monte capanne

The chairlift is a small basket which can hold just 2 people. It starts off quite gently through the chestnut trees, then turns, and you're hanging above the slopes of the mountain. Spectacular views as you climb, over Marciana, Marciana Marina and Poggio. When you reach the top, you can climb a bit more on a rough path, right up to the ariels on the top, and the helipad. The chairlift shuts down for an hour or so in the middle of the day, so everything is silent, and quite beautiful. There's a cafe at the top, which serves the most enormous, freshly made, panini. (Beware - the toilet is at the bottom of the mountain!)

A "Must Do" when visiting Elba Island. Take the "chairlift" where two people ride together standing up in a "bird cage" for 20 minutes to the top of Mount Capanne. The views are spectacular. A not miss!

Travel in a snug open to the elements cage to the top of the mountain. Well worth the 20 minute trip. Fantastic views all the way. Small bar and terrace at the top overlooking a view to die for. Enjoy a drink and snack. The 360 degree at the top is breath taking. Go on a clear day though. We wore trainers and shorts, an Italian lady was up there in a long sundress and wedge sandels! There is some climbing at the end on rough rocks so suggest the trainer option. Well worth the experience.

Did a dance on the helipad! It's got to be done!Quite expensive though.Sat and absorbed the scenery from the top in the cafe.Get there early before the crowds arrive.

Geologists (but also the common travelers, with a bit of attention) immediately recognize the nature of the "Monte Capanne": it's a granite dome (the correct geological term is "pluto"), which with its rounded shape strongly characterizes not only the heights of the Western Elba, but also its coasts.From the granite's nature, an hard rock, and therefore resistant to weathering, is also due the landscape of the higher parts of the "Capanne": devoid of trees (just scattered scrub) and bare rock in sight, recalling the character of the high mountains, although the peak is only 1019 m.To this is added the suggestion of the sweeping panorama (which others have already described), due to the isolated mountain's position.In my opinion the best way to enjoy "Monte Capanne" is to follow at least in one way (up or down) the trail which reaches the top, and on the other way to have a ride on the ropeway that works (AFAIK) from April until October. The bravest people will climb walking and come down by ropeway, the others will choose the opposite.We twice (in this September, and previously many years ago) followed the second solution, because it's enjoyable and not too tiring (even if on the top stretch the path is very rocky). Going down you cross debris and bare granite rock (which may remind one of the nearby Corsica, and of the northern Sardinia), then woods of holm and chestnut trees, up to the first houses of the village of Marciana (about 370 m.). All this in less than two hours and a half.One caveat: the path is feasible even for those who suffer from fear of heights (like me), because it always avoids the cliffs. Only consider that the ropeway cabins are in fact tiny metal "baskets", padlocked but open (each of them houses two people).The hike is doable even without a car: in fact the lower ropeway's station is on the main road between the villages of Poggio and Marciana, therefore, served by public buses.This is in our opinion the most recommendable walking among those possible on the Elba island.

The most amazing view on the island & original way to go up. Magic experience! Go in the morning less people.

Don't go with sandles! Love the yellow gondolas going up. Amazing view all over the island and the neighboring islands.

Went up the cable car with kids. Not for faint hearted! You have to jump into little cages and stand up as you go up the mountain. It looks fairly bizarre as you pass other people in their little canary cages. Although it is (and feels) perfectly safe, if you don't like heights this is probably not for you. For everyone else though, I'd recommend it. The views from the top are simply stunning. The mainland in one direction and Corsica in the other. Feels like you can see clean across the Med. Quite unique experience.

We went up by foot and down using the cabinovia. If you are planning to go by foot make sure you leave early when it's still a bit cool => cooler during the climb and there will be some place to sit down in the shade when you reach the top! Only the first part of the climb has got lots of shade (±15') the last 20' were really hot because the sand is darker and the climb is more steep.

Go there only in a good weather and clear sky and you'll enjoy a fantastic view over the whole island.You can take the lifts from Marciana and use the free parking lot available at the base station.

Had a good climb up waymarked (limited) routes during a walk from Poggio to Marciana Alta. Great views from near the top of the mountain at about 950m. There is also a chair lift in small cages to the top of the mountain (about 1050m) which we did not use but others who did said was excellent.

We took the cable cars up the mountain. You go up one side, and are let out at the top to explore or go have a coffee at the bar. I think between the two if us up and back down the mountain it was something like 36 euro. Totally worth it, amazing views, amazing experience.

Beautiful views, great experience, a must if you are visiting Elba! The little cage is not as scary as it looks on the photos ;)

We rode the Monte Capanne "cable car" with two small children (3 years and 18 months) and it's quite an adventure. Each "car" is a simple yellow cage that you stand in for the ride to the top. Like a skiing chairlift, these cages don't stop...you have to jog alongside and hop into the cage (then the attendant closes the "door" for you).If you're squeamish about heights...it could make you nervous...but in my opinion it was really quite safe...even with the little ones.It was a lot of fun and the views over Elba are spectacular. On a clear day you can really see the entire island. The ride takes about 18 minutes each way, it starts up through a forest of chestnut trees and then gets "above the treeline" to the top of the mountain. The terrian in interesting and it seemed like great hiking or mountain biking trails existed the whole way up.One last note- there's a (surprisingly) great microbrewery at the bottom that brews Elba beer using natural island springwater. We did a tasting of the 4 beers they were currently making, and each was good. The stout, specifically (made with hints of those Chestnuts I mentioned earlier) was nutty and delicious. If you like beer, it's a worthwhile diversion for a glass or two.

I hiked up to the top on path "5" to "00" to "5" again. Path "00" can be a moderate to hard climb in places with rock scrambling and the use of metal ropes. The view at the top is quite breathtaking and worth the effort. Beautiful views of the surrounding islands as well. It's nice to bring a lunch or snack to enjoy at the top. You can also go up on a lift to the top if you don't want to hike it, but I can't comment much on that part.