Cycling holidays
on the Elba Island

Bike Hotels2

Routes5

SeasonMar-Oct

Cliffs overlooking the sea, woods, panoramic ridges, ancient hamlets built in very picturesque places, mule tracks, small villages and ancient iron mines. This is the island of Elba.
For cycling enthusiasts, this destination is perfect for the various MTB disciplines from cross country to all Mountain including Enduro. The Capoliveri area is for those who love cycling thanks to the MTB Marathon – the world class Capoliveri Legend Cup which speaks for itself; the young people in the Elba gravity park look after the area in the north east, the most popular enduro place. There are also ancient paths and mule tracks restored by the local trail building volunteers with even more flow trails.

And for racing bike enthusiasts, the loop trail of the island is an absolute must: It is about 140 km and far from easy, constant uphill and downhill stretches with several climbs will test your skills.

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Food

Stoccafisso alla riese

A delicious cod dish with salted anchovies, onion, tomatoes, basil, parsley, black olives, pine nuts, capers, extra virgin olive oil, chili pepper and salt.

Gurguglione

Stewed vegetables, peppers and aubergines, which in Porto Azzurro is called gaspaccio, due to Spanish Dominion.

Schiacciata briaca

The quintessential Elban dessert that won first prize at the Olympics of flavours. Made with raisins, pine nuts, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, oil, wine (aleatico) and alchermes without yeast or eggs. It was given to sailors as substantial and long-lasting comfort food.

History & Culture

When we think of Elba we immediately think of the wonderful sea and the green of the Mediterranean scrub which surrounds it, its beautiful beaches with hundreds of coves which make it unique and of course, Napoleon even if he stayed on the island for less than one year.
But the history of this island is not only about the French emperor staying ten months, but begins even earlier: as early as the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic Ages. Evidence of this has been found in the relics which are kept in the Archaeological Museum of Marciana and from the materials used in the Eneolithic graveyard of S. Giuseppe and sub-Apennine villages of the Marcian mountain.