From a collaboration between farms, tourism operators and the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, food and wine itineraries have been created on the island of Elba that enhance the productions and good agricultural practices of areas of high historical-naturalistic value. These are the so-called GustoSentieri, where you can appreciate local agri-environmental and cultural typicalities.
A path has been created in Lacona: to reach the area from the mainland it is advisable to use the Piombino – Portoferraio ferries in order to disembark in the main Elba port, closer to the Capoliveri municipal district.
Two paths have been created in Rio: to reach this other area from the continent it is preferable to use the Piombino – Rio Marina ferries or those for Cavo; disembarking in one of these two secondary ports of the island is closer to the destination.
Food and wine excursions on Elba
Paths and flavors of the largest island of the Archipelago are woven into the hiking itineraries that are proposed by the Park which protects the land and sea of the island territories located between the mainland of Tuscany and Corsica, in the province of Livorno.
GustoSentiero of Lacona
The GustoSentiero of Lacona, a fraction of the municipality of Capoliveri whose name derives from the term “lagoon”, winds through the plain of the southern part of the island, of which the beach of Lacona is the second longest; on the coast there is the last dune area of the whole Archipelago, where you can find sea lilies and chamomiles, rushes, very rare “Ophrys apifera” orchids and a pine forest. Continuing inland, there are cultivated lands, farms and restaurants, such as the sustainable dairy and educational farm in Via dei Vigneti street “Regali Rurali”. Not only sheep’s milk cheeses are produced, but also wool, saffron, oil, fresh and processed vegetables, fruit, eggs and meat.
As part of the “Living the Park 2023” program, a guided tour to discover this suggestive area was organized on Sunday 30 April. The appointment (upon booking at the web address https://infopark.sl3.eu/book-now/1-elba/259-il-gustosentiero-di-lacona) is at 16:00 at the CEA (Centre of Environmental Education) of Lacona. It is an easy itinerary, lasting three hours and costing 10 euros per person (reduced price for 5-12 years old 5 euros, free for 0-4 years).
GustoSentiero of Rio
The GustoSentiero of Rio, a scattered municipality with municipal headquarters in Rio Marina, on the north-eastern side of the island, begins near the Fonte dei Canali, a five-mouth fountain not far from the historic center of Rio nell’Elba, from which water flows spring, next to the historical structure of the public washhouses. The water from the same spring also fed the now abandoned mills in the valley below, before flowing into the sea. Along the path it is therefore possible to explore the Valle dei Mulini with the 22 ruins of the hydraulic mills and the bottacci, basins for collecting the water from the ditches, which are still used today for the irrigation of vegetable gardens, before reaching the slopes of Monte Fico, which owes its name to the presence of fig trees and reaches a height of 268 meters above sea level, among vineyards and Mediterranean scrub.
The Tuscan Archipelago National Park intends to obtain the official recognition of Elba agricultural varieties for some vegetable plants, including the Patresi onion, the Ciatta onion and that of Zanca. Currently, initiatives have been implemented to ensure the maintenance and conservation of these and other varieties in the area, through the establishment of the Seed Bank of the Tuscan Archipelago and a register of growers, among which we find Giulia Spada from the farm “La Lecciola”, in the locality of the same name. It is a family-run farmhouse where Vermentino DOC wine, fruit, vegetables, eggs and farmyard animals are produced.
As part of the “Living the Park 2023” programme, a guided tour to discover this attractive area was organized on Saturday 6 May. The appointment (by reservation at https://infopark.sl3.eu/book-now/1-elba/258-il-gustosentiero-di-rio) is at 3.00 pm at the Casa del Parco in Rio. It is an easy itinerary, lasting three hours and costing 8 euros per person (reduced 5-12 years 5 euros, free 0-4 years).
The GustoSentiero of Rio also includes the ophiolitic outcrops (ophiolites are very characteristic eruptive rocks, green or red in color, which resemble snake skin) of Monte Fico. Moreover, the island is considered the westernmost outcrop of the northern Apennine chain, formed about 150 million years ago following the collision between the European and African plates. On the slopes of the small mountain, even if on two different sides, we find both the farmhouse (Le Perelle locality), among vineyards, cork oaks, holm oaks, myrtles, myrtles and strawberry trees, and the cellar and barriquery (Le Giudimente locality), among vineyards, woods, Mediterranean maquis and garrigue, of the “Le Sughere del Montefico” farm. The vineyards are terraced with dry stone walls. Among the wines produced we find the native DOCs Rosso, Rosso Riserva, Rosato, Ansonica, Bianco, Laurentius Vermentino, Procanico, Sangioveto and the IGT Laurentius Chardonnay. We also find the sparkling wines Isola Imperiale Brut and Brut Rosé. Among the sweet wines there are the DOCG Aleatico and the DOC Ansonica. Do not miss the moscato and grappa.
On Saturday 7 October, as part of the “Living the Park 2023” program, on the occasion of Planet Earth Week, a guided tour was organized to discover this fascinating area in the company of a geologist. The appointment (by reservation) is at 14:00 at the Casa del Parco in Rio. The itinerary is easy to follow, lasts three hours and costs 8 euros per person (reduced 5-12 years 5 euros, free 0-4 years).
Tastings at km 0 and the Tuscan Islands Biosphere Reserve
The aforementioned excursions with zero kilometer tastings allow you to get to know the fundamental link between the nature of the area and the work of man and seal the recognition of Biosphere Reserve attributed by UNESCO for the conservation and protection of the environment within of the MAB Program.
The objective of the Tuscan Islands Biosphere Reserve is to promote initiatives aimed at protecting natural resources and encouraging sustainable economic development for the benefit of the community. Through these paths, which can be traveled without major difficulties, you can discover the places of production and taste typical local products.
