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Point of departure: Villa in San Martino
Point of arrival:Le Buche Beach (Patresi)
First stop: Villa in San Martino - Fonte di Zeno
Length: 14,6 km
Difference in height:+661 m - 419 m
Estimated time it takes: 5 h
Second stopping place: Fonte di Zeno - Napoleon's Seat
Length: 14,7 km
Difference in height: +676 m - 750 m
:Time it Takes: 5 h
Pathways you will cover: n. 221, GTE, n. 180, n. 101, n. 103, GTE north, n. 127, n. 127A
You must visit: Villa in San Martino, [page id"748"]Poggio[/page], San Cerbone hermitage, Marciana, Sanctuary of Madonna del Monte, Beach of Le Buche
Napoleeon's walkway is the original route that Napoleon Bonaparte took in August 1814 to go from Portoferraio to [page id"236"]Madonna del Monte[/page], as far as, according to the legend Napoleon's Seat, on the north-western coast of the Island of Elba.
Interesting fact: Napoleon's Seat is a rock shaped like an "armchair" near Le Buche beach (Patresi) where, legend has it, the emperor loved to sit and nostagically look out to his beloved Corsica. It is yet another famousStone Monsters on the Island of Elba: spectacular, natural stone formations that remind us of stories, animals and legends.
The itinerary starts off near the Villa in San Martino in Portoferraio and you take path n. 221 that leads to Poggio del Mulino a Vento. Once here, keep going along the GTE route, towards the Hill in Procchio
. Once in Procchio keep walking along the GTE path as far as Monte CastelloAt the junction keep walking along path n. 180
Don't leave this path because it gets you to a grit path that then takes you to a cement road that then leads on to the tarmacadamed Via di Lavacchio. Approximately 2 km further along the tarmacadamed road you then have to turn off in Via di Rimercoio that is still n. 180, until you reach the picturesque town of Poggio that must be seen.
Once visited, a short walk along a tarmacadamed road gets you to a path that after about 30 minutes gets you to the hermitage of San Cerbone: a truly suggestive place that is definitely worth a stop if you want to find yourself completely submerged in the peace and quiet and beauty of the environment all around you.
Go past the church of San Cerbone and take path n. 101 in the direction of the tiny town of [page id="465]Marciana[/page], your starting point for path n° 103 that then leads on to the Madonna del Monte Sanctuary.
The antique path is stone paved and all along you will see 14 votive chapels that represent the stations of the Cross.
The Madonna del Monte Sanctuary is not only a holy and "magical" place but also one of the most antique sanctuaries on the island and is also famous for its historical connection with Napoleon: in 1814, it became Napoleon Bonaparte and his beloved Maria Walewska's home.This choice of where to live on Napoleon's part was not by chance: just off it there is a telegraphic military post built by the French government during the early years of their presence on the island. The post enabled them wide range communication as they made the most of the latest technology of the time. Not only that, thanks to the high position of the Madonna del Monte Sanctuary, the soldiers had a perfect view of the sea all around them, from Capo Corso as far as Piombino and Livorno, hence making it a strategic observation point, perfect from every angle.
Continue past the church and keep going along the path until you reach Serra Ventosa; at this point you will reach the GTE north again so start going downwards towards the town of Patresi.
Once at the town follow the signs for the sea. From here take path marked n. 127 and follow n.127 A that will get you to your final destination: the Beach with the name of Le Buche.
Not far away, you will see the rock known as "Napoleon's Seat".
Napoleon's pathway is a project that has been created thanks to the commitment both on behalf of the Fonte di Zeno B& and the Belmare Hotel that together take care of the upkeeping and looking after the entire route.
Where to sleep?
Hint from Infoelba: Taking into consideration both the length and the difference in height of the entire route we think it might be better if you divide the excursion into two stopping areas so as to make the experience more relaxing and enjoyable. We suggest you spend your first night at the Fonte di Zeno B&Bnear the characteristic, tiny town of Poggio. Once you have completed the excursion, if you wish you can spend your second night in Patresi at the Belmare Hotel. This means you can face up to the hike more pleasantly, and you will be able to fully take in all the natural and historical beautythe itinerary has to offer.
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