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Starting point: Cavo
Ending point: Porto Azzurro
Distance: 18.5 km
Elevation: 496 m
Recommended detours: Mausoleo Tonietti, Eremo di Santa Caterina, Orto dei Semplici
The GTE trail begins from the village of Cavo, the northernmost village close to the mainland. From Cavo's seafront, follow a signposted road that takes you to the entrance of a trail in just a few minutes.
After approximately 1.5 km, you will reach a junction. Turning right onto the path, a short detour will allow you to admire the Mausoleo Tonietti, the only Art Nouveau monument on the island. After returning to the junction, continue on the GTE trail.
After passing Monte Lentisco and Serrone, the first challenging climb leads to the summit of Monte Grosso at 344 meters above sea level, where "Il Semaforo" once stood, an important military observation post that has since been converted into a luxurious residence.
From the summit, there is an incredible view: to the east, the village of Cavo, the three small islands between Elba and the mainland: Topi, Palmaiola, and Cerboli, and beyond the Piombino Channel, the Italian coast; to the west, the entire northern side of the Elban coast.
Next, you descend a steep slope until reaching the provincial road of Parata. The trail crosses Valle delle Fiche with a pleasant series of ups and downs, eventually reaching the Aia di Cacio area where the path meets the road leading to Nisporto and Nisportino.
From here, in just a few minutes, you can reach the Orto dei Semplici and the Eremo di Santa Caterina.
After crossing the road, return to the trail and face the second climb of the day: a short but steep rocky section leading to Monte Strega (427 m), followed by a pleasant traverse with spectacular views of Rio Elba. Next, you reach Passo della Croce (342 m) and climb again to Monte Capannello (408 m), another great viewpoint where you can see both the eastern and western sides of the island.
A few meters lower, the trail leads to the Pineta delle Panche, from where the ascent resumes towards the highest peak on this side: Cima del Monte, at 502 meters. Once you reach the summit, the view is majestic, dominating the entire eastern Elba, and in particular the Volterraio Castle and the Portoferraio bay.
After descending with a view of Porto Azzurro, you will soon cross junctions with trails number 220 and number 205 (for experienced hikers), leading to the Santuario della Madonna di Monserrato.
Continuing on the GTE, after approximately 15.5 km from the start, you will reach the junction with trail number 210, which meanders through vineyards and in about 30 minutes reaches [page id="470"]Porto Azzurro.
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