4.3
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597
riders
Great Elba Crossing MTB: Eastern Loop
04:08
45.6km
1,130m
Mountain biking
If you're seeking a demanding mountain biking adventure, the Great Elba Crossing MTB: Eastern Loop is a difficult route that will truly test your abilities. You'll cover 28.3 miles (45.6 km) and ascend 3722 feet (1134 metres) over an estimated 4 hours and 8 minutes of riding. As you pedal…
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through protected areas
Please check local regulations for:
Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago Toscano
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
11.0 km
Mining Park
Highlight (Segment) • Historical Site
Translated by Google •
Tip by
15.5 km
Laghetto delle Conche
Highlight • Lake
Translated by Google •
Tip by
21.1 km
Cavo
Highlight • Settlement
Translated by Google •
Tip by
34.5 km
View of Rio nell’Elba
Highlight • Viewpoint
Translated by Google •
Tip by
35.6 km
Picnic Area With Sea View
Highlight • Viewpoint
Translated by Google •
Tip by
36.8 km
Start of Trincerone Trail
Highlight • Trail
Translated by Google •
Tip by
40.4 km
View of Porto Azzurro and Monte Calamita
Highlight • Viewpoint
Translated by Google •
Tip by
45.6 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
21.5 km
16.3 km
5.46 km
2.28 km
Surfaces
18.6 km
18.5 km
4.29 km
3.09 km
699 m
491 m
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Elevation
Highest point (430 m)
Lowest point (0 m)
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Weather
Powered by Foreca
Tuesday 12 May
20°C
14°C
17 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it typically take to complete the Great Elba Crossing MTB: Eastern Loop?
This challenging mountain bike route typically takes around 4 hours and 8 minutes to complete. However, your actual duration may vary depending on your fitness level, riding speed, and how often you stop to enjoy the views or explore points of interest.
What is the difficulty level of this mountain bike route?
The Great Elba Crossing MTB: Eastern Loop is rated as difficult. It requires a good level of fitness and advanced riding skills due to diverse terrain, including technical, rocky singletracks, loose surfaces, roots, stones, and steep gradients that can reach up to 70%. Full-suspension mountain bikes with generous tread are highly recommended.
Where can I park to access the Great Elba Crossing MTB: Eastern Loop?
While specific parking for this exact 'Eastern Loop' isn't designated, you can typically find parking in towns like Porto Azzurro or Rio Marina, which are common starting points for rides in the eastern part of Elba. From there, you can connect to various trailheads.
What kind of terrain can I expect on this mountain bike route?
You'll experience a highly diverse and visually stunning landscape. The terrain ranges from wide paths to very technical, rocky singletracks, traversing mountains, coastal areas, forests, and hills. Expect loose surfaces, small roots, stones, and sharp hairpin bends. You'll also ride through unique geological features, including the 'lunar landscapes' of ancient iron mines.
What are the notable viewpoints or landmarks along the way?
The route offers numerous scenic spots. You'll pass by the historic Mining Park, the serene Laghetto delle Conche, and the charming settlement of Cavo. Keep an eye out for breathtaking vistas like the View of Rio nell’Elba, a Picnic Area With Sea View, and the expansive View of Porto Azzurro and Monte Calamita. On clear days, you might even spot Corsica.
Does this route connect with other mountain bike trails or networks?
Yes, this route draws from the broader mountain biking opportunities in eastern Elba. It incorporates sections of trails like GTE per MTB (33%), Great Crossing Elba (26%), Cavo (17%), Mezza Strega (7%), and Miniere (5%). It's also part of the larger network that includes the Capoliveri Bike Park in the South-East and the Elba Trail Area in the North-East, offering extensive interconnected trails.
What is the best time of year to ride this trail?
The ideal time to ride this route is during spring (April-May) when wildflowers are in bloom and the Mediterranean scrub is vibrant, or in early autumn (September-October). These periods offer pleasant temperatures and generally clear skies, perfect for enjoying the panoramic sea views. Summer can be very hot, and some trails might be dusty.
Are dogs allowed on the Great Elba Crossing MTB: Eastern Loop?
While the Tuscan Archipelago National Park generally allows dogs, it's always best to keep them on a leash, especially in protected areas and near wildlife. Be mindful of the challenging terrain and potential heat, ensuring your dog is fit enough for the ride and has access to water.
Do I need any permits or pay entrance fees for this route, as it's in a National Park?
No, generally, there are no specific permits or entrance fees required to mountain bike on the trails within the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, including this route. However, always respect park regulations, stay on marked trails, and practice Leave No Trace principles to preserve the natural environment.
