In spring, Elba, an area characterized by varied endemic flora of rare beauty, takes on the colors of nature, with the vegetation wearing its most colorful dress. The Tuscan Archipelago National Park organizes suggestive free guided excursions overlooking the sea every year: the Walking Festival, one of the most important excursion events in Italy, invites you to walk and follow panoramic itineraries among the natural and cultural beauties of the island jewels located between the Tuscan mainland and Corsica accompanied by the Park’s official guides.
To reach the largest island of the Tuscan archipelago from the Italian peninsula, as an alternative to the plane, there are ferries to Elba, with which you disembark after less than an hour in the port of Portoferraio, in the port of Cavo or in that of Rio Marina.
The Walking Festival and the Elba spring
The spring excursions on Elba organized as part of the Walking Festival of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park are carried out with the accompaniment of expert naturalistic guides, who reveal, while trekking, every secret of the geological, floral and culture of the territory you are crossing.
Trekking on the Capo di Stella promontory
May 13, 2023
This excursion with tasting of typical products has been organized in collaboration with the Camping Laconella, Valle Santa Maria and Appartamenti Tallinucci; it is an experience that allows you to discover the Capo di Stella promontory with a circular route on the peninsula that separates the bays of Lacona and Stella, with panoramic views of the coast of the Stella Gulf, the western coast of Calamita, Capoliveri and the Gemini islands, immersed in the Mediterranean bush. The activity, lasting two and a half hours, starts at 9:30 on Saturday 13 May at Margidore beach and is easy to complete. The activity is free but requires booking at the web address infopark.sl3.eu/book-now/1-elba/379-trekking-promontorio-capo-stella; participants must wear hiking shoes. There are a maximum of 25 places available.
Excursion to the path of Mortella
May 19, 2023
The Mortella path is an itinerary that connects the villages of Viticcio and Forno in the municipality of Portoferraio; the organized one is an easy guided tour with a snack based on local products offered by the Hotel Scoglio Bianco. The meeting is scheduled for 15:00 on Friday 19 May at the Viticcio hotel and will last 4 hours. The event is free but requires booking at the web address infopark.sl3.eu/book-now/1-elba/382-cursion-il-sentiero-della-mortella. Participants (maximum 25) must wear suitable hiking shoes. In addition, the author Marisa Sardi will present her book entitled “Il sentiero della Mortella”.
Trekking on the bee trails
May 20, 2023
The itinerary runs along the paths where nests have been placed where honey bees can dwell, to arrive at the Casa del Parco in Marciana, where the installation project of the so-called Domus Mellifera will be presented. The event, born from a collaboration between WBA, Acqua dell’Elba and other organizations to celebrate World Bee Day, can be enjoyed free of charge by a maximum of 25 people but requires reservations (infopark.sl3.eu/book-now/ 1-elbe/383-the-paths-of-bees). The appointment is at 15:00 on Saturday 20 May at the Casa del Parco. The route is easy and takes three hours.
Trekking of the European Natura 2000 Network Day
May 21, 2023
The route that leads to “La Tavola” along the slopes of Monte Capanne is demanding but allows you to discover the endemic flora with the guide of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park on the occasion of the European Natura 2000 Network Day. The meeting point is at 10:00 on Sunday 21 May at the Casa del Parco in Marciana and the duration is 6 hours. The excursion, of fairly high difficulty, is free and available for a maximum of 25 people; hiking shoes are required. You can book at the web address infopark.sl3.eu/book-now/1-elba/384-trekking-giornata-europea-rete-natura-2000.
Trekking at Tonietti Mausoleum
May 27, 2023
The itinerary begins, during the European Week of Parks, near the Frugoso beach, includes a stretch of the GTE and has as its destination the Tonietti Mausoleum, a funerary building built by Adolfo Coppedè in the Pinetina area. The difficulty of the path, which can be covered in 3 hours and requires trekking shoes, is medium. The appointment, by reservation (infopark.sl3.eu/book-now/1-elba/385-trekking-mausoleo-tonietti), is for a maximum of 25 people at 15:00 on Saturday 27 May on the Cavo seafront.
Trekking of Prunelle
May 28, 2023
The itinerary winds from Marciana to Serraventosa passing through the sanctuary of the Madonna del Monte, with panoramic views of the islands of the Tuscan archipelago and Corsica, in the flowering period of the prunella plants (scientific name Prunella vulgaris) in Campo alle Serre. The meeting point is at 16:00 on Sunday 28 May at the Casa del Parco. The itinerary is of medium difficulty, lasts 3 hours and requires trekking shoes, it is for a maximum of 16 people, by reservation (infopark.sl3.eu/book-now/1-elba/386-trekking-delle- prunelle), free of charge.
