Trekking in Sicily: hiking around Mount Cofano

Did you know there's an oceanfront trail wrapping around the imposing Mount Cofano?

One of Sicily's true hidden gems hiding in plain sight.

It's impossible to miss its striking silhouette if you visit western Sicily, but surprisingly few people make it all the way to its base.

We felt an almost magnetic pull the very first time we spotted it from the Quartiere Spagnolo in Erice.

We simply couldn't leave Sicily without getting up close to it.

We saved it for our last day, and what we found completely blew us away. 😉

Hiking around Mount Cofano

Technical details

Difficulty: Easy.
Distance: 8.2 km (round trip).
Elevation gain: 20 m.
Hiking time: 3 hours.
Starting point: Monte Cofano beach parking lot.
Turnaround point: Tonnara del Cofano.
End point: Monte Cofano beach parking lot.
Date completed (photos): April, 2014.

The hiking route

View of the Sicilian coast from the trail around Mount Cofano.

After leaving your car in the parking lot north of Monte Cofano beach (marked on the map at the end of this post), follow the coastal road until you see the regional park signs marking the trailhead.

From there on, you can't get lost! Just follow the trail running parallel to the sea.

Along the way, you'll come across:

Small paths leading to "rocky beaches".
The Torre del Cofano.
The so-called Grotta del Crocifisso.
The Tonnara del Cofano tower.
Wildflowers, buzzing insects, and little lizards everywhere.
And above all, jaw-dropping views.

The trail continues past the Tonnara del Cofano tower all the way to the coves facing Castelluzzo and Macari.

Tower of the Tonnara di Monte Cofano, Sicily.

However, since we hadn't packed any lunch, we turned back to the car once we reached this point to find a bite to eat before it got too late.

We were lucky enough to snag an outdoor table at the restaurant at Hotel Il Cortile.

We got a bit confused by the menu (my Italian was still pretty rusty!), but I remember the place was absolutely charming.

Wrinkled flower on the trail around Mount Cofano

What to bring

Food: If you don't want to end up like us, remember to pack sandwiches, fruit, nuts, and snacks in your backpack…
Water: Bring at least 1 liter of water per person (make it 1.5 liters in the peak of summer).
A trash bag: To pack out all your waste. Please don't leave any trash behind in this paradise!
Sun protection: Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses… the usual essentials.
Comfortable footwear: Hiking boots or, at the very least, sturdy sneakers with good grip.

Planning to swim or sunbathe? Don't forget your swimwear and a pair of water shoes. Getting into the water without them will be really tough (if not impossible).

Things to see nearby

Macari Beach

To wrap up the day, we drove over to Macari Beach to wander along this rocky coast packed with scenic coves.

A storm was rolling in from the east, so jumping in the water was definitely off the table.

Still, even under a moody gray sky, the contrasting colors of this coastline were irresistible, to say the least. 😉

Where to sleep

San Vito Lo Capo

When I was in Sicily for work in 2016, I spent a couple of nights at Villa Relais Le Nereidi, just outside San Vito lo Capo—the last town you pass through before reaching the Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro.

Even though the town gets super touristy in summer, this hotel is pretty peaceful, featuring a pool, terrace, and gardens where you can unwind.

Ruins in bloom next to the Tonnara di Monte Cofano, Sicily

Plus, it's tucked away on a residential street where it's really easy to find parking.

Any downsides? Maybe the fact that it's a 20-minute walk from the town center (uphill walk included).

But that's precisely what makes it such an idyllic spot.

In high season, it costs around €70 – €80 per person per night in a double room, but on weekdays in late September, you can stay there for around €50 a night (give or take).

Rocky coast seen from the trek around Mount Cofano

Trapani

Another great option is Villa Delle Palme Delfina, which was our base camp for a week back in 2014.

It's a gorgeous B&B on the outskirts of Trapani, super well-kept and comfortable.

In our case, we enjoyed a private terrace area right next to our room, and they even gifted us a photo book of the area and a bottle of Sicilian wine that was absolutely delicious.

On top of that, the breakfast included in the price was spectacular. They didn't miss a single detail.

Sunset over Erice at Villa delle Palme Delfina.

The only minor downside (if we had to name one) was that kitchen noises woke us up earlier than we would have liked in the morning, and breakfast was served around a huge round table with all the other guests and Antonio, our host.

If you're the type who likes waking up slowly without making small talk, you might want to time it so you go down once everyone else is done (we did that a couple of times to enjoy a quieter breakfast).

We spent 7 nights there for €541 in a double room (€77/night, €39 per person).