2014 Walking Festival - Autumn programme from September 20th to October 12th

Saturday September 20th

Portoferraio - The San Martino woods and the Residence of Napoleon

Excursion in the ancient woods of San Martino, across beautiful Mediterranean bush rich in holm oaks, as far as the GTE route and the old windmill, with the breathtaking view of the gulf of Portoferraio on one side and Lacona on the other.
For those who wish to learn the history of Napoleon Bonaparte while he was exiled in Elba, there are guided visits to the Villa of San Martino and the National Museum of the Residences of Napoleon in Elba at the end of the excursion (cost of admission to the museum 3,00 euros to be paid on site by participants).
Level of difficulty: medium
Meeting time and place for the excursion: 9 a.m. at the Villa of San Martino, (with visit on return from the excusrsion)
How long it takes: 4 hours for the excursion, 1 hour and 30 minutes for the visit to the Villa
Information and booking: Guide a Piedi nel Parco Association cell.3288541878
No admission fee, but entrance to museum 3,00 euros to be paid by participants

Rio nell'Elba - A walk with Napoleon to Santa Caterina

Excursion up to the Hermitage of Santa Caterina, not far from the centre of Rio nell'Elba, along the road for Nisporto. A short, uphill road takes you to the Hermitage, visited by Napoleon in 1815, and the Elba Orto dei Semplici is right next to it; here you will find officinal plants as well as various endemisms from the Tuscan Archipelago.
Meeting time and place: 4.00 p.m. at the Casa del Parco in Rio nell'Elba
Level of difficulty: medium
How long it takes: 3 hours
Information and booking: "Franco Franchini" Casa del Parco in Rio nell'Elba, at The Old Washouses tel. 0565 943399 or contact the Park Guide Cinzia Battaglia cell. 347 3520986
No admission fee.

Sunday September 21st

Campo nell'Elba - Napoleon and the barley from Pianosa

Walk around Pianosa, where Napoleon went twice in 1814 to see if anything could be built there, and if so, to improve the situation; in fact he had Forte Teglia built, and in an attempt to encourage both the agriculture and the cattle breeding he got some families from Elba to move there. Unfortunately, transport costs proved too high, and this explains the saying "you cost more than the barley from Pianosa".
Bring a packed lunch.
Level of difficulty: easy, the route is all flat
How long it takes: about a 4 hours walk with stops for information and lunch
Information and compulsory booking: Ticket Office in Piazza dei Granatieri, 203 Marina di Campo tel 0565 976022 cell. 3287095470, please state you wish to take part in the Walking Festival
No admission fees, but you must pay for the ferry ticket to and from Pianosa that also includes entrance to the protected area

Marciana - The Stations of the Cross and the Hermitage of Napoleon

A walk through the old town of Marciana and then up along the Stations of the Cross to the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Monte, where Napoleon stopped for a few days; he particularly liked the area because from here, the mountains all around him, surrounded by ancient chestnut trees and flowers in bloom, he could look across the sea to his much loved Corsica.
Level of difficulty: medium
Meeting time and place: 10 a.m. at the "Fortezza Pisana" Casa del Parco in Marciana
How long it takes: 3 hours
Information and booking: Casa del Parco tel. 0565 901030 or Environmental Guide Federica Ferrini cell. 348 7039374
No admission fee

Friday September 26th

Porto Azzurro - Napoleon and the mountains around the Sanctuary

Excursion surrounded by the Spring scents and colours in truly peaceful areas, a sort of picturesque ring road with a stop at the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Monserrato, where Naoleon also stopped in 1814 with Pons and Bertrand.
Level of difficulty: not very easy
Meeting time and place: 4 p.m. at the monumental Pine tree on the road to Monserrato
How long it takes: 4 hours and 30 minutes
Information: Casa del Parco tel 0565 943399 or Park Guide Cinzia Battaglia cell 347 3520986
No admission fee

