TREK THE GTE - THE GRAND TRAVERSE OF ELBA - ITALY

Elba is the biggest island on the Tuscan Archipelago, a place where the Italians holiday and the GTE trail crosses the island from coast to coast linking the mountain ridgelines on the island's spine.

This cluster of 7 islands will surely become a prime destination for international tourism very soon but so far it survives as a lesser visited gem whilst the nearby Cinque Terre hogs the limelight.

Backabush is planning an adventurous thru-hike completing the GTE trail in full, from coast to coast on foot in 3 hiking days. This is a tough route that takes in the island's highest summits following a trail with ocean views out to Corsica and the Tuscan hills.

On this trip we will also need to pack light and carry our luggage with us 'hut-to-hut' style as there is no luggage transfer service yet on the island.

ITINERARY

Saturday 19 - We will meet in the port town of Piombino, a 90 minute train ride from Pisa, ready to catch the ferry to Elba the next day. Guesthouse accommodation in twin and triple rooms. Breakfast included.

Sunday 20 - Day 1 on the GTE. Cavo to Porto Azzurro - 23km 900m ascent. We catch the 8.40 ferry Cavo and hike up to a striking ridge before following the winding trail down to Porto Azzurro. Hotel accommodation in Twin rooms, breakfast included.

Monday 21 - Day 2 on the GTE. Porto Azzurro to Procchio - 20km 750m ascent. A day with many peaks crossing the central hills of the island with frequent sea views. Hotel accommodation in twin rooms, breakfast included.

Tuesday 22 - Day 3 on the GTE. Procchio to Pomonte - 16kms, 900m ascent, 950m descent. Today we cross the highest peaks on the island, then it's downhill for a celebratory swim. Hotel accommodation in twin rooms, breakfast included.

Wednesday 23 - Home time, we will catch a bus back to the ferry terminal for the 11am crossing and then it's back to the airport or on to another adventure. Pisa is reachable on the train by 17.30pm so evening flights can be booked for 19.30 departures or later.

DIFFICULTY

This trip has 3 long days of hiking, 20 kms/12 miles or more each day and considerable up and down so a good level of hiking fitness is required. There will be some minor exposure encountered on our rocky ridgeline trails with occasional use of some fixed cables on steeper sections so some surefootedness will also be required.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• A 3 day itinerary of guided hikes led by qualified Mountain Leader and certified first aider
• 4 nights guesthouse or hotel accommodation in twin or triple rooms
• 4 breakfasts
• Return ferry tickets to the island of Elba
• Financial protection in line with the Package Travel Regulations 2018

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

• Flights to Italy
• Trains to Piombino
• Local bus transfers on our final day
• Lunches and evening meals - We will be eating out at local restaurants and picking up lunch supplies from the shops each day.

HOW TO GET THERE

There are many flights from the UK Pisa everyday. The last trains run to Piombino from central Pisa at around 17.00 so please plan to land in Pisa at around 15.00 at the lastest to allow time to reach the station. Trains can be booked in advance on Trainline or at the station in Pisa.

Return - We will aim to catch a late morning ferry and stop for lunch afterwards. The next train back to Pisa Airport is at 15.31 arriving at 17.08. I would recommend booking a flight home departing any time from around 19.30 to allow for some delays.

HOW TO BOOK A PLACE ON THE TRIP

The trip cost is £499. To confirm your place payment in full is required.

Please send all payments through online banking, using ELBA as the payment reference. Your RSVP is not enough to reserve a space. The account details are:

Account Name: BACKABUSH XPLORERS
Sort Code: 090127
Account Number: 22440622

The following "terms and conditions" apply to all trip reservations:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ngc5A61k76qb6HGMeTK96AVaXn0565yPS9p42IPzIy8/

Please email [nathancapay@googlemail.com](mailto:nathancapay@googlemail.com) when you send payment so that we can confirm everything with you.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

We consider safety to be our number one priority and while we never take unnecessary risks, we do recognise that any outdoor activity involves a danger of personal injury or death. Remember that you should be aware of and accept these risks as you are responsible for your own safety and you should not undertake anything beyond your abilities. It is also your responsibility to be correctly equipped for the weather and activity you have chosen to participate in.