Via del Mirto

Departure: Procchio
Arrival: Marciana Marina
Average time needed: 3 hours
Length: 9km
Uphill difference in level: 365 m
Route difficulty: challenging
Route tracks: GTE, n. 180, n. 181
strong>What to look out for:

Via del Mirto starts in the town of Procchio. Follow the main road briefly in the direction of Marina di Campo then take the GTE track and start going uphill towards Mount Castello passing through a patch of myrtle, lentisk and strawberry tree.

Near the archaeology site, hidden among the Mefiterranean bush, you will see the remains of an old Etruscan fortress, built in a strategic position that looks down over the gulf in Procchio to the north and Marina di Campo to the south.

The track then goes slightly downwards until you reach the junction of Colle Reciso, and from here, after having left the GTE and following the track n. 180, the enire route becomes more open and scenic until Salicastro. Then the route narrows down and you cross an area full of strawberry bush trees.

This track, used daily by farmers and shepherds in the past, is now mostly in the shade although occasionally it grants you beautiful scenic views of the northern coast of Elba with the mainland in the distance.

When you get to the junction of Madonna del Buonconsiglio you go uphill and briefly follow the main road then take track n. 181>.

This route continues downhill to Lavacchio Valley that is characterized by the strong perfume of the myrtle until you get to Marciana Marina. Once at the town go along the ancient lanes that once connected the countryside to the town, and then that's you on the beachfront.