The route with iron footholds on Monte Capanne - Path No. 100

The "Massimo Russo" route with iron footholds on Monte Capanne

The trail no. 100 is the only route in the Elba trail network classified as EEA (equipped expert hikers). Access requires appropriate equipment.

It is a particularly challenging trail. The walking surface is often made slippery by humidity, and there are several narrow passages between rock pinnacles, overhanging slopes and vertical climbs where maximum attention is required. Some very dangerous exposed sections are present and, if tackled without the necessary experience and equipment, can be extremely risky; for this reason a via ferrata has been installed along these stretches. This is why the route is also known as the Monte Capanne via ferrata.

Trail no. 100 runs along the ridges of the island’s highest peaks, following a truly suggestive route. Experienced hikers who decide to follow it with the necessary precautions will enjoy a breathtaking panorama, revealing during the ascent all the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago and Corsica. The vegetation is typical of rocky cliffs, adapted to particularly harsh environmental conditions.

This is a key junction in the Elba trail network; it intersects the GTE at both ends and near Le Filicaie, just a few dozen metres from the GTE junction.

The Monte Capanne via ferrata is dedicated to the memory of Massimo Russo, athlete and organiser of trail running races, well known on the Island of Elba and beyond.

Departure: Monte Perone
Arrival: Marciana, Fortezza Pisana
Average time: Trail no. 100 – 3 h 40 min / entire route 6 h 05
Length: Trail no. 100 – 3.56 km
Elevation difference: 244 m
Total ascent: 336 m
Total descent: 175 m
Trails followed: GTE, no. 100, GTE north, no. 110, no. 103
Trail difficulty: EEA Equipped Expert Hikers

To reach trail no. 100, it is necessary to go to the equipped area of Monte Perone and from there follow the GTE along the Butterfly Trail. After about 1.5 km, once Monte Maolo has been passed at an altitude of 749 m, the junction with trail no. 100 is reached, where the via ferrata begins.

After about one hour, trail no. 100 leads to the first spectacular summit of Le Calanche (897 m).

At Le Calanche there is a junction with trail no. 123, a 700 m route that connects with trail no. 107; by taking it and turning north, the route returns to the GTE near Monte Perone, forming a circular itinerary.

Continuing along trail no. 100, the route remains at altitude up to Le Filicaie (894 m), then descends slightly to the panoramic pass of Foce delle Filicaie, also known as Malpasso. Afterwards the trail climbs again along another via ferrata up to Monte Capanne, the highest peak on the island.

From Monte Capanne, continuing along trail no. 100, the route becomes much more demanding. The path continues along the slopes towards Monte di Cote, passing through La Galera (967 metres), with two granite ridges that from below resemble the bow of a ship, and La Tavola (935 metres), where the ridge becomes wider.

Here, near the end of trail no. 100, the remains of a goat shelter can be found.

At La Tavola it is necessary to start descending along the GTE North, which shortly leads to trail no. 110 to be followed until trail no. 103, arriving at the Fortezza Pisana of Marciana.