Cesarò – Nature, Trails and Sicilian Traditions

Cesarò combines the impressive landscapes of the Nebrodi with trails, lakes, regional cuisine and vibrant traditions. Particularly striking is the combination of expansive nature experiences and a local culture reflected in festivals, historical traces and traditional dishes. Those who wish to combine different interests during their stay will find several clearly distinct focal points here.

Stages of the Dorsale dei Nebrodi and mountain bike routes

The third stage of the Dorsale dei Nebrodi begins at Portella Femmina Morta in Cesarò. It is 25 kilometres long, takes seven hours and has a medium difficulty level. This places a clearly defined, extensive stage at the centre, whose key details can already be taken into account when planning your trip. This third stage also leads into the Bosco di Mangalaviti, a tall beech forest with far-reaching viewpoints. The forest adds its own landscape character to the route description: in addition to the trail itself, beech stands and open views shape this section.

Another active perspective is offered by the SI-C V21-A MTB stage. It begins near Portella Femmina Morta on the SS 289 S. Fratello–Cesarò state road. The route leads to Lago Maulazzo, crosses the Torrente Cuderi and then reaches Lago Biviere. Thus, the two documented stages differ not only in their names but also in their specific routes: the Dorsale stage connects Cesarò with the Bosco di Mangalaviti, while the MTB stage links several bodies of water and the Torrente Cuderi.

Lago Biviere: Highland, wetland and an unusual natural phenomenon

Lago Biviere is located in the municipality of Cesarò at an altitude of 1,278 metres and covers approximately 18 hectares. Due to its distinctive flora and fauna, it is considered the most valuable wetland in Sicily’s highlands in terms of its natural environment.

During the summer months, the waters of Lago Biviere can turn red due to blooms of the microalga Euglena sanguinea. This unusual detail makes the landscape particularly memorable without reducing the lake to a single seasonal appearance. Together with Lago Maulazzo, the Torrente Cuderi and the Bosco di Mangalaviti, it forms a natural area with different landscape elements that appear in different sequences along the routes mentioned.

History, festivals and cuisine in Cesarò

The town itself also offers characteristic points of interest. The ruins of Cesarò’s Castello ducale preserve a Baroque sandstone portal. This is a specific historical detail that directs attention to the town’s past without requiring an extensive museum visit.

Cesarò continues to celebrate San Calogero twice a year, on 18 June and 21 August. The customs also include “A pisata”, a traditional practice that usually takes place during the August celebrations. Those who wish to get to know the town not only through its landscapes but also through recurring local events will find two fixed points firmly anchored in the annual calendar.

The regional cuisine includes traditional dairy products such as Ricotta, Provole, Tuma, Canestrato and Pecorino. On feast days, homemade “i maccheroni” are prepared with tomato sauce, pork or castrated meat and sprinkled with grated salted ricotta. These dishes and products give trip planning a culinary direction alongside nature and culture, without reducing Cesarò to a single speciality.

More destinations for your Sicily research

If you would like to compare Cesarò with other destinations, you can also explore Calavà, Patti, Furnari, Savoca, Monforte Marina, Raccuja, Piraino and San Saba afterwards.

For the overarching travel overview: Messina.