The Serre della Pizzuta Nature Reserve has held this status since 1998 and insists on an area of ​​414 hectares in the territory of Piana degli Albanesi. It consists of a mountainous complex in which oak forests, caves and native plants are set, all entrusted to the management of the Regional State Forestry Company.

The complex of the mountains of the Reserve extends from North to South from Portella del Pozzillo to Monte Maja and Pelavet. The highest peak is that of Pizzuta, which gains with its 1,333 m. above sea level the right to give the name to the whole complex. Geologically, these are hills of carbonate origin dating back to the Mesozoic period. The calcareous surface bears the signs of the reactions caused by the continuous crossing of water and by the action of atmospheric agents.

Trails
the Reserve can be easily visited thanks to the six paths that cross it. The first is the “Path of the Thief”, which is part of the CAI Path Italy system, starts above the town of Piana degli Albanesi, next to the small church of Santa Maria Odigitria. It meets the Grotta del Garrone, which hosts remarkable limestone formations and a rare bat called the horseshoe major, and leads up to Portella del Garrone, from which you can admire the Serre Frassino and the Vallone delle Neviere. Along this path it is possible to observe two very rare ferns: the cervina tongue (Phyllitis scolopendrium) and the hemionitid scolopendria (Phyllitis sagittata).

From the locality of Xaravulli, just outside the inhabited center to the north, the “Sentiero di Norina” departs, which climbs up the Levante side of the mountain; thanks to an opportune signaling it is possible to deviate up to the Portella del Ladrone; pro following with suggestions of the signs you can reach the Grotta dello Zubbione, to whose visit a dry stone paving is an invitation.

Reserved exclusively for very prepared walkers accustomed to difficulties is the “Sentiero della Pizzuta” which starts from Portella delle Ginistre which can be reached by car, along the provincial road 34. Here you can park your vehicles.

On the west side of the Reserve runs the “Sentiero delle Neviere”, which starts at the Targia drinking trough, reachable from the Palermo-Sciacca expressway, at the exit for Giacalone; from here it is possible to reach the sanctuary of Poggio San Francesco, encountering the "neviere", natural depressions in which snow was preserved.

From Palermo-Sciacca, exit for Piana degli Albanesi, you reach the outskirts of Altofonte, a couple of kilometers before the town of Piana. Taking the marked path, the "Argoma Zevet Path", you arrive at the Visitor Center of the Reserve, obtained from an ancient farm; from here begins the "Sentiero del Pozzillo", which reaches as far as Portella Pozzillo and its ancient drinking trough.

The flora

On Pizzuta there are luxuriant woods of native plants and reforestation, which over the years have managed to live in a balanced relationship. The Xaravulli area was affected by a reforestation plan concerning mainly conifers such as Aleppo pine, stone pine and cedar (Citrus medica). The composition of the undergrowth is that recurrent in the typical island undergrowth and sees the presence of hawthorn, broom, heather, together with blackthorn and rock asparagus (Asparagus horridus), all plant species that contribute to making the environment pleasant to sight and smell. On the most rugged cliffs grow the purple limestone (Viola cal carata), the cornflower of the Busambra, the pendulous helichrysum (Helichrysum pendulum), the hairy cabbage (Brassica villosa), and a rare orchid, the crescent ofride. The reserve is home to more than 45 plant endemics in all.

The fauna

The nights in the Reserve are populated by wild cats and martens, which can only be observed by the luckiest visitors, as both species are unwilling to show themselves in the sunlight.

Along the paths it is not difficult to find the quills lost by porcupines. On the highest peaks hover the golden eagle and Bonelli's eagle, sharing the sky of the Reserve with the peregrine falcon and the buzzard.

The dense foliage of the woods is inhabited by nightingales, blue tit, climbing creepers and owls, while lower down the viper, the rat snake and the Aesculapian snake (Elaphe longissima), together with small common lizards and green lizards. Among the insects, a native grasshopper of considerable size, the marbled gingerbread (Pamphagus marmoratus).