Suggested routes: at Costa Gabbiani: Dulpherina (5.8), Dobloni e Galeoni (5.10a), Manta Nera (5.10c), L’isola che non c`e’ (5.11b), Hammer Head (5.11b), Red Viking (5.12b) and The Return of Space Cowboy (5.12b).
How to get there: Toremar ferry from Porto Santo Stefano, which takes about 1:30 to Elba. For more on prices and schedules contact toremar.it/pages_it/index.asp or the Call Center, 199-123-199.
Cultural attractions: The island is well known for its iron caves, formerly mines, developed over the past 3,000 years as the main source of income. Unfortunately, the caves closed in the 1980s despite the numerous amount of iron -- about 16 million tons -- still there. The Cantiere Bacino in Rio Marina is the only iron cave open to the pubblic, usually in the summer. Also, you might want to stop by Villa dei Mulini in the historical center of Portoferraio and Villa San Marino, near Marina di Campo, respectively the home and summer residences of Napoleone Bonaparte, who was exiled here from 1814 to 1815. One last thing: Etruscan necropoli (aka cemeteries) can be found all over the island, the remains of this culture’s five-century domination of Tuscany.
Where to stay: Camping is the cheapest, most common way to go. Camping Acquaviva: 57037 Potrtogerraio, phone 0565-919103 with 400 campgrounds and facilities, 100 sites, 20 bungalows and three apartments, open from Easter on. Camping le Calachiole: 57031 Capolivieri phones 0565-95137 or 0565-933488 with 1,096 campground and facilities, 274 sites, eight bungalows, and 12 apartments and four campers. These are only two of the many campsites on the island.
Suggested travel guide: There isn`t really a guidebook, but you can contact local climber Renato Bardi at the Antiche Saline - 57037 Portoferraio (LI), phone 0565.917140 - 967016
or via e-mail: freeclimbing@infoelba.it
