Nature Reserves around Ragusa


There a quite a few reserves in this area mainly around river estuaries.  Our first visit was to the Randello Forestry Commission site. A gentle stroll through pines and eucalyptus trees which ended up a foraging expedition as the wild asparagus was ready for picking.  The wild orchids were on display deep within the woods. 

The Irminio reserve along the coast had been altered by winter storms and wild boar since our earlier visit in February.  The Irminio river had swept large willow trees into the sea and onto the beach together with clumps of bamboo which were now struggling to survive in the salt water.




Our last nature walk was within the Pino d'Aleppo Riserva Naturale Orientata, which follows the course of the Ippari river.  The river valley is broad with many orange and lemon groves.  On the way to the start of the walk we passed an old Mulino do risu (Rice Mill).  There were no signs showing any of the walks in our book but plently of privado signs.  Fortunately Rob asked one of the farmers who allowed us to park the scooter on his land and walk through his orange grove up onto the hillside.  The area was covered with Allepo Pines which have very twisted trunks and the ability to root into the bedrock of limestone.







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