The Juniper Trail

Departure: Seccheto
Arrival: Marina di Campo
Average time: 3 hours and 30 min
Length: 8.1 km
Elevation gain: 435 m
Trail difficulty: challenging
Trails followed: no. 195, no. 193, no. 192, no. 138
What to observe: junipers (5C, 5E), kiln (5B), granite trails (5A), granite quarrying, flysch (5D)

The Juniper Trail begins near the Seccheto sports ground.

In the first section, the route follows trail no. 195, which is part of the “granite trails”, a network of paths leading to various ancient granite artefacts and prehistoric sites.

Along the route there are 5 posts with QR codes linking to further information about the nature, geology and history of the stage.

The route continues along the panoramic trails no. 193 and then no. 192, characterised by fractured rocks typical of the thermometamorphic ring, until it reaches the paved road, which should be followed for a short stretch.

After taking trail no. 138 at Colle Palombaia, the route leaves the Capanne massif and continues along ridges mainly composed of layers of sedimentary rock. At times, the trail follows the coast overlooking the sea, once covered with cultivated terraces and now overgrown with Mediterranean scrub, where myrtle and mastic predominate. The route then reaches exposed areas along the cliffs, where spectacular and valuable specimens of Phoenician juniper and luxuriant rosemary bushes can be admired, alternating with the woodland vegetation of the northern slopes.

A short detour along trail no. 139 offers a fantastic panoramic view over the bay of Marina di Campo, extending across the entire southern coast of Elba and towards the islands of Giglio, Montecristo and Pianosa.

It is also possible to see the Capo Poro lighthouse and visit the military positions dating back to the Second World War.

Returning to trail no. 138, the route reaches a point above Galenzana beach, before descending towards the oldest part of the village of Marina di Campo and its beach.