
VIA DELL'ESSENZA
The project kicked off in 2011 from an idea of 'Econauta' Umberto Segnini, who first carried out the design of the entire trail, , and then the opening of the first trails.
In 2022, the project came under the management of the Acqua dell'Elba Foundation, which decided to create a partnership with the Tuscan Archipelago National Park aimed at making the Way of Essence even more usable thanks to renewed signage, the digitization of maps, the identification and enhancement of points of interest.
The first phase of the 'New Way of Essence' is embodied in a five-year commitment (2023 - 2027) signed by Acqua dell'Elba Foundation and the Tuscan Archipelago National Park aimed at restoration of the walking surface, to the modelling of the vegetation at the edges of the path and the enhancement of the historical and naturalistic emergencies of eight sensory paths that allow you to develop the circumnavigation of western Elba, at slopes of Mount Capanne, for a total of 66.5 km.
During 2023 Acqua dell'Elba Foundation and the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago have worked assembly to equip with new signage the first of 8 paths of the new way of the Essence. In this case, they were 2 new panels were created at the beginning and end of the path and 5 poles with QR code installed along the 6.68 km of the route. I QR Queues refer to a page on the website of Acqua dell'Elba Foundation in which are present the details of what, in that specific period, the hiker is looking around. The website has also been enhanced by including general technical data and detailed descriptions of the flora and fauna that can be enjoyed along the route.
VIDEO OF THE OPENING OF THE NEW VIA DEI LENTISCHI
During 2024, stages 2-3-4-5 (from Sant'Andrea to Marina di Campo) were inaugurated.
Stages 6-7-8 are currently available and will be equipped with the same services as the previous stages in the coming months.
At the end of the first phase of the 'New' Via dell'Essenza, a second phase including more stages is planned to complete the inner tour of the island.
'La Via dell'Essenza' ('The Way of Essence') is an initiative carried out by Acqua dell'Elba Foundation and the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago with the aim of restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of eight sensory routes that will allow the development of the western Elba tour, at the foot of Monte Capanne, for a total of 66.5 km. The variety and richness of the trails allows you to attract hiking tourism during all the months of the year and also to enrich the experiences offers to summer tourists.