Grande Traversata Elbana - All Mountain edition - 3 giorni

Five years after the last tour to the Island of #elba(https://itinerari.mtb-mag.com/tours/view/18313) we decide for Easter to do the classic 3-day Elban Tour again. The tour (always counterclockwise) will involve arriving in Cavo on the morning of the first day by hydrofoil (tickets can only be made that morning directly at the port). Return will be on the evening of the third day by the last ferry at 6 p.m., from Rio Marina to Piombino.

Fixed points of the itinerary are the classic, very scenic descent to Pomonte, exploration of the Nisportino trail, and a few trails we have never tried before. To tackle the adventure we decide to avail ourselves of full bikes, an apt choice as we have on several occasions had to push or even shoulder (the section to climb from the Nisportino cove) our bikes.

The 1st stage involves starting to climb along the ring of Capo Vita, reaching Monte Lentisco and visiting the Tonietti Mausoleum (first tenant of the Elban mines). Shortly after the mausoleum the fun begins on the first trail, Dolium, which features several man-made structures (including a pump track-like section) alternating with interesting natural passages. Determined to try the Nisportino trail, we avoid the ascent/descent of the Monte Grosso traffic light (already tested in the past) and head on asphalt to the junction that will take us down a nice steep descent to a wonderful cove. Taking a few photos, we realize that the only way to leave the cove is to do 150 meters of bike on the shoulder (those who want to avoid this section can do Monte Grosso and then cut back to the Monte Serra parking lot to pick up the trail again), followed by a stretch of ridge plumb to the sea and a now fun descent that takes us right to the beach at Nisportino.

We ascend on asphalt to the junction for the hermitage of Santa Caterina, where at the first hairpin bend we take the Mezza Strega trail that will take us to the pass above Volterraio (photo obligatory) from which we take the dirt road that climbs first to Monte Stella and then to the Cima del Monte (here because of the type of bottom the last bit we will have to push). From the 515m of Cima del Monte now awaits us the Buca del Bandito trail (worked and in general very flowing) that will take us back to altitude 0 asl in the locality of Magazzini, where a beer by the sea will be a must.

We continue in the direction of the Colle Reciso/Buca di Bomba road to take the Calabrone trail (found this year cleaned up and very fun) that takes us quickly to Colle di Procchio where we climb again, in front of the go-kart track, in the direction of the Redinoce road that takes us toward Poggio. Before the village we turn right downhill, following the signs for Marciana Marina, and take the Sentiero dei Profumi that will take us directly to the sea where we will drink our second beer of the day.

The 2nd stage starts from Marciana Marina in the direction of Il Poggio (here there is a mini market to supply water and also a bakery for some excellent focaccia) first, and we then follow for Monte Perone along the Spaccagambe climb. Halfway up the climb we take the Neviera trail, scenic over the Gulf of Marciana, passing under the Capanne bidonvia (and nice technical in the final part!) and joining the via crucis that culminates at the Sanctuary of Madonna del Monte.

Here a midslope trail bordered by boulders reminiscent of various animals will take us in the direction of Troppolo to graft onto the downhill trail on Pomonte. The first bit is a bit neglected and overgrown (many shrubs will want to hug you) but then from mid-descent down we found the trail clean. The descent is not particularly technical, nothing difficult ... but it is still very tiring, and will accompany you to Pomonte with a hunger and thirst of a certain level, which the two bars/ice cream parlors in the square will still manage to quench.

Cooked by the descent, we indulge in a transfer of a few kilometers on asphalt (if you want to, there are pleasant variants to the right and left; you can consider doing them depending on your level of cooking) that takes us with a few digressions (something to push to reach the top of Monte Turato) to Marina di Campo, where you can find several ice cream shops and bakeries to stock up.

Skirting the airport we go to take the last climb of the day, the Literno dirt road, which will bring us back to the Colle Reciso road from which we will take the last descent of the day, the Serra del Pero, which in a fun and fast way takes us to Lacona where we will spend the second night.

The 3rd stage involves spending almost the entire day on the trails of the Calamita promontory, starting in Capoliveri where we can have breakfast. Along the trails of the "bike park" we find many types of cross-country and all-pedalable trails that will really make us breathe in the Legend Cup atmosphere to the fullest.

Half past, it's time to get back on the path to the ferry, but not without a few more little gems (see Cape Pearl). Coming down from the Calamita we touch Fort Focardo and reach Porto Azzurro where we can have lunch with a schiaccina and beer. Once refreshed, for a quiet digestion we go to visit the small sea view lake Terranera (striking pier). Nearly 1 km after the pond, be careful to take the road on the right through a gate, it will make the Capo d'Arco area stay low which will then take us to Ortano beach.

Last effort up to the Monte Fico quarry, and we see below us the ferry at Rio Marina. A quiet descent with a finale on steps takes us straight to the harbor (there are several bars and ice cream parlors if you should pass the time while waiting for the ferry).

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Detail Stages

1' Stage: Cavo - Marciana Marina * 51km x 1750m D+

2' Stage: Marciana Marina - Lacona * 54.5km x 1700m D+

3' Stage: Lacona - Rio Marina * 55km x 1700m D+

A few photos to tempt you here