Saturday September 27th

Rio Marina - Napoleon and the iron mines

The first place on Elba that Napoleon went to see was Rio Marina and its mines, and this is the area the Nordic walking excursion across the Mineral Park is dedicated to, with its colourful rocks and pieces of industrial archaeology, up to the extraction amphitheatre of Valle Giove, the biggest and most recent yard that the Appiani Tower looks over. An instructor from the Rio Marina Nordic Walking school will be at your complete disposal for the entire excursion should you wish any information, as well as providing you with all the necessary equipment. Bring a packed lunch.
Level of difficulty: medium
Meeting time and place: 10 a.m. at the Hotel Rio in via Palestro in Rio Marina
How long it takes: 5 hours
Information and booking: Guide A Piedi nel Parco Association cell. 3288541878 or N.W. Environmental Guide and Regional Instructor Evi Guertler cell 328 7334361
Excursion free of charge, but tickets for the Mineral Park cost 5,00 euros (adults) and 4,00 euros (children)

Sunday September 28th

Marciana - The old town and the Napoleon springs

Nordic walking excursion in an area much loved by Napoleon, starting at the old town of Marciana, with the panorama of the mountains full of chestnut trees on one side and the sea from Monte Capanne on the other, as far as the Hermitage of San Cerbone. You will stop at the Napoleon Springs along the way, whose waters are both beneficial and healing, that this great French General loved to drink while he was staying at the hermitage of the Madonna del Monte.
An instructor from the Rio Marina school of Nordic Walking will be at your disposal at the Casa del Parco in Marciana should you wish any further information concerning this discipline, as well as providing all the necessary equipment.
Level of difficulty: medium.
Meeting time and place: 10 a.m. at the Casa del Parco in Marciana
How long it takes: 3 hours
Information and booking: "Fortezza Pisana" Casa del Parco in Marciana tel. 0565 901030 or N.W. Regional Instructor and Environmental Guide cell 328 7334361 Guide A Piedi nel Parco Association cell 328 8541878
No admission fee

Tuesday September 30th

Capoliveri - La Vantina and the Old Railway

The ancient town of Capoliveri is still exactly as it was thanks to a beautiful girl called "La Vantina" who convinced Napoleon to withdraw his troops that were ready to attack the town.
The mineral trekking aimed at discovering the Cantiere Vallone Calamita Mines starts off at Innamorata beach (place where the legend of the young "Maria" from Capoliveri, madly in love with Lorenzo, jumped into the sea after him, was born); here, if you wish, you can collect some small copper and iron minerals. Visit to the "Museo della Vecchia Officina" (Old Mining Museum) with a taste of the typical "schiaccia briaca" from Capoliveri.
Level of difficulty: medium to easy
Meeting time and place: 2 p.m. - car park at Innamorata beach in Capoliveri
How long it takes: 4 hours
Information and compulsory booking: Calamita Mines 3939059583, www.minieredicalamita.it
Admission 3,00 euros.

Friday October 3rd

Capoliveri - La Vantina in the "Heart of the Earth"

The old town of Capoliveri is still as it was in the past thanks to a beautiful young girl, "La Vantina", who convinced Napoleon to withdraw his troops who were about to attack the town. The mineral excursion towards the Ginevro mine starts off here, accompanied by the Caput Liberum Society Guides, with a stop at the square that bears the same name and is dedicated to the beautiful girl, in. the old town. Visit to the tunnel of Ginevro (6 metres below sea level, temperature 18°C), where if you wish you can collect some small samples of iron minerals. Return journey to the town will be by bus from Ginevro at 2.30 p.m. Bring a packed lunch.
Level of difficulty: from medium to easy
Meeting time and place: 9 a.m. at Piazza del Cavatore in Capoliveri
How long it takes: 5 hours
Information and compulsory booking:Calamita Mines 3939059583, www.minieredicalamita.it.
Admission fee: 5,00 euros

Saturday October 4th

Portoferraio - The San Martino woods and the Residence of Napoleon

Excursion in the ancient woods of San Martino, across beautiful Mediterranean bush rich in holm oaks, as far as the GTE route and the old windmill, with the breathtaking view of the gulf of Portoferraio on one side and Lacona on the other. Bring a packed lunch.
For those who wish to learn the history of Napoleon Bonaparte while he was exiled in Elba, there are guided visits to the Villa of San Martino and the National Museum of the Residences of Napoleon in Elba at the end of the excursion (cost of admission to the museum 3,00 euros to be paid on site by participants).
Level of difficulty: medium
Meeting time and place for the excursion: 9 a.m. at the Villa of San Martino, (with visit on return from the excusrsion)
How long it takes: 4 hours for the excursion, 1 hour and 30 minutes for the visit to the Villa
Information and booking: Park Guide Antonello Marchese cell 3405741463
No admission fee, but entrance to museum 3,00 euros to be paid by participants

