
Pasticceria Siciliana Ragonese, Cesarò
Classic Sicilian pastries; great for morning coffee.
Ristorante Dodici Fontane at Villa Neri Resort & Spa, Linguaglossa
Michelin Guide–recognized; elevated Sicilian cuisine paired with Etna DOC wines.
Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa Restaurant, Castiglione di Sicilia
Refined regional dishes with views of Etna and the vineyards.
Need to know
The Nebrodi Region isn't about checking boxes—it's about slowing down and savoring. Rent a car, wander without a plan, and follow the scent of woodsmoke or fresh bread to your next discovery. Come in autumn for olive and pistachio harvests, in spring for wildflowers and baby lambs, or in winter to sip red wine by a roaring fire. The Nebrodi aren’t polished—they’re perfect that way.
Travel Advisor
Marissa Clark
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