Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights & Activities
Monte Fossa delle Felci
For jaw-dropping views, climb to the Aeolians' highest point, Monte Fossa delle Felci
(962m). The two-hour ascent starts from the
Santuario della Madonna del Terzito
, an imposing
19th-century church at Valdichiesa, in the valley separating the island's two volcanoes. Up
top, gorgeous perspectives unfold on the symmetrically arrayed volcanic cones of Monte
dei Porri, Filicudi and a distant Alicudi.
From the sanctuary - an important place of pilgrimage for islanders, particularly around
the Feast of the Assumption on 15 August - you can follow a signposted track up through
pine and chestnut woodlands and fields of ferns, all the way to the top. Along the way
you'll see plenty of colourful flora, including wild violets, asparagus and a plant known
locally as
cipudazza
(Latin
Urginea marittima
), which was sold to the Calabrians to make
soap but is used locally as mouse poison!
MOUNTAIN