19 km
Distance
5 days · 3 walking
Duration
Moderate
Difficulty
May
Season
Three days of walking on the largest island of the Tuscan Archipelago: the Volterraio Castle, the Sanctuary of Monserrato and the panoramic trail above the Golfo Stella, through Mediterranean scrub with the sea always in sight.
Three days on the largest island of the Tuscan Archipelago, between panoramic trails, a medieval castle and Mediterranean scrub. The walks are separate outings linked by a coach with driver: you walk, you visit, you return to the hotel.
Highlights
Volterraio Castle
A medieval fortress on a rocky spur, looking out over the Gulf of Portoferraio and, on clear days, as far as Capraia and Corsica. The guided visit closes the first day of walking.
The Sanctuary of Monserrato
Set in a valley among rocks, cypresses and Mediterranean scrub, about three kilometres from Porto Azzurro. The goal of the second day.
The Golfo Stella
The panoramic trail on the third day opens onto the gulf and the beach at Lacona at the same time, crossing scrubland for almost its whole length.
How it works
Private groups with a minimum of eight participants, moving between stages by coach with driver. May and September are the months to choose, when the weather is mild and the scrub is less parched.
Good to know
Several stretches are exposed to the sun with no shade: a hat and sun cream are essential even outside the summer months.
The programme may change according to weather conditions.
The route, stage by stage
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Day 1 — Volterraio Castle
4 km · +220 m · 1h30–2h · km 4
From the main square of Rio nell'Elba we climb towards Le Panche, then follow the GTE to the top and drop down to the scenic road, picking up the Volterraio path. Guided visit to the castle, then the descent to the meeting point at the SP 32 junction.
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Day 2 — Sanctuary of Monserrato
3 km · +150/200 m · 45–60 min · km 3
We start from the centre of Porto Azzurro towards Barbarossa beach, reaching the sanctuary after 45 to 60 minutes. A route suited to almost everyone, with a few sun-exposed stretches.
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Day 3 — Golfo Stella from Capostella
7–8 km · +200/300 m · 2h · km 7.5
Coach transfer from Porto Azzurro to Lacona. From the car park near the Hotel Capo di Stella we take the panoramic trail, with views over the Golfo Stella and Lacona beach at the same time.
Stops and refreshments
- Rio nell'Elba
- Starting point of the first day.
- Porto Azzurro
- Base for the second day and start of the third.
- Lacona
- Goal of the third day, reached by coach from Porto Azzurro.
What to bring
Multi-day treks- Hiking boots with a lugged sole
- Hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream: many stretches are fully exposed
- Swimwear, for a dip at the end of the day
- Water, at least 1.5 litres per person
- Small daypack
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