- Marciana - San Cerbone
- Valle Di Pedalta -La Stretta - Fortezza Pisana Marciana.
- Trip time: 4 hr. 30 min.
- Steepest climb: 300 mt.
Start
from the ancient medieval town of Marciana which can be reached
with an ATL line bus from Cape St. Andrea. Using the parish church
of Santa Caterina as a reference point, as we cross under the medieval
town doors of the Lorena, we find ourselves in the middle of the
small town centre. Stairways and alleys accompany us at the beginning
of our walk until chestnut trees take over for the narrow streets
and flowered balconies give way to wild broom. The chestnut forest
is found even above 500 mt. and follows the trail up to the Hermitage
of Saint Cerbone. It is said that St. Cerbone found shelter here
in the 6th century escaping from the hordes of Gummarith, duke of
the Lombards. The church, as it is today, was however built centuries
later (15th century). We come to St. Cerbone after following the
trail for about 40 minutes towards the southwest. From the hermitage,
we reach crossroads "A" in 20-25 minutes. Follow the winding trail
in a northwest direction through the Mediterranean macchia where
sporadic clearings offer breathtaking views. The trail is almost
level as it winds around the rocky faces of Mt. Capanne. With a
bit of luck, we can observe wild mountain goats or native red grouse
fleeting among the granite rocks, or still the majestic flight of
falcons hunting small mammals. In Spring, the trail is characterised
by the perfume of the Mediterranean shrub in bloom. While in the
fields and between the rocks, there are stretches of beautiful wild
orchids and colourful violets of unusual shades. From crossroads
"A", it takes about an hour's walk to arrive at Valle di Pedalta
where we reach crossroads "B" after passing through the pine and
chestnut woods. After a brief climb to the knoll, on a clear day
you can admire the beauty of Corsica and Capraia to the west and
also the central and eastern areas of Elba. Before ending the excursion,
it is worthwhile visiting the mighty Pisan Fortress (12th century)
and the nearby "Antiquarium" in the old town centre of Marciana.
Here some interesting pre-Roman archaeological finds are kept and
there is also a small botanical garden
Start
from the ancient medieval town of Marciana which can be reached
with an ATL line bus from Cape St. Andrea. Using the parish church
of Santa Caterina as a reference point, as we cross under the medieval
town doors of the Lorena, we find ourselves in the middle of the
small town centre. Stairways and alleys accompany us at the beginning
of our walk until chestnut trees take over for the narrow streets
and flowered balconies give way to wild broom. The chestnut forest
is found even above 500 mt. and follows the trail up to the Hermitage
of Saint Cerbone. It is said that St. Cerbone found shelter here
in the 6th century escaping from the hordes of Gummarith, duke of
the Lombards. The church, as it is today, was however built centuries
later (15th century). We come to St. Cerbone after following the
trail for about 40 minutes towards the southwest. From the hermitage,
we reach crossroads "A" in 20-25 minutes. Follow the winding trail
in a northwest direction through the Mediterranean macchia where
sporadic clearings offer breathtaking views. The trail is almost
level as it winds around the rocky faces of Mt. Capanne. With a
bit of luck, we can observe wild mountain goats or native red grouse
fleeting among the granite rocks, or still the majestic flight of
falcons hunting small mammals. In Spring, the trail is characterised
by the perfume of the Mediterranean shrub in bloom. While in the
fields and between the rocks, there are stretches of beautiful wild
orchids and colourful violets of unusual shades. From crossroads
"A", it takes about an hour's walk to arrive at Valle di Pedalta
where we reach crossroads "B" after passing through the pine and
chestnut woods. After a brief climb to the knoll, on a clear day
you can admire the beauty of Corsica and Capraia to the west and
also the central and eastern areas of Elba. Before ending the excursion,
it is worthwhile visiting the mighty Pisan Fortress (12th century)
and the nearby "Antiquarium" in the old town centre of Marciana.
Here some interesting pre-Roman archaeological finds are kept and
there is also a small botanical garden 
