Sunday, February 13, 2011

Hikes of the Southern Tuscan Coast and Archipelago


1  Monte Argentario Loop

A loop hike to the summit of Monte Argentario above the lagoon of Orbetello

Distance: 17 km (10.6 mi)
Elevation: Sea Level to 578 m (0-1895 feet)
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Time to Visit: Year round (avoid mid-day during summer)
Recommended: Spring and Fall



2  Tombolo di Feniglia

A nice easy walk through a beautiful stone pine forest, bird watching in the lagoon, sand dunes, walking on the beach

Distance: up to 12 km (7.5 mi)
Elevation: Sea Level
Hiking Time: up to 5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Park: Riserva Naturale Duna Feniglia
Time to Visit: Year round



Hikes of the Parco Naturale della Maremma

Time to Visit: October thru June
Pets: Not Allowed

3  Maremma - South

Loop hikes through the macchia to a panoramic point overlooking all of Southern Tuscany

Distance: Approximately 7.5 km (4.6 miles)
Other options; 
Short route; T1 only approximately 4 km roundtrip (2.5 miles)
Extended route; add T3 spur approximately 12.5 km roundtrip (7.8 miles)

Elevation: 40 – 220 meters (130 - 722 ft)
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate



4  Maremma Coastline

Panoramic hike along the Tuscan coast through the Maremma macchia to the isolated beach of Cala di Forno

Round Trip: 14.1 km (8.75 miles)    
Elevation: Sea Level – 100 meters (328 ft)
Hiking Time: 4.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate




5  Maremma Cork Oak Savanna

Twin loops through a cork oak savannah and holm oak woodland

Round Trip: 6 km (3.75 miles)         
Elevation: 25 m – 200 meters (82 - 656 ft)
Hiking Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy


Hikes of the Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago Toscano

Best Time to Visit: Spring and Early Fall

6  Elba - Pomonte Valley Loop

A rugged high above the Pomonte Valley and then down the lush valley bottom at the base of Monte Capanne

Round Trip: 12.1 km (7.5 miles)
Elevation: Sea Level – 634 m (0 – 2080 ft)
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Time to Visit: Year Round (avoid mid-day in summer)




7  Elba – Monte Capanne Summit Loop

A rugged climb up the granite mountain of Monte Capanne, the highest point on Elba.

Round Trip: 12.6 km (7.8 miles)
Elevation: 326 – 1019 m (1069 – 3348 ft)
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Time to Visit: Year Round (avoid mid-day in summer and watch for ice in winter)



Bonus Hike:  Ruins of Volterraio

Climb up to ancient ruins on Elba to see nice views of the harbor and island

Round Trip: 2.5 km (1.6 miles)
Elevation: 247 - 394 m (810 - 1292 ft)
Hiking Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Time to Visit: Year Round



10  Island of Capraia

Loop from the harbor to the summit of Monte della Penne through rare island ecosystems

Round Trip: 14 km (8.7 miles)         
Elevation: Sea Level – 400 meters (1312 ft)
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Time to Visit: Year Round (avoid mid-day on hot summer days)