La Guardia: Coastal Paths, Lighthouse and Patresi

La Guardia: Coastal Paths, Lighthouse and Patresi

Village Character and Paths

The historic settlement of La Guardia remained almost unchanged for centuries, until tourism began in the late 1950s. The nearby Faro di Punta Polveraia stands on the rocks of the cliff of the same name, 52 metres above the sea. In the village, the history of La Guardia and the rocky landscape around the lighthouse are therefore found directly alongside one another.

The Via dell’Essenza leads to Patresi, runs near the Faro di Punta Polveraia and continues to the sea. It crosses abandoned dry-stone walls, old tracks and mule paths, as well as more recent sections of road. The transition between these types of paths characterises the route to the sea. When planning the route for a day of hiking, the different sections can be treated as separate stages. For a day of hiking on the Via dell’Essenza, it is therefore important to consider not only the destination but also the sequence of path types.

The coastal path at La Guardia is part of the Via dell’Essenza via Sentiero No. 150. Sentiero No. 150 begins in La Guardia near Patresi and leads to Zanca, running directly along the steep coast above the sea. The short Sentiero per Punta Polveraia can be reached via the paved road leading to the sea from Patresi. The route between Patresi and Monte Capanne offers views stretching from Capraia to Corsica. For route planning in Patresi, the paved access road therefore provides a different approach from the coastal route above the steep cliffs.

Coast and Activities

Patresi lies on a promontory descending towards the sea. The nearby Spiaggia di Punta Polveraia is a small beach in a cove enclosed by steep cliffs and characterised by white pebbles.

In the area around Patresi, trekking and cycling are possible on the paths of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. Canoeing, kayaking and snorkelling are also among the possible water sports. When planning a day in the area around Patresi, land routes and water activities can therefore be considered separately.

Patresi is one of the endpoints of the Grande Traversata Elbana, a trail connecting the eastern and western ends of the island of Elba. On the “Le Vie dei Caprili” route, the second and third Caprile are reached by taking the GTE in the direction of Patresi.

Culture and Local Traditions

The nearby Santa Lucia Chapel, dating from 1760, is part of the area’s cultural heritage. The onions of Patresi are among the vegetable varieties preserved from extinction on Elba and are considered an example of the protection of agricultural biodiversity. Every year on 11 August, the Amici di Patresi e Colle d’Orano association organises a dinner at the Patresi landing stage. The combination of chapel, vegetable variety and event thus spans the history of architecture and present-day local traditions.

Other places for planning your own trip include Poggio, Pomonte, Marciana Marina, Chiessi and Procchio.

For the broader travel overview: Marciana.