On the summit of Isola d'Elba - Trekking excursion on Isola d'Elba

Trail no. 101 is the main route up to the summit of Monte Capanne. The route climbs the northern slopes of the mountain massif until it reaches the summit at 1019 m, the roof of the Tuscan Archipelago.

Interesting fact: Monte Capanne, at 1019 m a.s.l., is the highest peak on Isola d'Elba and also in the entire province of Livorno.

The route starts from the medieval village of Marciana, near the Sant’Agabito gate.

The trail climbs gently through a lush chestnut wood that provides shade from the sun, making the walk pleasant even in summer.

After about 1.5 km, once past a small ruin, at an altitude of 506 m, there is a turn-off on the right leading to the Grotta di San Cerbone, the small cave where, according to tradition, the Saint lived during his stay on the island, until 10 October 575, the date of his death.

Returning to trail no. 101, the route passes beneath the cables of the cable car and reaches the Romitorio di San Cerbone, built in 1421 near the cave where the hermit withdrew during the final period of his life.

The trail remains at a not too demanding gradient for a little longer. Shortly before meeting the northern GTE, the steepest part of the route begins and, from here to the summit, it should only be tackled by trained hikers.

After crossing the northern GTE for the second time, it takes more than another 40 minutes of walking to reach the summit, along sunny, panoramic ramps, where the granite slopes become exposed and the vegetation becomes sparse. In some sections, the walking surface consists of steep “macei”, landslides of large granite slabs that have broken away from the slopes above due to the action of weathering.

Once at the summit, the effort is amply rewarded by the priceless 360° view over the whole of Elba and a panorama that takes in Corsica, the Tuscan Archipelago and much of the coast.

infoelba recommends: To reach Monte Capanne, it is also possible to follow trail no. 100, for equipped expert hikers.

Taking trail no. 101 again as far as the junction with the northern GTE, the route descends quickly to the GTE fork, at Passo delle Filicaie (870 m), a small plateau halfway between Capanne and Monte Calanche.

Continue on the southern GTE towards the rock shelters of Colle della Grottaccia (647 m), crossing the bare ridge of the Cenno, where mouflons live undisturbed under the watchful eye of buzzards and peregrine falcons, until reaching the ancient stone village of Le Mure (631 m), the largest high-altitude fortification on Elba. The village, inhabited by Villanovan populations, was destroyed in 453 BC by the Syracusans and never rebuilt. Much of the original defensive wall and numerous worked stones remain, reused in later periods by shepherds to build goat pens and enclosures.

The descent continues into the Poio valley, crossed by a stream rich in water even during the summer, in an evocative succession of small waterfalls and pools. This large valley overlooking Pomonte has, over the centuries, been entirely terraced from the sea up to 640 metres in altitude and cultivated with vineyards, today largely abandoned but still bearing witness to the immense efforts of Elban farmers.

The itinerary ends in Pomonte, among the white little houses overlooking a dreamlike sea.

infoelba recommends: From Monte Capanne, it is also possible to take trail no. 101 again, as far as the second junction with the northern GTE (the first one encountered on the way up), which should be taken to the left. Continue to the fork with trail no. 110, which is taken downhill, and then to no. 103, which quickly leads to Marciana.