Land, sea… and bicycle. Elba Island has always been considered a small paradise for bicycle tourists, who can find here ever-undulating paths with often unpredictable trajectories, rugged coastlines, mountains and beautiful horizons on the crystal clear sea.
A journey through Mediterranean nature, between cultivated lands and wilder areas, briefly moving from sunrise to sunset, in which to explore small fishing villages.
The proposed itinerary explores the eastern part of the island, the oldest one, between Rio Marina and Cavo, where the iron deposits that made Elba famous throughout the Mediterranean area since Etruscan times are found.

Itinerary featured in the Guidebook Viatoribus: “Italia in Bici con Gusto”

Itinerary description:
The loop bike tour is 21 km long, starting and finishing at Rio Marina.
From the village head north in the direction of Cavo: first bending inland slightly uphill, then, past Rio Albano, continue to Cala del Telegrafo from where a gradual descent follows the coastal profile to Cavo.
From here we pedal south again but passing through the interland, tackling the most challenging section of the route, the “Parata” climb, a road immersed in the bush that in 7 km reaches the Parata Pass (242 m.), located between Monte Serra and the Jupiter Tower.
From the pass, follow the descent to Rio nell’Elba (which is worth a stop), before pedaling the last few kilometers in the direction of Rio Marina and returning to the coast.

Route type: loop
Length: 21 km
Height difference in ascent: 400 m
Downhill elevation gain: 400 m
Highest point: 237 m
Lowest point: 1 m
Type of surface: asphalt

Technical tips:
The route does not present excessive technical difficulties but still has some somewhat challenging passages: the first section (4 km) is characterized by some ups and downs while the Parade climb, although not too steep, is constant for 7 km.

Municipality of departure:
Rio Marina

Starting location:
Rio Marina

Municipality of arrival:
Rio Marina

Location of arrival:
Rio Marina

Recommended period: March to October