Cala Violina trail area: trail vista mare tra natura e tecnica

A ride through the Cala Violina trail area—a place that captivates with the natural character of its trails, its technical challenges that are never mundane, and, above all, the stunning views that accompany much of the tour, with the sea serving as a constant backdrop. It’s the ideal setting for those who love mountain biking away from man-made trails, with a mix of singletrack, rocky sections, and fun, fast-flowing stretches. Finding your way around the bike park isn’t exactly straightforward, though: the trail network is quite complex and offers numerous variations, both downhill and uphill. We therefore recommend carefully planning your route on a map before setting out and then relying on your GPS to follow the trail without missing any of the connections.

Our ride starts from the parking lot at the Marina di Scarlino harbor. From here, take the CAI 1 forest trail, which leads to the beautiful beach at Cala Violina. Continue along the coast until you spot the extremely steep CAI 8 climb on your left: a challenging stretch, characterized by rocky and uneven terrain, that ascends toward Poggio Carpineta. In some spots, you’ll need to dismount and push your bike for short stretches. Once you reach the ridge, continue on CAI 3 toward Poggio La Guardia. The final climb is definitely challenging, but it remains rideable on an e-bike for those who still have some energy left in their legs. Once at the top, turn right onto a fun and fast singletrack—the first part of “The Guardian”—which descends back onto the CAI 3 trail, just a bit further north than the previous junction. Then turn left and tackle the traverse until you reach the CAI 11 trail, known as Torretta. Here, the character of the descent changes: the trail becomes more technical and dynamic, with a stony surface, small rocks, and steps alternating with fun, flowing sections. An interesting mix that requires careful line selection but also offers some great riding moments.

At the intersection with CAI 3, keep left and continue on CAI 12, the Sentinel, another singletrack that leads back to CAI 1 and, in terms of characteristics and trail surface, closely resembles the Torretta. Once you reach CAI 1, turn left and follow the dirt road, this time also passing through Foce dell’Alma. Continue along CAI 1 until you rejoin the Torretta, tackling its second section until the next junction with the main trail. At this point, you’ll change elevation again by taking CAI 2A, which leads you back up toward Poggio La Guardia without reaching the summit.

From here, head back downhill on the full Torretta trail, tackling the entire route all the way to CAI 1. All that’s left is to follow CAI 1 to complete the return to the parking lot at the Marina di Scarlino harbor. A varied and enjoyable route that alternates between decidedly challenging climbs, technical singletrack, and smoother sections—all set amid Mediterranean scrub and accompanied by splendid views of the sea. A trail area with an authentic and natural character, where navigation skills and riding ability are essential to fully enjoying the experience.