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Walking the island trails, visitors get history and nature. See the fortress and defense towers used against Saracen pirates; follow the trail of ancient crops and the traditions of “living” on an island. The landscape is harsh and wild; dominated by Mediterranean brush that opens onto cliff-top views where the horizon traces nearby Corsica and other islands in the Tuscan Archipelago. A migratory stop that puts Capraia among the most interesting destinations for rare bird species and therefore for birdwatchers! Following is a bit of information for some itineraries.
Fortezza San Giorgio - Punta Bella Vista - Lo Zurletto
From Forte San Giorgio, visitors can see the well, garrisons, stables, bastions and the trail that runs directly into the sea. The grassy terraces at the “pool” offer a great opportunity for bird-watching. The Bellavista “terrace” is a must-see to enjoy the beautiful cliff-side landscape of the eastern slope of Monte Campanile. The Cala dello Zurletto gives a glimpse of the clear and transparent nature of Capraia’s sea.
Laghetto - Monte Le Penne - Colonia Penale Agricola - Il Laghetto
This is the most important, and most emotional, itinerary. Along the old mule trails that cross the tunnel in the brush at Erica and Corbezzolo, we get to Sella Acciattore which boasts rosemary bushes and other interesting Sardo-Corsican varieties as well. Suddenly the landscape opens up onto a small lake, the only natural area in the area that is covered with white aquatic buttercups. A small coastal trail leads to the Monte Le Penne—a wide open window onto the other archipelago islands and Corsica. We are at 420 meters above sea level. Before the rocky spur of the Penne is a small trail that leads northwards from the coast—the area hosted the Sella dell'Acciattorela Colonia Penale Agricola for more than 100 years. It is a beautiful circular itinerary that runs through Mediterranean brush that is still completely intact and wild, which boasts undeniably amazing views. Once you have crossed the wall that “symbolically” divided the jail area from the rest, the trail goes sharply downhill until reaching the first building belonging to the Lavanderia. From there the gravel road leads back to the port.
Monte Arpagna – Punta del Trattoio
The ancient stone mule trail takes us to the “Alloggio del Capo”, now in ruins, and the “Alloggio dei Marinai”, both former military buildings. An iron building appears in front of the trail; on the top of the Monte Arpagna, it was once used as a lookout point by the Navy. The view from the Arpagna is amazing—the large port of the Torre dello Zenobito built entirely with volcanic stone from the plain of the same name; and the outline of Monte Capanne on Elba Island. A “tunnel” of high brush leads to the Trattoio lighthouse, where you can observe the wild western coast, the small Peraiola island and the grottos of Cala del Vetriolo. The Cala delle Cote leads to the sea.
L’Aghiale – Punta del Dattero
A winding road with views of the bay and the town leads to the northern area of the island, which hosted penal colony until 1986. Visitors can observe the various “components” of the jail, including the “Aghiale” area with the cells, the dining hall and the wardens’ quarters; and the horse stalls and chicken coops in Portovecchio. A large, terraced valley boasts monumental and centuries-old walls. Visitors will enjoy the area’s beautiful nature and sense of mystery and solitude of the former prison buildings.
Fortezza San Giorgio - Punta Bella Vista - Lo Zurletto
From Forte San Giorgio, visitors can see the well, garrisons, stables, bastions and the trail that runs directly into the sea. The grassy terraces at the “pool” offer a great opportunity for bird-watching. The Bellavista “terrace” is a must-see to enjoy the beautiful cliff-side landscape of the eastern slope of Monte Campanile. The Cala dello Zurletto gives a glimpse of the clear and transparent nature of Capraia’s sea.
Laghetto - Monte Le Penne - Colonia Penale Agricola - Il Laghetto
This is the most important, and most emotional, itinerary. Along the old mule trails that cross the tunnel in the brush at Erica and Corbezzolo, we get to Sella Acciattore which boasts rosemary bushes and other interesting Sardo-Corsican varieties as well. Suddenly the landscape opens up onto a small lake, the only natural area in the area that is covered with white aquatic buttercups. A small coastal trail leads to the Monte Le Penne—a wide open window onto the other archipelago islands and Corsica. We are at 420 meters above sea level. Before the rocky spur of the Penne is a small trail that leads northwards from the coast—the area hosted the Sella dell'Acciattorela Colonia Penale Agricola for more than 100 years. It is a beautiful circular itinerary that runs through Mediterranean brush that is still completely intact and wild, which boasts undeniably amazing views. Once you have crossed the wall that “symbolically” divided the jail area from the rest, the trail goes sharply downhill until reaching the first building belonging to the Lavanderia. From there the gravel road leads back to the port.
Monte Arpagna – Punta del Trattoio
The ancient stone mule trail takes us to the “Alloggio del Capo”, now in ruins, and the “Alloggio dei Marinai”, both former military buildings. An iron building appears in front of the trail; on the top of the Monte Arpagna, it was once used as a lookout point by the Navy. The view from the Arpagna is amazing—the large port of the Torre dello Zenobito built entirely with volcanic stone from the plain of the same name; and the outline of Monte Capanne on Elba Island. A “tunnel” of high brush leads to the Trattoio lighthouse, where you can observe the wild western coast, the small Peraiola island and the grottos of Cala del Vetriolo. The Cala delle Cote leads to the sea.
L’Aghiale – Punta del Dattero
A winding road with views of the bay and the town leads to the northern area of the island, which hosted penal colony until 1986. Visitors can observe the various “components” of the jail, including the “Aghiale” area with the cells, the dining hall and the wardens’ quarters; and the horse stalls and chicken coops in Portovecchio. A large, terraced valley boasts monumental and centuries-old walls. Visitors will enjoy the area’s beautiful nature and sense of mystery and solitude of the former prison buildings.
