Description
Custonaci is a small town 20-minute’ drive from San Vito lo Capo, on a 200 m high hill, on the slopes of which there are some beautiful cliffs of excellent limestone, with a wonderful view on the sea of Cala Burruto.
About all these cliffs have a considerable height: the routes are, for the most part, 30 m long, and some of them are up to 60 m long. About all the rock walls are South and South West faced, but there are some stretch North and North West faced. Thus this crag is recommended in winter and in the mid seasons, and, for few areas, in summer too.
The routes are more than 100, of a medium, high and very high difficulty. Many routes are waiting for the first ascent. The approach is short and comfortable for all the areas, (except Fiamme Gialle). Even the space under the rock wall is wide and comfortable for all the areas, except Fiamme Gialle. Thus the arg is overall good for children, except for only one area.
The coast under Custonaci has some beautiful beaches, with a beautiful view on Monte Cofano (on left) and the sea cliff of Salmonella (on the right). The most famous beach is “Baia Margherita”.
In close proximity to the crags there are the Caves of Scurati (Grotte di Scurati), a preistoria settlements inhabited up to the first half of the XX century. By Christmas time (that is in the peak climbing season), in such caves takes place the “presepe Vivente” (Living Crib) of Custonaci.
The biggest cave of Custonaci is the Grotta Mangiapane (Mangiapane Cave) and can be visited. It’s 70m high,13m wide and 50m wide. In this cave were found traces of primitive man: some small utensils and prehistoric frescoes.
Approach
BY PLANE
The nearest international airports to San Vito lo Capo are the one of Trapani and the one of Palermo. The airport of Trapani is the nearest one (45 minutes by car), but the airport of Palermo (60 minutes by car) offer much more international flights. Once at Trapani (or Palermo), it’s convenient to book a rental car to San Vito together with the flight, as the public transport from Trapani (or Palermo) is not regular. As an alternative, you can book a private transfer, and once you are in San Vito, you can get around on foot, or by a rental bicycle
BY FERRY
You can take a ferry to Palermo from many harbors: Genova, Livorno, Civitavecchia (near Roma), Napoli, Salerno, or from Cagliari (in Sardegna). From Civitavecchia or Naples the ferry sets sail in the evening and arrive in the early morning. If you have a car, it’s convenient boarding with your car, or, as an alternative, booking a rental car to San Vito (or a private transfer).
BY CAR FROM PALERMO
From Palermo take the highway E90 toward Trapani, and exit to Castellammare del Golfo. Once at Castellammare del Golfo (SS 731) follow the signs to Custonaci, and take the SS187 road. Once at the fork to Custonaci, turn right and take the SP16 road. Continue on the SP16 road, up to San Vito lo Capo, crossing first Custonaci, then Purgatorio, then Castelluzzo, and finally Màcari.
BY CAR FROM TRAPANI
From Trapani take the SS187 road toward San Vito lo Capo. Once at the fork to Custonaci, turn left and take the SP16 road. Continue on the SP16 road, up to San Vito lo Capo, crossing first Custonaci, then Purgatorio, then Castelluzzo, Màcari, and finally San Vito.
