Elba Trail Area - Buca del Bandito

Departure: Pineta della Panche
Arrival: Magazzini
Length: 5,2 km
Technical difficulty: difficult
Total height difference: 282 m

The route is more suited to well trained bikers who have a good level of technical preparation, are good at cycling both uphill and downhill and are prepared to cycle fast.

This route is considered one of the best, as well as one of the most challenging and varied on the island since it covers various different types of ground.

When you leave from the benches in the Pineta, on the road for Volterraio, the first part of the grit road is uphill, often bumpy so that means it isn't always easy to get a good grip. You'll go downhill very fast then the road is uphill but you will find it difficult to pedal because the climb is very steep so you will have to get off your bike and push it by hand.

From Cima del Monte the panorama is breathtaking and you have a good view of the bay of Portoferraio, Rio Marina, Porto Azzurro and Cavo. Here is when your descent starts: 3,5 km of trail that frequently changes and combines technical parts with flow with different types of scenery all around. The first part is simply epical, over rocks and natural slabs on a steep, tecnical type of ground.

Once you have entered the deep woods the type of ground completely changes and becomes flow, all smooth and flat where there are no rocks but where you keep going uphill and downhill with frequent changes in direction.

The final part is somewhat more technical because at one point you will have to cross a wooden bridge and go over fords, and you will now end up halfway between Bagnaia and Magazzini, two splendid seaside towns.