Elba, Italy: Bird Trek, Wildlife

Elba by bicycle

Racing or mountain biking round the island

Paths on Elba

There are numerous paths for trekking on Elba

Free Climbing on Elba/h3>
Climbing on the island of Elba

Trekking on Elba

Walking along the paths on the island surrounded by breathtaking views

Kayaking on Elba

Kayaking along the coast of Elba

Bird Trek: wildlife – Itinerary 5

THE ITINERARIES by ELBATUTTANATURA®

An attractive itinerary in the mountains to admire the rich fauna on Elba. Time: 5.30 hours.

Departing from the square in Pomonte (30 m) and, facing the mountain, walking up to the left on path 4, which crosses the left hand side of the valley. The path, which climbs up the mountainside between terraces, some of them still cultivated, is the old mule track leading from Pomonte to Marciana. After about an hour, the locality called “La Terra” (550 m), a high plain with wide flat areas, is reached.
This area was inhabited until early in the last century, and there are still remains of the ancient settlements and of two churches: that of San Bartolomeo, on the rocky divide between the Pomonte and Chiessi valleys, and that of San Sebastiano, about two kilometres further north, above the path which continues on to the Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Mountain.

Turning off path 4 onto path 10 to reach the ridge on the Monte Capanne range in the Tabella – Monte di Cote area (900 m), the descent goes down through “La Stretta”, where path 54 is crossed, which leads to the road joining Marciana (370 m) and the Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Mountain, from where there is a quick descent to the village, where the walk ends.

Predators and birds of various species can be seen in flight along the whole itinerary, according to the season. Elba is an excellent place for the migratory birds in the northern Tyrrhenian to stop and seek refuge. The native wildlife includes the red-legged partridge, buzzards, the common kestrel and the northern goshawk, the dormouse, hare, wild boar, martens and mountain goats, which are the most spectacular animals to encounter, but must be approached quietly and from downwind. Mountain goats are a common sight in the area around the Pomonte valley, while “La Stretta” is the best place for bird watching, as it is an obligatory passage from the western valleys to the wide valley of Marciana.

Elba: Tuscany's island