Mountain biking on the Island of Elba

Let’s start with the “simple” things, that is, the paths for those who are beginners with this sport. The first route that we suggest you do is the one that, from the municipality of Capoliveri, leads to the Costa dei Gabbiani, on Mount Calamita. The road is all flat and along the road you can have the opportunity to see the remains of the ancient mines and also make a stop at the Mining Museum that you will easily see along the way. The panorama is all sea view, it will fascinate you to see Corsica, Pianosa and Montecristo and, in the clearest days, the Giglio Island and the Argentario.

Also on Monte Calamita, in Capoliveri, we point out the presence of a Bike Park, or 5 permanent routes that develop for more than 100 km of paths and wonderful interchangeable roads between them. Each route has a specific color (from the easiest to the most difficult) and is signaled, on the territory, by several signs indicating the direction to follow, a number referring to the point where the signal is placed, so that it can be identified on the map, and the name of the place where it is located.

Portoferraio – Colle Reciso – Monte Orello

A medium difficulty road articulated on a path for the most part unpaved: about 16 kilometers to do in about an hour and a half. It starts from Portoferraio for Colle Reciso, arrived at the height of the stone quarries, take the path on the left that leads to “Buca di Bomba“, the point where the borders of 4 municipalities cross. A few more pedaling and we arrived at Monte Orello. Among the different paths that the area offers, always totally immersed in nature, you can decide to go to the Church of Santa Lucia, continue to the old windmill and see the splendid gulf of Portoferraio.

Elba in the west– This path is really long and demanding and winds through asphalt, path and forest tracks. From Marina di Campo, take the national road to Portoferraio and follow the signs for Sant’Ilario.From here there is a dirt road that leads to Monte Perone; continuing you will come across a source located in the point called “Castagnone”. Once you get here we recommend you take the path called “Zucca 1” and then the path number 7 that takes you to the magnificent village of San Piero. From San Piero, surely tired, you return to Marina di Campo.

These paths that we have suggested are just some of those you can do; when we tell you that the Island of Elba is a paradise for Mountain Bikers we don‘t say it just to attract your attention, but because it is pure truth.

To help you choose, we suggest you download an application called Trail Forks where there are many MTB routes with reviews, maps, and all the useful information to know.

The night trip is an adrenaline excursion that from July until September, thanks to the initiative of the Capoliveri Bike Park, is organized every Thursday evening in Capoliveri. These excursions, truly one of a kind, allow you to see things from another perspective, in the moonlight between the crickets and the singing of the nocturnal birds of prey, the territory that you might have observed in the sunlight, now appears new (and still fascinating) in your eyes. This excursion is open to everyone, beginners and not, and if you do not have a suitable bicycle available, you can rent it on departure.

140 km of wonderful ride, with departure and arrival from Capoliveri. From the hill of Capoliveri, you arrive at Porto Azzurro and continue towards Rio Marina. After that, a beautiful climb separates us from the symbolic fortress of the Island of Elba: the Volterraio Castle. We lose a few minutes to observe one of the most beautiful masterpieces of nature (the view from here is truly magnificent) and then descend to the crossroads of Schiopparello.From here we follow the signs for Portoferraio and once you reach the first traffic light, you turn left towards the Lacona beach and continue on what is called the “monument road”. We are cycling along the west coast, and the aim is to get to the medieval Marciana, and then continue to Poggio. From Poggio go down towards Marciana Marina and from here continue towards Portoferraio and then to Capoliveri.

Our guests/students if they want to rent a MTB will be able to take advantage of the agreement with RENT BIKE.