Monte Capanne, Elba, Cable Car and Hike: Ultimate Guide
A comprehensive guide to Monte Capanne, Elba.
Brace yourself for a thrilling ride on the Monte Capanne cable car, an iconic journey on Elba Island, Italy. Â The vibrant yellow baskets will carry you up over lush mountain slopes, and leave you at the peak of Monte Capanne. Â Take in sweeping views of Elba and the Tuscan Archipelago below.
A visit to Monte Capanne is a must-do activity on your Elba holiday if you enjoy trekking, as you can take a rewarding hike back down the mountain.
Having loved my experience of the the Monte Capanne cable car and hike I’ll provide all the details you need to enjoy your own adventure to Monte Capanne.
Some posts on this site contain affiliate links to products or services I’ve found useful. If you make a purchase through these links I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). This helps keep the travel blog running, so thank you.
Monte Capanne Cable Car (Cabinovia Monte Capanne)
The fantastic Monte Capanne cable car (Cabinovia in Italian) offers the unique opportunity to travel up the side of a mountain for a 20-minute ride in what feels more like a Sainsbury’s shopping basket than a cable car. Don’t let that put you off though, it’s an excellent experience. On my trip, the ride was a largely smooth one. Sure, the bright yellow basket rocks about a little, but that’s all part of the fun and the views are incredible.
A maximum of two people are allowed in each basket so it’s also one of the best romantic things to do on Elba, if you like your fellow travelling companion. As the basket gets further away from the ground you might find yourself hanging on to them pretty tightly.
The Monte Capanne cable car journey takes 20 minutes, which is quite a long time for this kind of experience and means you have plenty of time to take photos and enjoy the ride. You’ll pass above thick carpets of fern and head up above the hikers and the tree line to reach the summit of the mountain.
How Do You Get to Monte Capanne Cable Car and Hike?
To get to the Monte Capanne cable car and hiking route you can take the bus from other parts of Elba. The bus ticket costs €3.90 each way (for an extra urbane ticket) if you buy it in advance from a newsagent, bar or the bus station. It will cost considerably more if you buy your ticket on the bus.
Remember to validate your ticket in the machine on the bus.
Pro Tip: If you have a paper bus ticket that’s too large for the slot, fold it in half vertically and then insert it into the machine.
Day rider tickets are also available for €10 for a whole day of bus journeys on Elba if you want to go somewhere else after Monte Capanne.
To get to Monte Capanne from Portoferraio take bus #116. Journey time is 50 minutes and buses go several times a day. Check the Elba bus website for up-to-date timetables.
The bus stop for the Monte Capanne cable car is right next to the Monte Capanne car park.
You can also check out all the details on car rental in Elba.
For all the details on how to get to Elba check out my article on the Piombino to Elba ferry.
Monte Capanne Cable Car Price
The Monte Capanne cable car price is not cheap.
A single journey in the bright yellow baskets of the Monte Capanne cable car costs €13.
Adult return ticket price: €20
Child from 4 to 10 years old, single: €10
Many visitors choose to go in the cable car in one direction only and complete the other direction by foot.
Monte Capanne Cable Car Opening Hours
Daily 10 am – 5.30 pm in July, August and September.
Daily 10 am – 5 pm in April, May, June and October.
The cable car runs continuously so you get on the next available one.
Monte Capanne Views
The views on the journey up and at the top of Elba’s Monte Capanne are stunning. The wonderful panoramic views take in Portoferraio, Elba’s main town, and spread beyond to the Italian mainland.
On a clear day, you can see the other islands in the Tuscan Archipelago, such as Pianosa, Capraia and Montecristo, and even catch a glimpse of Corsica.
At the top, there are plenty of rocks to pause on and get some great photos from. I was blown away by the combination of fluffy white cloud cover, verdant forest and the rich blue hues of the surrounding Tyrrhenian Sea. When you’re ready to caption your photos, check out my article on Instagram Hiking Captions for Your Feed.
Monte Capanne Summit
Monte Capanne summit, at 1019 metres high, provides incredible views. There’s also a small helipad at the top.
To reach the actual summit of the mountain, if you’ve arrived via the cable car, you need to follow the sign on the rocks directing you to the top. This short uphill walk will feel harder than it looks if your legs have gone to jelly during the cable car ride.
Once you reach the top, it’s a great opportunity to spend time appreciating the immense views and peaceful natural surroundings. I went during the shoulder season of September and set off early, so I was up at the top by late morning when it was still pretty quiet. However, in the summer and from midday onwards it gets busier.
The Bar at Monte Capanne
There’s a small hut selling snacks and drinks just below the summit. The bar was only accepting cash when I visited. This sure is one heck of a place to sit and take a drink. With views like this, it’s hard to summon up the energy to leave for the return hike.