Are there any amenities like cafes or water sources along the route?
The route passes through or near settlements like Cavo, Porto Azzurro, and Rio Marina, where you can find cafes, restaurants, and shops to resupply. However, sections of the trail are remote, so it's crucial to carry sufficient water and snacks, especially during warmer months.
Is this mountain bike route suitable for beginners or families with children?
Given its 'difficult' rating, significant elevation gain, and technical sections, this specific route is not generally suitable for beginners or young families. While Elba offers some easier trails, this loop requires advanced riding skills and a good level of fitness. Some sections may even require pushing your bike.
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Trail Reviews
Another intense expedition. There was everything today: asphalt, gravel, forest paths, stone rock gardens, carrying, carrying, pushing. Unfortunately, there was also a failure, my friend had a broken suspension element in the new Canyon 😮 We'll see what we will do with it. Maybe we'll put tape on Mc Gyver and he'll go.😁
Today, we had real summer weather, so we headed up the Pitheavy Trail to Bucca di Bandito...then over the ridge to Monte Lentisco to the cape near Cavo...over the ore mines back to Rio Marina and over Monte Arco back along the sea to Porto Azzurro. Once again, a superb circuit, with lots of technical trails and the finest views...out with superrider Cello, a well-rehearsed team that knows how to enjoy themselves...🍝🍷☀️😉
Today on rather technical trails, some of which are still damp from the rain - the biker's heart beats a little faster 😎
A magnificent tour with trail, coastal, and historical highlights! 🚵♂️🌊⛏️ A varied e-MTB tour with everything Elba has to offer: The entry via Buca del Bandito was both athletic and scenic. The view from Monte Lentisco – fantastic! We took a nice break in Cavo before continuing through the old mining area near Terranera. Particularly impressive: the rust-red Laghetto Rosso and the traces of ore mining – truly fascinating! Finally, give it your all on the climb to Monte Arco – the view makes up for every meter of elevation. A top-notch tour all around. Technically difficult for me 👴🏻 – at least S2 sections are really rocky and strenuous. And on your own, you always have to know when to dismount, right? I absolutely recommend it! 💯 Thanks to Pit for the great tour planning and instructions! Here's the original: < https://www.komoot.com/de-de/tour/2153115586?ref=wtd >
Another lap, which at least in many sections follows a tour of Pit ... Trails without end today on the peninsula in the northeast ... on the way up over the ridge and at the end then on a never-ending trail down to the sea in Cavo ... had lunch there in the local Mojiteria (but better without the Mojito with 30 km to go ... 😂), and at half altitude back towards PotroAzzurro, now also parts over tar, but also long trails through an old ore mining area, at the end then again a few great trails and up to Monte Croce with the huge cross high above PortoAzzurro, the last 15 min / 100 Hm still hikeandalittleclimb up to the Croce, and then on a beautiful flow trail directly to our local aperitif dealer in PortoAzzurro. Nice tour, high proportion of trails, almost 90% of the way there, mostly S1 and S2, short S3 passages, an S5 point where the bike has to be lifted over two high heels, better feasible for two ..., estimated on the way back that way 50% trail / 50% small roads ... The round is worth it!
strict, demanding tour ... with ruth ... peppered with many dream trails, always beautiful views of the sea ... an absolute dream tour👌💪🏻😎 videöli: https://www.relive.cc/view/vmqXXK4K2oq
Today we did a great tour in the north-east of the island. We started in Rio nell'Elba. From there we went straight up the pass road to Monte Capannello. From there you have a wonderful view of the bay of Portoferraio. A fairly gravelly trail then led us back down to the next pass road. Once we got back up there we took a wonderful S2 trail along Monte Serra. Soon we came to the turnoff for the extremely long climb to Monte Grosso. But the climb was definitely worth it. The view was simply magnificent! You could see far into the Italian mainland. Wow!! The way down to the sea was on a great and at times somewhat complicated S2 trail. Wonderful! In Cavo we did another tour to the Mausoleum Tonietti. The tour was quite something - in the evening we had to wash the bike. On the beach in Cavo we enjoyed a delicious pizza before we continued on to the old mine where ore was once mined. You just have to take one of the glittering stones with you. We left the mine after a somewhat rough exit in the direction of Rio nell'Elba. Since we still had the battery and the desire, we did a lap of honour through the flower meadows of Rio nell'Elba before finishing off with a cappuccino and a tiramisu.
Nice ring to discover some trails of the northern part of Elba passing through the old mines of Rio Marina