You have caught me out! I was scouring the wood, visiting the Stone Houses, photographing views of beautiful viewpoints.

One Sunday immersed in warm and burned autumn colors surrounded by dry leale and the first husks I felt around me a sense of romance and adventure.

It is a good idea to lose one's bearings and leave with the intention of walking out, breathe, take pictures and relax with friends. With Giusy and Daniele we have compiled the hit list of the sights of nature, on the excursionists Assunta Calise's advice. Next time, in fact, we plan on crossing the path of Serrara (Calimera) Epomeo Fiaiano, recommended for its particular beauty.

After 'Epomeo in the saddle', then, I come back with pleasure to Serrara to walk along a simple path, accessible to all, towards Falanga, 600 meters above the sea level.

And it is interesting to note that from Forio and specifically from the crossroad to reach the Mortella Gardens, we can see the silhouette of giant Typhon, whose legend has been handed down for centuries: Capo dell'Uomo is his forehead, the top of Epomeo his nose and the rest of the mountain represents the whole body.

We are not the only ones who have longed for these sites. We met several tourists, hunters, a family that impressed us with its little hikers and even our friends, the world is really small while we prepare a picnic.

We start from Bracconiere Restaurant. After having parked the car, we enjoy two hours of pure movement. The most unusual discoveries occur when you leave the path, an islander confirms it us showing a picture of these places. We stop and consume a snack, but it is good to prefer the daytime, and be careful because there are no indications entering the path.

From Bocca di Serra, looking upward, you will notice a cross placed there where thirteen Englishmen lost their lives disappeared in a terrible plane crash on March 9, 1947. If you are lucky you will meet a flock of sheep and this will make you feel a bit like Heidi and Peter.

Here the vegetation is sparse (garrigue). There is biting Carlina golden ray, the spurge in clumps, brooms, Cornflower and even the entrance of Frassitielli the intense broom that the botanical Gussone brought to the green island.

The path marked by rocky piles, eroded by the atmospheric agent, will take you to the Belvedere Fatebenefratelli to Frassitelli, an area that probably takes its name from Frassini, even if the three specimens give way to a prevalence of Robinie. The undergrowth, which boasts a lush vegetation in spring with cyclamen and garlic, in fall gives way to more bare and barren landscapes, with wild asparagus and some green holly. Basket in hand, after the rains, you will also find mushrooms, but for those you have set your alarm and be accompanied by experts.

Continue along the Falanga wood.

A forest of chestnut trees looks like umbrella, young trees, but long-lived, a precious wood used as support for vines, will lead you to an unexpected discovery. In these places, which seem untouched by man, you will find holes to keep the snow and stone houses camouflaged in the thicker vegetation. The houses, blocks of tufa rock, were an ancient refuge for grape growers. The vines at one time embraced these areas even before the chestnut get the upper hand. For an watchful eye, the forest is constantly changing from season to season, year after year.

In the past it was a path attended by grandmothers from Serrara and Ciglio, who crossed it to go sell vegetables when tourism was just beginning to emerge.

From Falanga, in fact, you can reach Casamicciola, while following the blue directions on the chestnut trees, at the junction, where there is its highest point, turning to the left, you arrive at Santa Maria del Monte where you can go towards a comfortable and scenic road to Forio or Via Biocca (Ravino Gardens).

Along the path I collect barks, husks and yellow leaves to bring a little bit of autumn and my day in Falanga on the table.

For the nature trails we recommend hiking and gym shoes

Assunta Calise mob. 329.53.55.723