Giro dell' Elba tappa 1: Protoferraio - Secchetto

Moderately challenging MTB cycling/hiking route in 3 days on the perimeter of the Isle of #elba, between lightly used asphalt (despite the month of August), dirt roads and trails. The climbs are not long but the gradient is always over 10%, the numerical elevation gain underestimates the actual physical effort. Transfer to and from Piombino by ferry (bike only).

Day 1 - Portoferraio-Seccheto - 50km and 1100m elevation gain

Day 1 involves arriving on the island by ferry and transferring on busy asphalt for only 7km uphill to divert onto dirt road that becomes a narrow path through the trees to avoid a gate, picking up the narrow road again to descend almost to Guardiola (by the sea), diverting left onto tabbed path to Procchio and onto scenic asphalt on the coast to Marciana Marina, where the climb begins with steep ramps, first on open-air asphalt and then on uneven dirt road through the woods to Poggio, a lovely hamlet with panoramic views, short ascent to Marciana and descent on the paved coast cin exceptional views on the little-used west side, with only one short ascent to reach Chiessi, Pomonte (with its sunken wreck visible a few meters away) and Fetovaia beach thronged with tourists. The road gets busier but in a few kilometers you reach Seccheto, a beautiful bay with a small beach

Second stage