Trekking to San Cerbone



Route of San Cerbone-Journey time: 4 hours-Pertaining paths in cartography: part of number 1 and number 6-Places: Marciana (355 meters)-San Cerbone (531 meters)-Pedalta Valley->La Stretta (805 meters) Perfect itinerary for: hiking-Gradient: 450 meters-Medium difficulty

The path is simple and involves one of the most picturesque corners of Monte Capanne, near the countries of Poggio and Marciana. It develops in interesting places both in terms of environmental and historical point of view, being related to one of the most important places of worship of the faith of Elba, the Hermitage of San Cerbone, in the area where the patron saint of the diocese took refuge to escape barbaric violence, during the 6th century. The itinerary can be made at any time of year, even in summer, because the high vegetation provides shade for most of the stretch.

Starting from the Marciana Pisan Castle (12th century), the highest point in the country, from where you can admire a beautiful view of the town of Marciana Marina. From the vicinity of the Castle also another nice paved path starts, marked by a sign, that after half an hour of uphill walk leads to the sanctuary of the Madonna del Monte, another place of worship popular amongst Elba inhabitants.

We take the road which, first paved and then dirt, goes up for a few hairpin turns until at a crossroads, we enter in the route marked as number 6 in cartography, and we go on on the left. The road, large and with a good ground, continues in altitude between pines, holm oaks and chestnut trees. We walk around the track and overcome a chain which blocks vehicles traffic and then a safety basin; now we slightly begin to rise on a bit more irregular background until the end of the road. Here the trail n. 6 continues on the right into a steepest climb, but we'll leave to continue down another path, that goes even deeper into the thick vegetation, near a ditch, which will cross over a dam water containment and after few meters you'll actually intersect another wider path the path number 1.

The path number 1 is uphill to the right and is located under a thick vegetation of chestnut trees. Then we pass under the Monte Capanne cableway and after only a few meters we face the simple façade of the Hermitage of San Cerbone, tight by the fronds of the trees. It is usually closed to the visitors, but from the small windows of the façade it is possible to admire the interior. According to tradition, it would be the first church built on the Island of Elba, even immediately after the Saint's death, but the documents report of it only from the 15th century (1421). Rescued from a disastrous abandonment in recent years, today it appears in its original charm. Around the building mighty chestnut logs tell us of perfect preservation of the place over the centuries.

In this place of worship the Bishop Casey took refuge to escape the continuous raids that raged in Populonia, at the time headquarter of the diocese. He lived a few years in a cave, living a miserable life and after his death his body was brought back in the village of the Tuscan Coast. Legend tells us that a storm broke during the canal crossing, but that no drops fell into the boat of the illustrious deceased. 

We continue our journey on the access road to the Hermitage, with no vehicular traffic, because it is private and blocked. Between wide curves under a beautiful chestnut groves, where in October many people stop to pick its fruits (mushrooms and chestnuts), we reach the provincial road in about half an hour. From here, with a deviation on the right of about two hundred meters, we reach the pretty village of Poggio and it is worth to stay among its small and charming streets. Or we can turn left and return to our starting point in Marciana in less than three kilometres of paved road. In the latter case we cannot do without a break at Napoleon's source and refresh with his mineral water. Along the way you can admire panoramic views on countries of Poggio and Marciana Marina.

Hermitage of San Cerbone

Hermitage of San Cerbone

Holy building, that once a time was a shelter of the Bishop of Populonia is placed between Marciana and Poggio.




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