NATURE ON HORSEBACK

The excursion begins from "Uccellaia" near Marciana Marina and then climbs along the Valley of Cappone where specimens of the rare Osmunda fern can be found. A short stretch of paved road links up with Marciana Alta. The church of Madonna del Monte is then quickly reached where horses and their riders can take a break. The next direction is towards the "Semaforo" where ruins of a naval outpost can be found which served to keep the stretch of sea between Corsica and Elba under control. It is said that Napoleon sent signals to Corsica from here. The trail is followed in silence along an ancient path which climbs over huge masses of granite. Around the first days of summer, the entire area is blooming with genista, rosemary and cistus. The trail then winds down towards Pomonte. Although very beautiful and panoramic, the descent is quite challenging and a rest at the end of the trail is a must for both horses and riders, who will have had to walk a bit of the way themselves. After a stop at the shore, the trail crosses the Valley of the Moors and then climbs around Mount Capanne once again. Going on towards Le Mura (the Walls), two splendid stone shepherd huts rise in the middle of a meadow - a real dream-like atmosphere. Once back on the saddle, the trail continues to Le Macinelle and finally Mount Perone and the town of St. Ilario. It is worthwhile visiting this town on horseback to deeply appreciate the Medieval character of this ancient village. Below Mount Perone, another meadow is found which is not taken much into consideration today, but which once provided forage for all the horses on Elba. At last, the trail sweeps from St. Ilario towards Colle Reciso and then back down again towards Marciana Marina where the excursion ends

On the back of a horse amidst Elba's natural treasures.
Horse riding along the rough tracks in the Tuscan Archipelago National Park is just one of the activities offered by the Hotel Ilio in Capo S. Andrea. For an alternative holiday packed with sport, nature and culture.