8 ideas for Nature Walk with kids in Ragusa area

If you’re a nature enthusiast spending a few days in Ragusa with your family, then this article is for you!

This short guide recommends several easy paths near Ragusa that you can do with children. Along some of them, you can even find toilets and refreshment stops.

But let’s begin with a little bit of geography. Ragusa lies in the Hyblean Mountains, which are not actually mountains, but a big limestone plateau carved by many canyons, locally called “cave” (very similar to the so-called “gravine” in Puglia and Matera). 

Tableland trails

1. Cava Ispica (Modica – Ispica)

In this breathtaking canyon connecting Modica with Ispica, there are easy several paths you can consider. If you want to combine culture and nature, you can visit two archaeological sites: the Archaeological Park of Cava Ispica and Parco Forza. Both feature a lush vegetation and some well-marked trails. Those places are perfect for children to play the part of little explorers among the rock-cut monuments of the area. 

For entrance fees and timetable, see here.

Outside of these two parks, there are other trails that are not well marked, for which we recommend going with a nature guide. This way, you can reach, for example, the so-called Sicano Castle, which is a rock settlement, and the nearby prehistoric necropolis of Calicantone, where your children can truly play the role of an archaeologist.

Cava Ispica

2. Parcallario (Buccheri)

In this thrilling adventure park immersed in the enchanting Santa Maria Wood, there are refreshment areas and lots of games! Even though the place is sometimes crowded, your children will definitely have a lot of fun there!

3. Calaforno (Monterosso Almo - Giarratana)

In this lovely forest composed of Aleppo pines and plane trees, you can also admire an archaeological site (a prehistoric hypogeum), an ancient water mill, an aviary with birds, and other animals. There is also an area equipped with tables where you can have a rest.

4. Sentiero di Giarranauti (Pantalica Archaeological area)

This is an easy and well-signed trail in a dense holm oak forest. This area is also rich in amazing archaeological finds: the remains of a Byzantine village dating back to the 6th-8th century AD, Medieval tanneries, and millstones carved into the rock. The place is also ideal for mountain biking.

5. Parco forestale Canalazzo (Monterosso Almo)

It is a long but easy path along the Amerillo stream, which ends at the Dirillo Lake. The pathway is immersed in a pine forest, and you can admire a large fortified building dating back to the 17th century, some old water mills (one of them still working), wooden bridges and two clean and well-kept equipped areas. Mountain bikers, even the less experienced, can do some of these trails. 

There are many other kid-friendly hiking trails among the canyons of Ragusa, so we recommend, however, letting yourself be guided by an expert, such as Cava Misericordia or Cava Celone, where history and nature will leave you breathless. These trails are not well marked, so contact us to have an unforgettable experience. During these trails, you'll undoubtedly encounter animals from our plateau, such as cows, horses, donkeys, or grazing sheep.

 Seaside paths

6. Randello Nature Reserve and its beach (between Punta Braccetto and Scoglitti)

 This is a stunning natural reserve of 157 hectares covered with a pine forest and Mediterranean vegetation. It’s accessible on foot or by bicycle thanks to the several dirt paths inside the wood. 

If you visit Sicily in summer, you can relax in one of the most picturesque sandy beaches in the island, Randello beach, which is located just beyond the high sand dunes separating the vegetation from the sea. It’s a public, free and wild beach, and you can also reach it by car from Punta Braccetto. 

Inside the wood, you will find an area equipped with tables, benches, brick barbecues, and toilets to organize a nice picnic either before or after going for a swim.

Randello Beach

7. Irminio River Nature Reserve (Ragusa)

This is a peaceful protected natural area accessible from the lovely seaside village of Marina di Ragusa. An easy, flat walk will take you through a well-preserved Mediterranean bush area, along the mouth of the Irminio river, up to an enchanting beach characterized by sand dunes and the typical Mediterranean vegetation.

Irminio Nature Reserve

 8. Park of Costa di Carro (Scicli)

This is a four-kilometer path along the coast, between Punta Corvo and Sampieri, during which you can admire stunning sandy and pebbly beaches alternated by rock formations. You can also visit the area with mountain bikes from Sampieri or the Punta Corvo car park. The dune vegetation, amazing views, and color effects created by the sandstone make this an evocative place.

During the hot months, it’s much better to have a walk early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat.