Grande Traversata Elbana

Spectacular, difficult and demanding, the Grande Traversata Elbana (GTE) is the main itinerary that crosses the entire ridge of the Isola d'Elba. It is one of the most significant hiking routes on the island, both for its duration and for the variety of the route and the views: an experience full of atmosphere.

Starting from the villages at the north-eastern end and passing over the hills that form the backbone of the island, it reaches the western coast of Elba. The route follows the paths that for centuries were the safe routes used by the Elbans to travel from Cavo, at the northern edge of the iron lands, to the distant granite lands (Pomonte or Patresi).

Interesting fact: the GTE route was first designed by Renato Giombini and Mario Ferrari in the 1980s. Over time it has become a classic of international hiking for its technical features and its scenic, natural and cultural value. The reason for the two finish points, Pomonte / Patresi, lies in the fact that at the time the first village was the terminus of the bus line and the second was home to the only hotel open all year round.

The GTE starts from the village of Cavo and, following the ridge, heads west, above the village of Porto Azzurro; it continues inland until it climbs up Monte Perone. It then reaches the foot of the summit of Monte Capanne, at a place called Passo delle Filicaie or Malpasso, where it splits into two branches. Of these: one route embraces Monte Capanne, cutting across the northern slope, and ends on the provincial road at Patresi, in the Mortaio area; the other heads south and reaches the village of Pomonte following the mountain ridge that separates the valley of the same name from Vallebuia.

Along the route, the scenery ranges from sea to hills and mountains, passing through the island's ecosystems and its natural and scenic heritage, with one of the most fascinating views offered by the Italian mountains: towards Corsica, the Tuscan islands and the Italian peninsula.

GTE south route: Cavo – Pomonte

GTE north route: Cavo – Patresi

Infoelba recommends: The GTE can also be followed starting from the western coast of the Isola d'Elba and continuing to Cavo. Even when following this route, it is advisable to divide the walk into three stages. From Patresi to Cavo, some accommodation facilities have organised themselves to offer specific services for hikers. In particular, Hotel Belmare in Patresi, Agriturismo Fonte di Zeno in Lavacchio and B&B Capo Pero in Rio Marina offer free luggage transport, agreements with ferry companies for discounts on ferry tickets and with taxi services.

A few tips

• The route is fully marked with signs and information panels and can also be downloaded free of charge from Avenza Maps.
• Bear in mind that along the route there is a considerable elevation gain; furthermore, the lack of refuges or bivouacs, the ban on wild camping and the limited opportunities to obtain water make the route long and demanding.
• To avoid making it excessively tiring, and to fully enjoy the beauty of the island's landscapes, colours and scents, the best option is to divide it into several stages, making detours in search of accommodation for the night. Several connecting routes allow detours towards the villages, where you can spend the night or use public transport to return to your place of stay.
• Our advice is to divide the route into three days, stopping at Porto Azzurro and Procchio (if you decide to take the GTE north, four days may also be needed).
• During the winter period, it is not so much the cold as the reduced hours of daylight that make it difficult to set out on the GTE routes, while in the heat of summer it is far better to dive into the crystal-clear waters of the sea surrounding the island. The best periods to tackle the GTE are therefore definitely spring and autumn, which offer the intoxicating scents of flowering Mediterranean scrub: the yellow of the broom, the blue sea, the grey of the granite.

Interesting fact: the GTE route record on the section from Cavo to Pomonte is 4h50'13", set by Elban Matteo Anselmi, who in 2023 beat his already exceptional 2021 performance by 27 minutes (5h17'06").