Excursion to Gorgona island

L'isola di Gorgona ospita una fattoria e, naturalmente, il celebre carcere. Si tratta dell'ultima isola penitenziario d'Italia situata di fronte alla costa di Livorno, a circa 36 km di distanza.

Tutto il territorio è protetto e diviso in zone di diversi livelli. Fatta eccezione per il corridoio di attracco - gestito dalla direzione della Casa di Reclusione - sono vietati accesso, navigazione, sosta, ancoraggio, pesca e immersione.

La costa di Gorgona è caratterizzata da numerose insenature, tra cui la bellissima Cala Scirocco, dove si apre la Grotta del Bove marino, un tempo rifugio di foche monache, Cala Maestra e Cala Martina. Sull'isola si trovano le fortificazioni di Torre Vecchia e quella di Torre Nuova, situata lungo la costa orientale dell'isola.

Curiosità: circa 70 detenuti lavorano negli orti e nel vigneto, curando gli animali e producendo vino, formaggi e miele. Ancora oggi nell'antico borgo, che corona il porticciolo, vivono circa sessanta residenti, però solo pochi stabilmente. Le visite sono regolate e contingentate a numero chiuso, da qui la necessità di una prenotazione con largo anticipo.

Tour offered in Italian and English language

L'itinerario presenta uno sviluppo di circa 10 km, con un dislivello totale in salita di circa 300 metri

Lunghezza: 10 km

Difficoltà: escursionistica

The island of Gorgona hosts a farm and, of course, the famous prison. It is the last island-penitentiary of Italy located in front of the coast of Livorno, about 36 km away.

The whole territory is protected and divided into zones of different levels. Except for the docking corridor - managed by the direction of the local prison - access, navigation, parking, anchoring, fishing and diving are forbidden.

The coast of Gorgona is characterized by numerous inlets, including the beautiful Cala Scirocco, where opens the Grotta del Bove Marino, once a refuge for monk seals, Cala Maestra and Cala Martina. On the island, there are two fortifications: Torre Vecchia and Torre Nuova, located along the eastern coast of the island.

Here's a curiosity: about 70 inmates work in the gardens and the vineyard, taking care of animals and producing wine, cheese and honey. Still today, in the ancient village, which crowns the small port, live about sixty residents, but only a few live on the island permanently. Visits are regulated and limited to a limited number, hence the need for a reservation well in advance.

The itinerary has a length of about 10 km, with a total ascent of about 300 meters.

Difficulty: excursionist

Difference in height: 400 meters positive

Route type: ring

What to bring: packed lunch, water 1.5 litres, snacks, hiking shoes required, comfortable clothing (possibly windbreaker, fleece, k-way, umbrella), cap, backpack, sunglasses, mask, hand sanitiser

Prices include

Organization

Assistance of environmental excursionist guide legally qualified under L.R. 86/2016 with RCT policy

Ferry passage

Park entrance ticket

Meeting point: Porto Mediceo Livorno

Plan

Porto Mediceo of Livorno at 8:00 AM. We will leave with the ferry, duration of the crossing about 1 hour and 20 to Gorgona Island. Before disembarking, the guide will hand over the cell phones, which must remain off and in custody until the end of the excursion, and identity documents in order to proceed with the registration by the prison authorities.

Our trek will begin with a brief visit to the remains of a Roman Villa and the island's commissary run by officers and inmates. We will then walk towards the Frescobaldi vineyards where inmates work producing the famous "Gorgona" wine, going up through the Mediterranean scrub, up to the beautiful viewpoint of Punta di Cala Maestra.Through comfortable dirt roads we will reach Torre Vecchia, a spectacular Pisan fortress overlooking the sea, and then continue to the old "Semaforo" now decommissioned.

Cancellation and no-show policies

Reservation required

At the time of registration is required personal data. The prison authority reserves the right to deny landing in case of any pending lawsuit. The organization is not responsible for any denial.

Green pass and identity document required

It is not allowed to move independently within the island

It is not allowed to disembark cell phones, cameras or other photo-video equipment, which must be handed over to the guide before the disembarkation formalities.

Dogs not allowed

Children over 8 years old admitted

Any delays, changes and modifications due to weather and climate conditions, events and local situations, however, not attributable to the organization, any additional costs are borne by the participants.

In case of cancellation due to bad weather or other causes of force majeure before departure, alternative dates will be proposed to passengers booked. The participant will be able to choose between a refund by bank transfer or compensation for other excursions.

Cancellations:

Unless other due to force majeure, the excursion will be cancelled only in case of adverse marine weather

conditions.

Up to 30 days before the event total refund

Up to 15 days before the event refund Euro 25,00

Up to 7 days before the event refund ticket Park Euro 6,00