Sunday October 5th

Campo nell'Elba - Napoleon and the barley from Pianosa

Walk around Pianosa, where Napoleon went twice in 1814 to see if anything could be built there, and if so, to improve the situation; in fact he had Forte Teglia built, and in an attempt to encourage both the agriculture and the cattle breeding he got some families from Elba to move there. Unfortunately, transport costs proved too high, and this explains the saying "you cost more than the barley from Pianosa".
Bring a packed lunch.
Level of difficulty: easy, the route is all flat
How long it takes: about a 4 hours walk with stops for information and lunch
Information and compulsory booking: Ticket Office in Piazza dei Granatieri, 203 Marina di Campo tel 0565 976022 cell. 3287095470, please state you wish to take part in the Walking Festival
No admission fees, but you must pay for the ferry ticket to and from Pianosa that also includes entrance to the protected area

Monday October 6th

Capoliveri - La Vantina and the Mining Town

The old town of Capoliveri is still as it was in the past thanks to a beautiful young girl by the name of "La Vantina" who convinced Napoleon to withdraw his troops about to attack the town; the Commune of Capoliveri has hence dedicated the tiny square in the centre of the old part to her.
The excursion starts off at Piazza del "Cavatore" and goes along the typical, tiny lanes round the town to be found on the antique, medieval maps...in the company of the guides from the Caput Liberum Society you will discover the Old Mining Town as well as some of the original tools used by the miners, the so called "gli omini de la vena" (the men of the vein).
Level of difficulty: easy
Meeting time and place: 5 p.m. - Piazza del Cavatore in Capoliveri
How long it takes: 2 hours
Information and compulsory booking: Calamita Mines 3939059583, www.mimieredicalamita.it
No admission fee.

Wednesday October 8th

Marciana - Napoleon under the monnlight

A night excursion, the silent nature all around you, the only light coming from the reflection of the full moon on the sea, on your way to the suggestive Hermitage of the Madonna del Monte in the heart of nature, where Napoleon stayed for a few days.
Level of difficulty. easy
How long it takes: 3 hours
Information: Casa del Parco tel 0565 901030, Environmental Guide federica Ferrini cell. 348 7039374
No admission fee

Saturday October 11th

Marciana - The Madonna del Monte and the nearby Corsica

Excursion starting off at the old town of Marciana, along the Stations of the Cross as far as the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Monte and the Hermitage where Napoleon stayed, and when you reach Serraventosa from where Corsica seems so near, you go down the ridge towards Punta Polveraia and head for the Raggio Verde route. Then up road number 14 that brings you to a beautiful chestnut wood, then close the circle and you're back at the starting point.
Level of difficulty: medium
Meeting time and place: 10 a.m. at the "Fortezza Pisana" Casa del Parco in Marciana
How long it takes: 4 hours
Information and booking: "Fortezza Pisana" Casa del Parco in Marciana tel. 0565 901030 or Environmental Guide Federica Ferrini cell 348 7039374
No admission fee

Sunday October 12th

Western Elba - La Vantina and the old railway

The ancient town of Capoliveri is still exactly as it was thanks to a beautiful girl called "La Vantina" who convinced Napoleon to withdraw his troops that were ready to attack the town. The mineral trekking aimed at discovering the Cantiere and the Vallone Calamita Mines starts just off the town, going past Innamorata beach, and if you wish, you can collect some small copper and iron minerals. Visit to the "Museo della Vecchia Officina" (Old Mining Museum) with a taste of the typical "schiaccia briaca" from Capoliveri.
Level of difficulty: medium to easy
Meeting time and place: 2 p.m. - car park at Innamorata beach in Capoliveri
How long it takes: 5 hours
Information and compulsory booking: Calamita Mines 3939059583, www.minieredicalamita.it
Admission 3,00 euros.