Trek from Pisa to Elba Island along the beautiful Tuscan coast
Want to see a different part of Tuscany from what you expect? Trade the rolling hills for the stunning coastline on this wonderful walking tour. Fear not, even though you are on the coast you will still indulge every meal with wonderful Tuscan food and wine, a great reward after a beautiful day walking.
The Etruscan coast - as the region is called between Pisa and Piombino –offers spectacular coastal sections, cultural highlights and villages worth visiting, also a marvellous hiking area. Varied hiking tours both inland and on the coast make this holiday an experience.
The daily walking routes lead you through pine groves and deciduous forest, Mediterranean macchia as well as via wild high-plateaus and white sandy beaches. En route you always have the option of jumping into the cool water and linger a bit in the sunny bays.
Spend the nights in Pisa and in lovely coastal towns, where you can truly relax after each day hiking, and then explore the historic centres.
The ferry takes you across to Elba, the island with the most beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean, enchanting diversity of vegetation and amazing hiking paths. Here you spend two days on the sea and enjoy coastal walking at its best.
Highlights of the Hiking the Hiking the Tuscan Coast from Pisa to Elba
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Hiking the Tuscan Coast from Pisa to Elba Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival Pisa
Seize the arrival day and visit the world-renowned Leaning Tower and embark on a stroll into the bustling historic centre.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Pisa
Distance: 4.5 hours, 14 km, 600 m ascent, 600 m descent
Meals: None
Day 2 Walk around Pisa
The initial hiking day leads you into the Pisa mountains. From the fortress ruins in Ripafratta through an enchanting deciduous forest past the hermitage up to the Passo di Dante. At the Dantepass you enjoy a marvellous view onto the plain of Pisa all the way to the sea. You descend on lovely hiking paths along the Rio della Croce into the pretty spa town of San Giuliano Terme and return to Pisa by bus.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Pisa
Distance: 5 hours, 17 km, 400 m ascent, 450 m descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Volcanic Mountain Poggio Pelato
The Colli Livornesi, the Hills of Livorno, offer extensive hikes through the forest, across meadows and over high-altitude pastures with grazing sheep. Let your eye wander onto the sea and into the surrounding chains of hills. You ascend the peak of the volcanic mountain Poggio Pelato, the ‘bare mountain‘, which offers a wonderful panorama from the woodless top, black volcanic rocks accentuate the exotic flair. In the afternoon you reach the lovely coastal village of Castiglioncello.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Castiglioncello
Distance: 4.5 to 5 hours, 18 km, 50 m ascent, 50 m descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Fabulous Beach Walk
Today a fabulous beach walk awaits. Initially you hike through the Pineta of Cecina, a pine forest with lots of shade, stretching over many kilometres along the beach. Numerous trails lead through the dense forest canopy. Later you walk past the exceptional nature reserve of the oasis of Bolgheri and stroll across the soft sandy beach. Naturally a dip in the water is a must, or at least a stop at the beach bar.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Castagneto
Distance: 4.5 to 5 hours, 18 km, 50 m ascent, 50 m descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Walk the High Paths From Piombino
You start in the Golfo di Baratti, the Etruscan harbour for the maritime traffic to Elba. Next to it you find the archeological park of Popolonia. Along spectacular paths you proceed directly above the water through dense macchia on partially rocky trails always along the coast, and by doing so you go round the Piombino mountains. Along the impressive Sentiero dei Cavallegeri you reach the bay of Calamoresca situated on the rocky spit Punta Falcone. Now it is not far to Piombino featuring its lovely historic centre and the lighthouse at the sea. A dream-tour along the coast with swimming options in numerous bays.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Piombino
Distance: 4 hours, 13 km, 400 m ascent, 350 m descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Elba Coastal Walk
Take the Ferry to Elba, and during the ferry ride you can enjoy the wind in your hair and observe the giant boats in the harbour, the coast from a distance and the island slowly approaching. We recommend a visit to the historic centre of Portoferraio or a swim at the renowned beach Le Ghiaie featuring white pebbles with black dots. In the afternoon a little circular tour leads you on fantastic coastal paths to the beach of Barbarossa and to the colourful sea of Terranera.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Elba
Distance: 2 hours, 7 km, 150 m ascent, 150 m descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Elba Summit Hike
A stupendous summit hike on the island of Elba awaits you today. You hike past fragrant macchia with views onto the neighbouring islands and the glistening Mediterranean Sea on Mediterranean forest- and marvellous high-altitude paths. You ascend the mountain of Monte Croce and observe the mountain goats in their rocky habitat. We also recommend a visit to the hermitage hidden in the rocks. As a finale a dip at the beach and a final drink at the bar is a must.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Elba
Distance: 4 hours, 10 km, 400 m ascent, 400 m descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Departure or Extension
The tour concludes after the breakfast.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking the Tuscan Coast from Pisa to Elba Tour Price and Dates
This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only.
2024 Departures:
The departures are available every Saturday, from March 22nd to October 11th, 2024.
- Single room: from $1,395 USD*
- Sharing a double room: from $1,025 USD*
2025 Departures:
The departures are available every Saturday, from March 29th to October 12th, 2025.
- Single room: from $1,495 USD*
- Sharing a double room: from $1,075 USD*
*-Pricing for this tour depends on the dates of your trip. Please click the booking button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates. The prices listed are per person.
Book NowAccommodation on Hiking the Tuscan Coast from Pisa to Elba Tour
This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel Bologna in Pisa ★★★★
A charming accommodation in the heart of Pisa, offering a comfortable stay with easy access to the iconic Leaning Tower and the bustling historic center.
Hotel Atlantico in Castiglioncello ★★★
Nestled in the scenic coastal village of Castiglioncello, this hotel provides a relaxing retreat after a day of hiking. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings and the proximity to the lovely beaches.
Hotel i Ginepri in Castagneto ★★★
Situated near the Pineta di Cecina, this hotel offers a fabulous beach walk experience. The pine forest surroundings provide shade, and the nearby nature reserve adds to the scenic charm.
La Rosa dei Venti Resort in Piombino
Located in Piombino, this resort is an ideal starting point for the high paths from Piombino. Experience a dreamy coastal tour with options for swimming in numerous bays.
Hotel Acquamarina in Elba ★★★
Enjoy a picturesque coastal tour on Elba while staying at Hotel Acquamarina. The hotel offers a comfortable base for exploring the island, featuring beautiful beaches and hiking paths.
What’s Included in the Hiking the Tuscan Coast from Pisa to Elba Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. You can also book additional nights at most of overnight locations.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage is included, as well as a ferry to Elba. Any other transfers are not included (such as train journeys on days 2, 3 and 4, as well as bus rides in Piombino and on Elba, cost approx. € 19 per person).
Also included
- Welcome briefing (German, English)
- Carefully elaborated route description
- Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English, French)
- App for Navigation and GPS-data
- Service hotline
Not included
- Tourist tax
- Anything not specifically mentioned as included
- Guide
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
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