THE GREAT ELBA CROSSING WITH PADBIKE
Photo by Max Draeger. Reading time 8min
Who doesn't know Elba? The "rock", as our guide Michele affectionately calls the island, has become an unmissable destination for many mountain bike enthusiasts in recent years.
Although the island of the Tuscan Archipelago is relatively small, it has an extremely varied morphology. In just a few kilometers the landscape and terrain change completely: from the thick fern woods of Monte Capanne to the arid rocky ridges of Cima del Monte, passing through the Martian landscapes of the disused mines of the Capoliveri Bike Park, or through the ancient fortifications built with immense stone boulders in the Bike Land West Elba.
With its over 200 single trails overlooking the sea, a question arises spontaneously:
but what are the most spectacular MTB trails on the Island of Elba?
It is precisely to answer this question that Elias, Lytia, Maria, Max and I set off from the port of Piombino towards what we consider in retrospect to be the most beautiful mountain bike experience of our lives: the Great Crossing of Elba.
I'm talking about a traveling Mountain Bike Tour of over 120 kilometers to be covered in 3 or 5 days, in which we will tour the entire island with the aim of revealing its most unique and lesser-known corners.
All this was possible thanks to the masterly organization of the Padbike staff who, from the local guide to the transfers, from the accommodation to the luggage transport, left nothing to chance during this two-wheeled adventure, freeing us from the hassle of having to organize everything.
Before continuing we would like to underline that the most beautiful MTB trails we have selected on Elba are based on our subjective choices. Each rider has specific preferences dictated by many factors and for this reason we invite each of you readers to visit this magical island to discover what your favorite trails are.
From Portoferraio to Marina di Campo by MTB
Along the magical Single Trails of West Elbe
(↑ 1200m, → 40km)
Let's go!
After disembarking in Portoferraio and loading your luggage on the transfer that will take you directly to your destination,Let's meet Michele, the guide of the Padbike staff which will introduce us to the most iconic corners of the island. With more than 8 years of experience, he knows the Elba trails like the back of his hand.
As we leave Portoferraio behind in the direction of Enfola along a dirt road overlooking the sea, the guide Michele explains to us how the Great Crossing of Elba is not a journey suitable for everyone. Although it can be made less demanding, this tour in stages requires good training and a decent driving technique.«It's a completely different story if it's done with an E-MTB» continues Michele. «In that case everything becomes less demanding». Unfortunately or fortunately, however, this was not our case.
After passing theNapoleon's Villa we start to really climb to reach theMonte Perone and then Masso alla Quata, located at 746m above sea level. The view is breathtaking and totally justifies the 600m of positive altitude difference.
Most of the trails start from Mount Masso alla QuataBike Land West Elba, or the largest Trail Area on the Island, after theCapoliveri Bike Park. In the highest part we find 5 paths, all immersed in a fern forest which guarantees soft ground and excellent grip. None of these have challenging passages, on the contrary, thanks to the numerous parabolic curves, we found them perfect for warming up. Our favorite wasPumpkin 2, both for the high number of possible lines and for the ability to make the most of the small difference in altitude. Rating: 8.5
The pace changes decidedly on the paths we follow immediately afterwards. In particularHigh Sky and Sassi Ritti.
These are 2 Trails, one after the other, both physical and technical, with a spectacular view of the Tuscan archipelago in the background. As you go down you have the impression of diving into the sea. Rating 9.5
In some sections you pass over truly unique rock formations. We arrive at the bottom tired, but definitely satisfied after a 5km descent and over 600m of altitude difference. It is no coincidence that the Tuscan Enduro Championship (TES) takes place here every year.
In the late afternoon we arrive at our hotel inMarina di Campo, in the rooms we find our luggage, which was transported by the Padbike staff. After an aperitif on the seafront with my companions and the guide, we return to the accommodation where a dinner based on delicious fish first courses awaits us.
From Marina di Campo to Lido di Capoliveri by MTB
From east to west inside the Toscano E-Enduro paths
(↑ 1200m, → 35km)
After having had a hearty breakfast and left our luggage at the Padbike transfer, we set off with our guide Michele towards Lacona. On this second day we will travel the 4 single trails that were protagonists of a previous edition of the Tuscan E-Enduro championship, located in the central area of the Island of Elba.
Once we reach the summit of Monte Tambone we take the roadCornice Trail: a fast and very fun trail that goes down to theLaconella beach with a length of 2.4km and 300m of dsl. It does not present any particular difficulties other than a few counter-slope curves. In the first stretch you walk along the ridge ofMount Tambone, passing through a succession of curves that take us to a more pedaled stretch until we reach Laconella beach. Overall a right mix between flow and technical with a breathtaking view of the Island of Elba in the background. Rating 8+
Now Barbatoja DH, Elba 500 and Serra del Pero await us, that is another 1000m of positive altitude difference. However, our legs are starting to feel the difference in altitude from the day before. We realize that we will never be able to follow all the paths we set ourselves. We then enlist the help of Lorenzo, also a Padbike guide, who comes to our aid at the wheel of a shuttle with bike trailer.
In this way we manage to gather the last strength to safely face the final descents. Michele's suggestion proved to be very valuable. In fact, these were very technical single trails, almost Downhill-like due to the slope and size of the bumps which required maximum attention. By following the guide's trajectories and taking a few detours we managed to avoid the most difficult passages.
Barbatoja DH and Elba 500 rating: 8-
Serra del Pero rating: 8+
Once we finish the last trail we take a very panoramic dirt road that takes us to our second hotel located in Lido di Capoliveri. The bags are already in our rooms. In the evening a two-course dinner awaits us.
From Lido di Capoliveri to Rio Marina by MTB
Dealing with the Bandit's Hole
(↑ 1200m, → 40km)
After recovering our strength with a hearty breakfast and leaving our luggage at the Padbike transfer, we set off with our guide Michele towardsTop of Mt at an altitude of 515m above sea level. The last 100 m of climb to reach the summit are so steep that we are forced to push our bikes. It starts herethe Bandit's Hole, a trail made up of four different types of terrain, which extends for 3.6km and covers 460m of altitude difference.
The view is breathtaking: in the distance theVolterraio Castle and in the background theMonte Capanne.
The first stretch is technical and steep and you need to use good speed. The terrain is made up of stone slabs and loose stones which do not make driving easier. In the second part, however, the surface changes completely. In fact, we enter a forest full of jumps and parabolic curves where we manage to pick up more speed.
As luck would have it, just as we were walking the last path, both Elias and Lytia got a puncture. Although this small inconvenience,The Bandit's Holehe left us with the biggest smile of the entire holiday. Vote 10
With a short transfer on a dirt road we arrive in Rio Marina in the early afternoon, where the ferry awaits us. Unfortunately this adventure has also come to an end. After having collected our luggage from the transfer and saying goodbye to the guide Michele, we board the ship that takes us back to Piombino.
Tour information
If you are interested in living a similar experience on the Island of Elba, we strongly recommend you take part in one of the numerous tours organized by the Padbike staff. We had a great time.
This summer however we will participate in a new tour also organized by the Padbike guys on the Sellaronda, but this time on E-MTB!
Elias, Maria, Lytia, Max and I to do the Great Crossing of Elba by MTB for 3 days (from Friday to Sunday) we spent €390 per person. The rate includes the support of a Padbike guide, luggage transport, overnight accommodation, dinners and breakfasts and insurance in case of accident.
