Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano

Easy trail

• Trail Conditions: On foot
• Interest: Flora, Wildlife, Panorama

• Departure: Monte Perone
• Arrival: Monte Perone
• Duration: 2 hours 20 min
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Length: 5 km
• Difference in height: Uphill 279m

The Butterfly Sanctuary is located on Mt. Perone, the innermost area of the Mt. Capanne massif, and can be reached by car on Province Road 37 either from east - departing from Marina di Campo and driving through Sant'Ilario - or north, departing from Poggio. The walk begins from the picnic area and follows the GTE; near Monte Maolo, path No 107 branches off the GTE and leads to San Piero, where another interesting butterfly area is located. With the Park's help, the butterflies are monitored and the growth of plants of the genus Aristolochia is especially promoted, as they provide nutrition for the caterpillar of the rare southern festoon butterfly. The path goes on on the northern side of Le Calanche, twice crossing path No 100. Right before the last junction, on the north-eastern face of Mt. Capanne's top, the GTE bifurcates (Northern and Southern GTE). The Sanctuary essentially consists of three environments, the first of which is a pine wood. Although the trees were artificially planted, they provide a cool, bright space rich in flowers, where butterflies can find shelter from the summer heat. There, three butterfly species live that are virtually absent from Italy's minor islands: the southern festoon, the southern small white, and the gatekeeper. After the junction with path No 107 the road gets narrower, and leads to the "watershed meadows": clearings and rock outcrops where grasses, brooms and helichrysum grow. Their nectar feeds most of the endemic butterflies. The path finally enters a maquis patch, which - although less densely populated by butterflies - offers the opportunity to spot the famous two-tailed pasha, as its larva feeds on strawberry trees, that are numerous here; and in the small clearings it is possible to see the purple hairstreak. At the bifurcation of the GTE, walk back to the point of departure.