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Aeolian Islands - A walk through the nature reserve

The reserve occupies over half of the island, including the two volcanoes of Monte dei Porri and Fossa delle Felci. The Mediterranean vegetation in this area includes the most typical species: lentiscus, oleaster, arborescent euphorbia, Spanish broom, scented gorse and wormwood bushes. This is also the habitat of a leguminous plant that is endemic to Tyrrhenian coastal regions, Gasperini’s gorse, which brightens the coastline with its yellow blooms in springtime. In those areas where there is a high risk of fires, there are species that are better able to resist the passage of fires, such as erica bushes with bell-shaped flowers, and both the red and white varieties of cistus.

As the altitude gets higher, the vegetation gradually takes on a submountainous appearance. Inside the crater of Monte Fossa there is a vast grove of centuries-old chestnut trees, which were apparently planted there by the Romans as a source of food; inside the crater hollow there are some unusual wild strawberry bushes that have reached the size of trees. Very fit and experienced walkers can begin their excursion from Lingua and make their way up the south-eastern slope of Monte Fossa delle Felci. As you leave Lingua, you take a very narrow flight of steps in the direction of Pizzi di Menavento, passing through terracings, a pine wood, some old abandoned vineyards and walls of tufo: this takes you about two and a half hours. Otherwise, you can take an easier route up the mountain through Valdichiesa, which can be reached by minibus from Malfa and Leni. Once you arrive at the sanctuary of the Madonna del Terzito, you can walk along the forest ranger’s path up the top of the mountain, which should take you about an hour.

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