There's a moment in the morning in Maremma when the light filters gently between the hills and the air still carries the coolness of the night. It's the perfect time to set out. To listen to footsteps on the stones, to follow the scent of wet grass on the path, to let yourself be guided by the water that, for centuries, has shaped the landscape and told the story of those who lived here before us.
A few steps from Casa Olivo, in the heart of the medieval village of Campagnatico, there is a path just waiting to be rediscovered: Le Vie dell’Acqua, a circular path that runs alongside the town's ancient springs and crosses one of the most authentic landscapes of the Maremma Grossetana.
A path rediscovered
The springs dotting the Campagnatico area aren't simply water sources. They are places of memory. They were the places where shepherds met with their flocks, women with buckets, and travelers following the transhumance routes. Every fountain, every stone drinking trough tells a story of a time when water was the center of agricultural and community life.
The path of the old springs has been restored and enhanced by the Campagnatico Pro Loco—an association deeply rooted in the area with extraordinary vitality, capable of mobilizing nearly one hundred volunteers for a community of five hundred inhabitants. This commitment speaks volumes about the spirit of this small village, where a sense of belonging is not just a word but a daily practice.
The trail is currently awaiting official certification from the CAI, and volunteers are working to extend the route and add new points of interest. A work in progress, in the best sense of the word: a territory that takes care of itself.
Water as a narrative thread
Walking along the Waterways means traversing centuries of Maremma rural history. The ancient fountains, built from local stone, bear witness to the hydraulic wisdom of centuries past: capturing spring water, channeling it, and distributing it without waste. A simple and effective technology, today a match for more sophisticated systems.
The landscape that unfolds along the route is one those who stay at Casa Olivo know well: the rolling hills sloping down to the Ombrone River, the deep green of the oak forests, the vineyards and olive groves that mark the rhythm of the land. In these parts, beauty is never spectacular—it's instead quiet, insistent, the kind that lingers.
The village in the background
The trail also offers precious views of Campagnatico, the medieval village visible from the farmhouse: the ancient stone walls, the watchtowers, the silhouette of the bell tower. A town steeped in history—from the Aldobrandeschi family's rule to the Dantesque immortality of Count Omberto, from the tradition of the Palio to the summer festivals that annually draw visitors from across the Maremma.
The Vie dell’Acqua fit into this story as an untold chapter, that of everyday life and work, of the slow and necessary relationship with the earth's resources.
How to get there from Casa Olivo
The trail can be reached on foot directly from the village of Campagnatico, about a kilometer from the farmhouse. It's suitable for everyone—families with children, hiking enthusiasts, and anyone looking to spend a different kind of morning, away from paved roads and close to something authentic.
For updates on the route, we recommend contacting the Campagnatico (Pro Loco directly (prolococampa@libero.it | tel. 351 3375436) or following them on their social media channels. A day dedicated to the Via dell’Acqua is planned for April 26, 2026.
Meeting point: Piazzale Belvedere at 10:00 am
The route: Accompanied by environmental guides, we will explore the rediscovered springs.
Social Lunch: At the end of the walk, we will meet for a moment of conviviality in Piazzale Belvedere.
PARTICIPATION FEE (Trekking + Lunch) €20.00 for adults
€10 for children (under 14). Information and reservations: (+39) 351 337 5436 or DM
