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This reserve was established in 1997 and is currently managed by the State Forests of Sicily. It offers an interesting naturalistic itinerary running between the last stretch of the Nebrodi Mountains and the foot of the Peloritani Mountain Ridge.

Given its high ecological value, the forest is very representative with its pristine integrity and quite variegated environmental diversity – the latter is, of course, mostly related to the different altitudes encompassed by the reserve, ranging between 2.296 and 4.265 ft.

Covering some 12.5 square miles, this reserve is located in the middle of the municipalities of Montalbano Elicona, Roccella Valdemone, Malvagna, Francavilla di Sicilia, Tripi, and Moio Alcantara.

The hills inside the reserve are all covered by a thick forest, featuring some 197 acres of Turkey oaks ( Quercus cerris ), a species which can grow as tall as 98.4 ft3; the rest of the forest is made of beeches, hazelnuts, hollies, chestnuts, and holm oaks.