Incredible landscapes and history – MTB on Elba Island

There aren’t many places in the world where paradisiacal landscapes combine with millennia of history. Italy’s Elba Island, a large fish-shaped 'rock' swimming in an emerald sea, is undoubtedly one of these places. The mountainous hinterland is lush, wild, and teeming with life, while the subsoil hides a treasure trove of precious metals and stones. Elba also has a rich past: Neolithic remnants, Etruscan-Roman ruins, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s villas and world war bunkers are scattered across the island. When you add the network of some of the most beautiful mountain bike trails in Italy to all this, there’s only one thing left to do: get on your bike and set off on an adventure!

This Collection is made up of seven circular itineraries that guide you along the coast and inland. You won't need Giro d'Italia training. The longest route is 38 kilometres (23 mi) long with 1,200 m (3,900 ft) of elevation gain, but the rocky terrain is very technical in places and you’ll need good MTB skills to keep you from dismounting and pushing. The first two routes in particular are extremely technical and require really advanced riding skills and an adequate bike. In this regard, I recommend opting for a full-suspended mountain bike with generous tread (I suggest at least 120 mm), even though I’ve seen people riding on these trails with hardtail cross-country bikes with forks as small as 80 mm...

To get around Elba, apart from the bicycle of course, you can use a car or the suburban bus lines that connect the island’s main towns. Bear in mind, however, that if you opt for the bus you’ll need to hire a mountain bike when you arrive, as you can’t take bicycles onboard.

The climate on the island means these itineraries are suitable in any season. However, winter is relatively cold here, and it would be a shame to miss out on refreshing dips in the sea because of the low temperatures.

The most popular means of getting to the Island of Elba is by ferry. At the port of Piombino Marittima, which is easily reached by car, train or bus. Four shipping companies operate here – Toremar, Moby Lines, Blu Navy and Corsica-Sardinia Ferries – and connect the Tuscan coast with Portoferraio, Rio Marina and Cavo in just over an hour. Alternatively, the airline Silver Air connects Lugano and some Italian cities with Marina di Campo airport.