Monte Capanne - Westcoast-Trails
Description
After the start in Marciana alta, the first, sweat-inducing stretch of pushing leads up 200 meters of altitude on the roughly paved Way of the Cross to the Madonna del Monte, the pilgrimage church with the last water source in the Teatro della Fonte. Continuing along the medieval Via Pomontinca, the most ingenious panoramic high-level trail in Elba awaits, far above the Canale di Corsica with distant views of the island of Capraia and the east coast of Corsica. The trail is initially flat as far as Serraventosa and then more challenging down to Sorgente del Bollero (spring, no drinking water). Soon, the last pushing section climbs 140 meters up to the rock formation Il Troppolo (705 meters above sea level), the highest point of the tour, and continues on a good Mulattiera. At the next junction, leave the Via Pomontinca and follow the path towards Semaforo. After a dip with a crossroads, the rideable trail climbs up the ridge to the visible hill with old buildings. The Semaforo di Campo alle Serre was built in 1888 by the Regia Marina on the remains of the old Guardia al Turco (Turkish Guard) and was used by the Royal Navy as a watch, signal, telegram and radio station, then as a weather station until 1953. From the protruding hill, you have the best view of Corsica, Capraia and Pianosa. Back at the crossroads, the crisp descent begins with washed-out gullies, high steps and blocked sections through the high maquis. The vegetation soon thins out again and it is easier to roll along the trail to the coastal village of Chiessi. For the scenic way back, take the coastal road via Colle d'Orano to Patresi and follow the trail alongside the Strada Provinciale to Zanca.
Map & GPX-Track
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Details of the tour
25 km
860 m
860 m
24 above sea level
705 above sea level
1 day
Marciana
Marciana
2660
well suited
More information
Various places to stop for refreshments in Patresi, Chiessi and Zanca
More tours nearby
User comments (5)
Note: This content has been automatically translated from German. Please report any incorrect translations.
After 10 cycling vacations on Elba, this is still the most beautiful and challenging route on the island. It’s certainly easier to ride it on an e-bike, but I’ve also ridden the route quite a few times on a regular bike. The views from the high-altitude trail are amazing, and the technically challenging descent—rated S2/S3—requires good riding skills to really enjoy it. The final stretch to Chiessi is fantastic.
As mentioned by the previous speaker, I would also start the tour in Chiessi. Then you don't have to pedal up at the end. Up to Marciana on tar, then it changes to the hiking trail. Partly really rocky and technical. I can't imagine that this uphill can be fun without an eBike. With an eBike, however, everything is rideable, but for organic bikers, be prepared for a tough climb with lots of pushing. But the downhill afterwards is absolutely awesome, nice and technical but all rideable. Lots of beautiful spots to enjoy & take photos. So it's a worthwhile tour, but one that I would never ride on a BioBike :-)
The circular tour can of course be started at any point, Marciana alta is usually easier to reach by (car) from the other parts of the island than Chiessi.
For BioBikers, the two pushing passages with a maximum of 200 m of crossroads to Madonna del Monte (some sections are rideable) and the approx. shady 140 m up to Il Troppolo are quite bearable, great trails and panoramic views make up for it. We rode this tour regularly with BioBike ... :-)
VG Burkhard
Absolutely recommendable tour. For good and fit bikers, everything is rideable, even the crossroads paved with rough stones. The downhill to Chiessi is an absolute highlight.
Rode today. The tour is more strenuous than the bare figures suggest. Technical up- and downhills. Those who don't like to pedal uphill at the end start in Chiessi.