When the summer closes and the island empties, Elba does not go out everything. It is true that in October the sea is no longer an option for many and the plants close, but the paths, the mountains, the woods and the villages remain. Indeed, just when the umbrellas end, the island becomes more accessible: less crowd, less hot, prices that go down. For those who do not want to live Elba only as sea, autumn is the best time.
The Tuscan Archipelago National Park from September to November organizes a calendar of paths and events: short and easy routes, demanding trekking, visits to mining museums, Citizen Science days, country parties. A program that lengthens the season and offers reasons to stay or return when most tourists have already left the island.
The path of the Rada: from San Giovanni to the Villa delle Grotte
Departure on Sunday 21 September at the Terme di San Giovanni, Portoferraio – an easy path, about 4 hours, suitable for families and who is not trained. You walk between the thermal coast and the Roman villa of the first century BC, Villa delle Grotte. Non -demanding ground, no strong slopes, watch out only in the sun if the day is clear. Modest cost, booking is essential.
Monte Volterraio: rock, view and geological history
On September 28, the path of the barracks towards Monte Volterraio became a journey through time: rocks that were ocean seabed, a fortress that supervises the sea, panoramas on Portoferraio and beyond. Average difficulty excursion, about 3 hours, for those who have a minimum of habit of the path. We need robust shoe, a little breath for the differences in height, and the guide is a geologist who explains what it means to read the stones. Price around € 8, reduced children.
Bioblitz at Mola’s swamp: explore biodiversity
Saturday 4 October the Mola swamp opens at the Bioblitz, an “participatory science” activities where experts and citizens detect animal and vegetable species through the inaturalist app. Meeting morning: three hours of easy walk, wet place with restart vegetation, perhaps aquatic animals, insects, birds; We need waterproof or at least resistant shoe, insect repellent, strata clothing. Free, by reservation.
Geo-Experience: Mum and Cave of today
Sunday 5 October: Visit to the Luigi Celleri mineralogical museum in San Piero, then excursion to the cave today. Minerals, pegmatites, historical-immigrant paths, archaeomineralology. Medium commitment, about 4 hours. You need a little effort, but reward detail: stones that speak, human history of the territory. Ticket for the museum, reductions for children.
Trekking of red stones: Nisportino to the mangani
On 11 October a more robust journey starts: six hours between coasts, promontories, red rocks (diaspri, radiolarites) towards the mangani beach. It starts from Nisportino, we face the tip of the houses, we return for the same path. You need training, water supply, technical shoes, maybe sticks. Not suitable for beginners but perfect if you want to measure yourself with yourself, and with the landscape.
Castagna Feast in Marciana and Poggio: walk between woods and tradition
Sunday 19 October in Marciana, and on 26 in Poggio: walks between centuries -old chestnuts, mountain paths, countries that breathe history. You don’t run, you walk to reconnect, eat something genuine, talk to those who live these lands. Medium-faced difficulties. Perfect for those who want to combine nature and culture.
Sombeard of Elba: donkeys, oliveta, memory
On Friday 1st November the program closes the program a different experience: the Sombeard of Elba offers meeting with the donkeys, a conduction tests in their enclosure, walk between olive groves, visit to the museum “Once upon a time there was an island”. Two shifts, 10:00 am and 14:00. Sensitive duration for families, small children with surveillance. Not an alpine trekking but a sensory excursion that returns an agricultural part, less viewed, of the island.
Great Elban crossing (GTE): the path that crosses the island
If you have days available, do not miss the great Elbana crossing (GTE): from cable to Patresi or Pomps, about 55 or 47 km (depending on the side of the chosen), crossing crests, valleys, coasts and reliefs. Ideal in the periods from mid -September to May, when the climate is more stable, the less hot days, the clearer horizon. We need adequate equipment, good training, planning of stages. Some sources can be not very reliable, the weather can change. But satisfaction: walking a whole Elba under your steps.