Before you set off for the return trek, you’ll be glad to know that there’s a toilet at the top. You need to ask for the key at the bar and it’s down some steps to the left of the bar.
Monte Capanne Elevation
Monte Capanne has a height of 1019 metres. That altitude makes Monte Capanne the highest peak on Elba Island.
Monte Capanne Hike
You can hike up or down Monte Capanne, or do both if you really want to. The hiking path is route #101.
I hiked the return trek and can confirm that it’s tough at the top. The first 20 minutes require some scrambling down granite rocks, which turned out to be more like slipping in my case.
Covered shoes with a good grip are definitely needed here. Myself and many others were using a walking pole to help with the terrain. Other parts of the Monte Capanne hike are not so hard, with sections in the forest bringing some much-needed shade and a delicious fresh pine smell accompanies you on much of the walk.
There are several signposts along the way when you reach the intersection of different routes. You’ll also find markers every now and again to keep you on track. Although a few more would be even better. It’s hard to tell quite which way to walk over the rocky path in parts.
Half an hour from the end of the trail there’s a clearing with a couple of picnic benches, next to the restored church of San Cerbone. This was the site of the Hermitage of San Cerbone and was originally built in 575 AD.
Ten minutes from the end there’s a wooden footbridge, watch your step as it had a big hole in it when I visited.
Hike Difficulty
You can choose to hike up Monte Capanne and when I visited, I saw plenty of people doing this. It takes around two and a half to three hours and involves an increase in height of 650 metres.
I did the alternative option which was to take the Monte Capanne cable car up mount Capanne and then hike the route back down.
The trek to descend took me 2.5 hours including a 15-minute break. It will likely take you at least half an hour longer if you choose to go up the mountain instead of down.
I would personally classify the Monte Capanne hike difficulty as medium, due to the steep rocky section and the odd section where the path wasn’t that obvious.
Monte Capanne, Elba, Map
I’ve created a map that shows the bus stop to get off at for the cable car, the summit and the restaurant in Marciana listed in this guide. Click the arrow icon to the left of the map heading to view the name of each of the places marked.
Weather at Monte Capanne
It can get hazy and very hot during summer afternoons so set out in the early morning if you can.
Even if there’s cloudy weather down on the ground, take a look up at the Elba mountains to get a sense of how thick the cloud is. When I visited Monte Capanne I was pleased to see some clouds at the top, as it added to the views and the experience.
It can get windy at the top of the mounain and on the cable car, so take layers and something with long sleeves.
Other Things to Do: Visit Marciana
After you’ve completed Monte Capanne don’t miss a visit to the picturesque medieval town of Marciana. Founded in 35 BC, Marciana is the oldest village on Elba.
Things to Do in Marciana
One of the first things to do after you’ve come down the mountain of Monte Capanne is to wander through the maze of streets and pretty pastel-coloured houses in Marciana.
This is a traditional mountain town with an impressive painted interior roof of the 16th-century Church of Santa Caterina.
Next up, stop for drinks and food at one of the bars and restaurants that look out from the edge of Marciana towards the sea on Via Ca De Santi.
I recommend Birreria Bar la Porta. It might not look much from the outside but the food is great. There are bruschettas in all kinds of inventive flavour combinations, a cheese platter with amazing hard and soft cheeses, and toasted paninis. Or just opt for a delicious homemade cake of the day.
Once you’re done, head to the Marciana branch of one of Elba’s best gelaterias, Zero Gradi, for a refreshing ice cream.
After eating, check out the local fortress, Fortezza Pisana and visit the archaeology museum for a couple of euros.
If you still have energy after exploring Monte Capanne and Marciana, you can head over to one of Elba’s beautiful beaches at Marciana Marina, which is 7 km away.
Facilities in Marciana
Marciana may be small but it has several useful facilities. There’s a pharmacy, handicraft shops, bars, restaurants, a tourist information office and an ATM.
Free water is available at the water fountain next to the wooden bus shelter on the main road below the town (Strada Provinciale).
Marciana also has one of the best bus stops ever, as it comes with a free book exchange.
See What it’s Like at Monte Capanne Cable Car
Where Next?
Once you’ve finished visiting Elba, discover more of Italy with a trip to the gorgeous Minori on the Amalfi Coast, or explore the island of Ischia, home to more incredible Italian beaches.
More Elba Resources
Capo Bianco Beach on Elba, Italy: A Complete Guide
Fetovaia Beach on Elba, Italy: A Complete Guide
Piombino to Elba Ferry: Cheapest and Best Ways to Get to Elba