by Riccardo Burchianti

Lacona - Monte Tambone - Lacona (hard)
Legnth of course: 12.1kms.
Road surface: 5% asphalt 95% dirt
Legnth of course in time: 2hrs.and 30mins.

Arriving at Lacona near the games park, take the asphalted road for Marina di Campo. After circa 1km., passing over a bridge, turn left onto a dirt road that runs parallel to camping ground. Take the deviation to the right where a sandy road leads us on a slight descent.

The cart track then continues up hill until reaching a paroramic lookout point where one can admire the gulf of Lacona and, on a particularly clear day, the island of Monte Cristo.
The track advances amidst scrub like vegetation comprised mainly ginestra, cisti, corbezzoli, lentischi, sage and rosemary.

Along the water-shed track that leads to the summit of Monte Trambone we pass a number of "caprili", old consructions made with large stone plates used by shepherds as shelter.
In this phase of the course we are able to observe an environment particularly healthy and rich with wildlife, where sightings of hare, pheasant, marten and boar are very common.

From the summit, the gulf of Marina di Campo can be seen along with the islands of Pianosa and Corsica. Looking towards the south west one can see the gulf of Lacona and in a southeasterly direction, lies PortoAzzurro.

Return to the original track that leads to Marina di Campo.Here the track becomes rather uneven so we advise riders to take particular care.
Not far from the hotel "Marina 2", return to the main road that connects Lacona with Marina di Campo and, on a comfortable asphalted surface, we’ll continue our excursion that after circa 12 kilometres, comes to an end.

LO SCOGLIO … MTB School - This school organises mountain bike courses and excursions, immersed in the green Mediterranean bushland that offers suggestive marine paroramas. The school offers S.I.M.B. instructors that give lessons on the basic fuctions and mechanics of the bike. For further infomation and bookings:
CLICLI BRANDI, via Carducci, 33 Portoferraio Tel. 0565-914128