The center of Elba: from Procchio to Porto Azzurro

Procchio is the starting point of the route that, through roads and trails, reaches Porto Azzurro, crossing the central part of the Island of Elba from west to east.

Starting from the tourist center erected behind the beach of the municipality of Marciana, follow the provincial road 25 in the direction of Marina di Campo.

When you reach the “hill of Procchio,” follow the signs of the network of trails of the Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano in the direction of Literno, GTE trail (Grande Traversata Elbana) and trail 244. After about two kilometers from the starting point, the paved road turns into a steadily ascending dirt road, which through a shady Mediterranean scrub forest climbs the slopes of Mount San Martino.

Following the dirt road northward you reach the crossroads of “Buca di Bomba,” near the point of maximum elevation of the trail where, turning right and following the GTE trail signs, you face the flat section of trail above the San Martino valley, famous for the presence of Napoleon Bonaparte's country residence during his exile on the Island of Elba.

With a pleasant slight descent, the route continues towards the hillock of Mulino a Vento, a historic structure whose ruins are still visible and from which you can enjoy the landscape both on the northern side, with Portoferraio, and on the southern side, with Lacona.

Once you reach the stone quarry of Colle Reciso, a short paved stretch in the direction of Portoferraio leads to the junction with the continuation of the dirt road that allows you to reach the water source of “Fonte Schiumoli” to continue toward the locality of Le Picchiaie and then descend to provincial road 26 in the locality of Acquabona.

Flanking the golf courses and vineyards of the area with a kilometer of provincial road heading south, turn left toward Buraccio. Leaving behind holm oak woods and Mediterranean scrub, you are in the agricultural heart of the Island of Elba, an area of vineyards, olive groves and pastures, where there is no shortage of farms and wineries.

You face the last uphill stretch until you reach the junction with path 210, which, once taken, begins the descent through the vineyards of the locality of Pontecchio and is again on asphalt to rejoin the provincial road, at the gates of the town of Porto Azzurro.