Hotel Yacht Club: trekking itineraries on the island of Elba
... introduction: the descriptions of the following walks have had to be brief therefore for more detailed information on these and other walks on the island, we advise you to buy the book "Guida ai Sentieri Natura dell'Elba e Capraia" published by RS.
There could be some slight changes in the signposting by the organizations who deal with the up-keep of the footpaths. For doing these walks, we advise you to wear appropriate clothing ...
5) (BLUE ROUTE : Medium difficulty)
Mount Perone (630mt.) Mount Maolo (749 mt. ) Mount Capanne (1018mt.)
You set off from the public parking picnic area at the top of Mount Perone and it takes about 2 hours 15 mins to reach Mount Capanne; the uphill walk is quite difficult.
Brief description: the track unites Mount Perone and Mount Maolo along the eastern ridge of Mount Capanne - you follow the signs CAI 5 which are part of the GTE as far as a "caprile" ( a stone shelter used in the past by shepherds ) where pathways CAI 1 and CAI 2 meet and take you down either to Marciana or Poggio.
1) (RED ROUTE: Difficult)
Mount Capanne (1018mt. )
This track takes you up the western face of Mount Capanne, first through chestnut woods and then across bare slopes, sometimes covered in Mediterranean " macchia ", low scrub and bushes typical of the island. This will take about 2 hours 45 minutes to do the uphill climb and another 2 hours for the descent. The wonderful views from this, the highest point of the island, makes the effort all worth while.
Brief description: from Marciana (375mt. ) you go up past the little church of San Cerbone, follow path N° CAI 1 and on reaching the eastern ridge of the mountain, close to a "caprile", you meet path N° 2 which comes up from Poggio and takes you on up to the top of the mountain, following the north-eastern ridge.
2) (RED ROUTE: Difficult)
Mount Capanne - the most direct route.
Only for the very fit, this climb takes the shortest route and it is also the most tiring. It sets off from Poggio and passes along the north-east ridge of Mount Capanne on route N° 2 until it meets with the other paths from Marciana and from S. Ilario, near the "caprile" and from there proceeds up to the top of the mountain. You will need at least 2 hours 30 mins. to reach the top and 1 hour 45 mins. to come back down. From start to finish there is a difference in height of about 670 metres.
9-10-11) (BLUE ROUTE : Medium difficulty)
Marciana Marina - Cotoncello (S. Andrea)
This long but quite easy walk is best done in spring or in autumn when nature is at its most beautiful. Setting off from La Fenicia at the port of Marciana Marina, you follow the tarmac road in the direction of La Cala for about 2 kilometres. Just before you reach the group of houses at Number 18, "La Ripa", you will find a footpath on your left which takes you along a fairly level route through the typical scented Mediterranean shrubland, along the coastline, past a succession of little bays and inlets where at some of the headlands you will find breathtaking sea views. It will take about 4 hours to cover this six and a half kilometre trail to reach the spendid little cove of Cotoncello.
12) (YELLOW ROUTE : Easy)
Round trip of Valle di Lavacchio
The route is easy and if you can do it in spring there is the added beauty of the broom and the Hottentot fig plant (of South African origin ) in flower. From the locality of Fornace in Marciana Marina there is a short climb which takes you to the locality of I Pini ( the Pines ) where this walk crosses with the path that goes to the Redinoce beach. Keep to the right towards the valley of Lavacchio close to the road for Poggio. From there, having stopped to admire the views of Marciana Marina and its famous Pisan tower, you start the descent which brings you back to the town in the locality of Lavacchio - San Giovanni. This 3 and a half kilometre walk will take you about 2 hours.
7-8) (YELLOW ROUTE : Easy)
Round trip of Valle di Cappone
This walk around the western part of Marciana Marina is similar in time and difficulty to the previous one. Start at the Fenicia beach and follow the tarmac road for a short way until you come to a footpath on your left next to the perimeter fence of the villa Number 18 in La Fenicia locality. This climbs up towards Ripa Barata. You follow along the Val di Cappone and near Casa Bartoli you will come to the pathway which brings you down through the same valley through the classical Mediterranean shrubland and then rises up again to the opposite side of the valley. When you come across path N° 7 you keep to the left towards l'Uccellaia; you walk through bushland dominated by oak trees and then take the donkey track that leads you back to the town.