Isola d’Elba is a small island off the coast of Tuscany, Italy, surrounded by the turquoise Mediterranean Sea. The island is mostly renowned for its crystal clear sea, white sand beaches and tasty seafood, but it has all it takes to be the perfect Mountain Biking destination. In this adventure, we will cycle around Mount Calamita (Mount Magnet), located in the South-Eastern tip of the island, once known for its iron mining industry.
Summary
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Trail in numbers
- Distance: 21 km
- Total climb: 667 m
- High point: 219 m
- Rideability: 100%
- Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Highlights
- Amazing sea views, all the time. The track circles around Mount Calamita and offers constant views of the Mediterranean sea. On clear days you can easily spot the mainland and the famous Montecristo Island, the setting of Alexandre Dumas’ Count of Montecristo novel.
- Wine Tasting opportunity, as the track reaches a farm where to take a restoring break sipping local wine, tasting delicacies while enjoying the views
Useful info
- When to go: these trails are perfect in the shoulder seasons, i.e. Spring or Fall. Of course this is completely doable in the summer, but do expect very warm temperatures and lots of tourists everywhere.
- Rent a bike: If you haven’t carried your bike with you, don’t despair. There is a bike rental precisely at the beginning of the trail offering everything from hardtails to full suspension e-bikes. They can also provide all the info you need for your trails, including selling a map.
- Directions: it is very easy to follow this track, as it is clearly marked as “Percorso A: Monte Calamita”. You will not get lost, and do not need any GPS or smartphone to follow this route. Piece of cake.
- Food and Water: As this is a very short ride, this should be no issue – just make sure you have plenty of water in your hydration pack or water bottles to stay hydrated, and always have some energy bars with you just in case you get cravings. In any case, there is a nice winery approximately halfway down the track that provides also snacks and food. In the summer it is likely to find many other open restaurants not far from the track.
- Pic-nic is also a nice option, we have done so towards the end of the track at beach Istia – which requires no effort at all to be reached.
Maps and Stats
Total distance: 23526 m
Max elevation: 219 m
Total climbing: 667 m
Download
Max elevation: 219 m
Total climbing: 667 m