Via della Lavanda

Departure: Colle d'Orano
Arrival: Pomonte
Average time needed: 4 hours
Length: 7,6 km
Uphill difference in level: 536 m
Route difficulty: challenging
Routes covered: n. 176, n. 125, n. 126
What to look out for: lavender (3A, 3D), Campo alle Serre telegraphic station (3B), Monte Capanne thermometamorphic ring (3C), grape harvesting (3E)

Via della Lavanda is one of the most challenging tracks of Via dell'Essenza because, due to the characteristics of the ground, the track in some way continues far from the coast and tends to climb up the wetern side of the hills of Monte Capanne. This route, that goes from north to south stretches out from sea level goes upwards as far as almost 600 m higher up, granting you a wide choice of different habitats and also biodiversity.

Via della Lavanda starts in Collo d'Orano and continues southwards as far as the hamlet of Mortigliano. This is where track n. 176 starts upwards in no time and as you go across some tall bush of holm oaks amd strawberry tree you will see it has now covered terracings that in the past were cultivated.

The summit of the route is 583 m above sea level, on the ridge in Campo alle Serre,which is also the highest part of all the stops along Via dell'Essenza, and also here you will find what is left of the old Italian Navy telegraphic station,no longer in use. From this high up, the panorama goes right from north to south, including the entire Tuscan coast, the Apuan Alps, the Ligurian summits, Capraia and Corsica as well as the [page id="261"]more southern islands of the Tuscan Archipelego [/page ].

Keep going along track n. 125Chiessi along the historical mule trackthat in the past was needed to get to the telegraphic station.

Once past the picturesque town of Chiessi keep going along track n. 126, yet another ancient mule track. This track, with the granite monolith of Colle di San Bartolomeo looking down on it, means you continue along what is now the main road, going across old terracings, and this and gets you to Pomonte.