The hike begins at the rest area on the slopes of Mount Bonifato, where you will meet your guide and receive an initial introduction to the area.
Before setting off, we will stop for a few minutes to observe the place where we are and the surrounding landscape. The guide will explain why this mountain has been an important location for the Alcamo area throughout the centuries.
From here, we will begin our trekking, gradually entering the natural environment of Mount Bonifato.
Through the landscape, we will try to understand how man has used the resources offered by the environment over time: water, natural shelters, land, vegetation, and fauna.
Prehistory will be the starting point of a journey that will span different historical eras.
Continuing along the route, the focus will be on the archaeological and historical evidence found on the mountain.
Your guide will help you interpret the landscape and the structures we encounter, explaining how the material traces allow us to reconstruct the life of the communities that have inhabited this mountain.
During the route, we will talk about the medieval remains accessible along the route and, when the route allows it, about the defensive structures and the ancient settlement.
Particular attention will be paid to the Ventimiglia Castle and the other historical structures in the area, explaining their function and relationship with the Alcamo area.
Halfway through the experience, we'll stop for a completely different moment.
We will walk in silence for about 20 minutes.
There will be no explanations, and we will try to leave phones and conversations aside.
The goal will be to listen to Monte Bonifato: the wind, the birds, the trees and our footsteps.
The guide will use the panorama to explain the geographical importance of Mount Bonifato.
Looking down on Alcamo, the Gulf of Castellammare, the mountains, and the surrounding countryside, it will be easier to understand why this location was so important for control of the territory.
The panorama will therefore become an integral part of the archaeological narrative: not just a spot to take photos, but a real key to understanding the history of the mountain.
Your guide can point out some of the plant and animal species we will encounter.
In the final part of the experience, we will reach the pine forest for a convivial break.
Here you can relax after the walk, enjoy the natural environment, and take part in the picnic, with the opportunity to taste traditional Sicilian products as provided by the experience organisers.
An experience that combines trekking, prehistory, archaeology, history, nature, and Sicilian tradition.