Perched 350 m above the Tyrrhenian Sea, the idyllic mountain village of Poggio sits on the northern slopes of Monte Capanne and overlooks the north coast of Elba from Sant’Andrea across Marciana Alta and Marina all the way to Portoferraio. Poggio can only be reached via narrow, winding roads and is surrounded by sweet chestnut and oak forests. Read more
The northern mountain slopes of Monte Capanne on Elba are covered in dense forest; here you can often still find centuries-old sweet chestnut trees, holm, cork or downy oaks, ash trees as well as species of pine and stone pine. Driving along the road from San Giovanni to Poggio, you pass through Elba’s numerous vegetation zones and cross the pass between Monte Capanne and Monte Perone, where many hiking trails begin, e.g. to the summit of Monte Capanne via the rocks of Le Calanche.
On the way back from the tour to the summit of Mount Daniel (2,340 m), the highest mountain in the Ammergau Alps, I enjoyed the warm afternoon light over the Ehrwald basin, the western flank of the Wetterstein and the Mieminger Chain. The snow on the mountains and the vibrant colours of the forests are a reminder of the frosty start in the morning and the late autumn season. Read more
On this sunny and mild November day, I decided, to round off the season, to climb the highest mountain in the Ammergau Alps – Daniel (2340 m) – from the Ehrwald Basin. On the final ridge section from Uppsspitze, I look at the nearby Daniel Summit and the Wetterstein Massif with the Zugspitze rising behind it.
At 2,340 m, Daniel is the southwesternmost and highest peak of the Ammergau Alps, forming one of the highlights of the region known as Zwischentoren, located between Reutte, Fernpass, and Grainau. After an early ascent from the Ehrwald railway viaduct via the Tuftlalm, I chose the route over the Grüner Upps and Uppsspitze. Read more
The beautiful hike from the pilgrimage church of Madonna di Montserrato up Monte Castello near Porto Azzurro in eastern Elba is rewarded with a panoramic view and is perfect for a half-day trip, preferably in the morning or at sunrise. Looking west, you can see the route of the incredibly varied, 72 km long “Grande Traversata Elbana” (GTE) through the island’s interior and over the Monte Capanne massif (background), which at 1018 m is the highest peak on Elba. To the right lie the bay and old town of Portoferraio. I was thrilled by the island’s mountainous feel, as it offers so many options for short or long hiking and cycling tours, with wonderful views of the Tuscan Archipelago.
From charming harbour town of Porto Azzurro, whose old town with its cafés and bars invites you to relax and enjoy, a side road leads to the pilgrimage church of Madonna di Montserrato, which is located below the unexpectedly rugged and rocky mountains at the end of the valley. Despite their modest height of up to 390 m, these peaks have a character more reminiscent of the Alps. From the car park, a poorly to unmarked path on the western side of the valley leads first through scrub and forest, then over the rocky ridges and crests up to Monte Castello. There, a 360-degree view of the entire island of Elba opens up, to the north you can see Portoferraio, to the west Monte Capanne, to the south Capoliveri. The summit is also a worthwhile, easy detour from the “Grande Traversata Elbana” (GTE) trail, whose route turns west just below the summit on the meadow saddle coming from Cime d. Monte. The tour from the pilgrimage church to Monte Castello, however, is short but challenging and requires experience in rough and unmarked terrain.
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