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General Information
This
tour is a great opportunity to see another side of Tuscany. Don’t be
put off by the likes of Napolean who couldn’t wait to get off this
island and go back to France! On this tour, like our Cinque Terre (JCT)
because you are based in one place, we can offer a great selection of
different walks. Elba is heaven not only for those who love beaches, creeks
and bays;
but also for hikers as you can start your walk from the sea level
and, for example, in a couple of hours, reach the alpine scenery of the
Monte Capanne at more than 1000 metres. The excursions we suggest that
you do, cross the east side of the Island and the granite area of the
west coast. But if it is too hot, or you just want a more sedentary rest,
you can head for the beach or maybe have a round of golf, go horse riding
or have a thermal treatment.
Season
Any date from beginning of March to end of
June and from the 10th of September to the end of November. It will be
too hot to walk in July and August.
The
climate on Elba is generally much warmer and dryer than in Tuscany. It is
more comparable to south-Italy.
Level of Difficulty
Grade: Moderate. There are some steep hills, some paths with rough
surfaces, and some longish days.
Fitness: A high standard of fitness
is not necessary, you can choose between several excursions with different
grades. But in order to make the most of the spectacular walks, you should
be able to walk for 7 hours a day in hot sun, even in spring or autumn,
on tracks and paths with long ascents. Being prepared for a range of temperatures
on a walk, and being sensibly
dressed, with good boots, a sun hat and having enough water are very important
things on this trip.
Waymarking: The routes are waymarked with
red/white signs and numbers, sometimes also with green signs. It is however necessary to follow
the route descriptions provided together with the maps.
Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis in a 3 star hotel
with en suite facilities. Dinners
are not included. We can book you in for your evening meals, but
you may wish to choose where
you eat each evening. We will provide you with a list of places to eat
at. Picnic lunches are not included in the tour price,
but materials for picnics can be purchased in Portoferraio or in the villages
where you start your walk.
Please note that according to Italian Law, all hotels must close
their restaurants on one night each week.
Nights
1 - 5: are spent on your request in a up-graded
four star hotel adjoining the thermal baths of San.Giovanni, specializing
in mud treatments, or in a three star hotel close to the centre of Portoferraio.
The
up-graded hotel offers you a long list of services, from thermal treatments,(especially
enjoyable after a long walk) to a boat service to the next beach, tennis,
bikes (all included) and restaurant. The rooms provided have a balcony
or terrace, facing a huge surrounding garden and the sea. Rooms have air-conditioning,
private facilities, TV, and phone.
Our
standard 3 star hotel is located near the city centre, and has a nice
view overlooking the sea side, a surrounding garden and direct access to the beach. All
rooms are provided with private bath, TV, and phone.
Extra Nights
It
is possible to do other walking excursion options, as you can alternate
your walks
with several other activities (local payment
will be involved). These include
golf, horse riding, kayaking, sailing, mountain biking, climbing
and
boat excursions, six days will never be enough!
On Self-guided holidays we provide you with .
. .
Route notes and maps.
Escorted Departures
If you have a group we can arrange a customized escorted departure
with an experienced and knowledgeable leader.
Arrival
The tour starts in Portoferraio, which
is connected by ferry boats with Piombino in 1 hour or with hydrofoil
in 30 mins. The harbour in Piombino is reachable by train from Pisa:
Journey time 2 -2.5 hours,
or Rome, journey time 3.5 - 4 hours. Elba can
be reached also by aircraft. For a car service from Pisa to Piombino
(1.5 hours drive) please contact Sherpa who can organize this on your
behalf.Our local team provides transfers from/to the
main airports and railway stations of Italy at cheap fares: check
our offer.
End of Tour
The tour ends after breakfast on day 6 in
Portoferraio. The ferry boat will bring you back to Piombino, from here
the train departs for Pisa or Rome.Our
local team provides transfers from/to the main airports and railway stations
of Italy at cheap fares: check
our offer.
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ITINERARY
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Day 1: Travel
to Portoferraio - the island
is connected by ferry boats to the mainland,
there are two companies operating this,
every 40 minutes. The ships take 1 hour
to cover the route between Piombino and
Portoferraio. Alternatively there are also
some hydrofoils running. To reach Piombino
from Pisa there are some direct trains running,
otherwise you need to change once in Castellina
Marittima, from where a regular bus service
is running. The journey time is between
2 and 3 hours.
From Rome trains pass
through Grosseto and Castellina Marittima.
The journey time from Rome is between 3.5 and
4 hours. The hotels in Portoferraio are 10 -15 minutes
walk away, alternatively you can get a taxi,
which will get you to your destination
in 5 minutes.
Note: Days
2 - 5
can be taken in any order. Other walks
not described are also possible, as are horse
riding, diving, boat excursions to the other
surrounding islands and golf.
Day 2: Bus or boat to
Cavo in the iron
mine area of Elba, in the north-east of
the island. From here there is a long walk
on the ridge of the mountains known as Grosso,
Strega, Capannello and Cima del Monte, reaching
516m above sea level. The magnificent 360
degree view is unique and gives a good idea
about the lay out of the Tuscan archipelago.
Before descending to the monastery of the
Madonna del Monserrato with a view facing
the ruins of Volterraio. A fortress
built in 1200 by
the Pisans that was never conquered. You eventually
reach Porto Azzurro, a pleasant small village
surmounted by the Spanish fortress built
to guard the gulf and harbour where their
ships where based. This is a long walk,
19km but can be divided into two parts,
finishing the walk at Rio nell’Elba.
Day 3: In 25 mins
by bus you will reach the hamlet of Capolivieri,
which by
itself is already a worthy excursion.
From here
a more gentle circular walk on the
south east part of Elba begins.
There are old mines to visit and a splendid
view of the island of Montecristo (as in
Count of!) and Pianosa. How about a bath
before finishing the tour? There are several
bays and creeks where you could have a swim.
This all makes for
a very pleasant and relaxing walk
of only 9km.
Day 4: Take a bus to San Piero,
a small village
at the foot of the Monte Capanne, the highest
peak of the island. A gentle walk of 12km
leads you through the granite area, along
the south west coast, passing over the ridge
of Monte Cenno. Along this walk you find
several “Caprili” arch tower houses built
around 200-300B.C. these are
typical constructions built by the Sardinians.
There are also “Nuraghi”,
shelters built much later on, where the
shepherd and their animals find a refuge
in the night. The incredible silence of
this area makes it possible to come across
some mouflons (mountain sheep) and wild-boars.
The walk ends at Fetovaia, a small
heavenly bay with
pale
blue water and fine sand.
Day 5: Another
relaxing walk, with not such a big
ascent, through the central area of Elba,
where the famous Alleatico wine is cultivated.
Along the walk you will pass some farmhouses
where you can test the local wines, their
honey and the olive oil. This time you cross
the island from the north coast to the southern
one, passing through San Martino and
the summer residence of Napoleon,
at Monte Fonza.
This walk permits you to visit all the different
types of scenery found upon the island.
Day 6: The tour
ends after breakfast.
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photos
by Ingo Hans
Olie
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