Rifugio Forestale Piana Grande
The place
Forest refuge at Piano Grande within the Parco Regionale delle Madonie (Sicily), on state forest land managed by the Azienda Foreste Regionale. At Piano Grande, on the Madonie trails, a fork allows you to head left toward Monte San Salvatore or right toward the Santuario della Madonna dell'Alto. Access from the forest gate at contrada Quacella via a dirt track. An exceptional setting of beech woods, montane maple stands and the famous Bosco degli Agrifogli Giganti (a forest of centuries-old giant holly trees), listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A basic refuge used by hikers on multi-day routes across the Madonie range. As with most Sicilian refuges, access conditions vary — check with the Corpo Forestale Regionale.
Getting there
From the forest gate at contrada Quacella via dirt track. Trails toward Monte San Salvatore and Madonna dell'Alto.
The setting
Piano Grande, Madonie, beech woods and Bosco degli Agrifogli Giganti (UNESCO).
