In the world of granite - Trekking excursions on the Island of Elba

Departure / Arrival: San Piero
Average time: 4 hours
Length: 9 km
Difficulty: medium
Ascent difference: 346 m
Paths followed: no. 195, no. 133, no. 133A, no. 135B, no. 135, no. 134A, no. 134, no. 134B, no. 134C
Things to see: Sito subappenninico Il Sasso, Sassi Ritti Megalithic Site, Moncione Mill, Villanovian Tomb, Marco's Hut, Ancient Granite Quarries, Pisa Column, The Ship

The “Granite Routes” project covers a historically and archaeologically rich area, full of abandoned quarries, ancient granite works, and prehistoric sites, all accessible through a network of well-marked trails.

The route runs along the southeast slopes of Monte Capanne, an area where several semi-finished granite works can be observed: rough and abandoned columns, altars, and basins, forgotten in what were once ancient quarries, all that remains of the island’s old granite craftsmanship.

Starting from the sports field of San Piero, take the flat trail no. 195 to the left, which initially coincides with the access road to the still active granite quarries. At the first junction, continue left along a dirt road, then take trail no. 133 on the right.

After a short distance, the diversion to trail no. 133A in the area of Il Sasso leads to a panoramic prehistoric site.

The locality Il Sasso was home to a Bronze Age settlement, associated with the so-called Subappenninic culture (1300 - 1150 BC). The people who lived on the slopes of Monte Capanne were primarily engaged in pastoralism and weaving. Their dwellings consisted of elliptical huts with clay-plastered thatched roofs. From the Sasso site, it was possible to visually communicate with other nearby settlements, a strategy common to all Subappenninic settlements in western Elba.

Continuing along trail 133, follow it to another junction with trail no. 135B, which leads north. As you start the ascent, you will encounter the menhirs that give the location its name, I Sassi Ritti.

Once reaching the flat trail no. 135, turn left to the Moncione Mill, the largest mill on Elba, which was in use until 1910. From here, descend on trail no. 134A and then straight ahead on trail no. 134, which leads to the small plateau at Lo Spino, where you’ll find a cassette tomb built with granite slabs, believed by some to date back to the Villanovian period.

This burial technique involved cremating the deceased, whose ashes were placed in a clay urn with a bowl/lid, the so-called biconical urn. A small structure (cassette) made and covered with granodiorite slabs was built around the urn.

From the tomb, return for about 10 minutes, then take the trail no. 134 downhill. At the end of this short descent, trail no. 133 (toward San Piero) leads briefly to the Il Grottino shelter, a small stone structure once used by shepherds.

The shepherd's shelter "Il Grottino" is an example of a caprile built with dry stone walls by shepherd Mamiliano Martorella. It was used as a place for dairy production and storage of tools. This ancient construction technique is representative of similar structures found throughout the Mediterranean.

Returning to the last junction, continue downhill on trail no. 134. Along the path, watch out for some steeper sections, and you will reach Marco’s Hut, one of the most picturesque shepherd shelters on Elba.

After taking a break to enjoy the incredible panorama of Cavoli Beach, Seccheto, and the tip of Fetovaia, follow trail no. 134B to visit the site of the ancient granite quarries, where you can observe the different stages of granite extraction and the quarry working techniques: cuts for block separation, roughing tools, and various semi-finished products at different stages of production. It’s likely that the quarry, opened by the Romans between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, was later exploited by the Pisans between the 11th and 14th centuries.

Resuming the trail no. 134, in about 10 minutes you will reach the diversion for La Macina (no. 134C).

Continuing on the main path, descend until you reach the junction with trail no. 195, which, turning right, will take you to trail no. 195C in about 30 minutes. Here, you’ll find a remarkable rough-hewn column, belonging to the Opera della Primaziale Pisana, as indicated by the inscription “OPE” on it.

Returning along trail no. 195, a final detour along the paved road leads to the ancient granite sculpture of The Ship, possibly the most famous artifact, mentioned by all the travelers who have visited Elba throughout the centuries.

Near a bend in the road, follow the path marked by a barrier that leads to the sculpture at its original extraction site. Afterward, continue along trail no. 195 back to San Piero.