Southern Tuscan Coast and Archipelago

Introduction to the Tuscan Coast and Archipelago

Hiking the Tuscan coast

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

View from the summit of Il Telegrafo with the island of Giglio offshore                    Tombolo di Feniglia as viewed from Monte Argentario

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

Pine-oak Savannah on the Tombolo di Feniglia                                Dunes along the Tombolo with Monte Argentario in the distance

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

 View from the top of the ridge towards the north                                                  Climbing up through the macchia

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

View down the shore                                                                             Coastal dunes of the Maremma

5            Maremma Cork Oak Savannah

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

     Fallow deer in the Cork Oak Savannah                                                            Linda and Maile hiking through the Cork Oak Savannah

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            Elba – Ruins of Volterraio

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

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

View of Portoferraio from the ruins of Volterraio

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)