Poggio: Hiking, Village Structure and Churches

Poggio combines clearly distinct hiking experiences with a villagescape that has preserved its medieval layout. It is also home to notable churches, an obelisk in Piazza Umberto I, a spring in the woods around Poggio Terme and an evening shuttle service between several locations. If you would like to combine nature and culture on your trip, you will find various specific points of interest here.

Hiking routes with different courses

A circular route along Sentieri Elba Nos. 181 and 180, Provincial Road No. 25 and Sentiero Elba No. 157 connects Marciana Marina, Poggio and Marciana. This loop is specified as taking approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. The route passes through holm oak forests (Quercus ilex), dense maquis dominated by Italian buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus) and Spanish broom (Spartium junceum), as well as heath-and-strawberry-tree communities with Erica arborea and strawberry trees (Arbutus unedo). A planted pine forest created through reforestation is also part of the route.

Another option is GTE Stage 3 from Procchio to Poggio. It is 11.84 km long and has an average walking time of 5 hours. This gives you two clearly described routes with different starting points and courses to choose from. The Percorso Spirituale from Poggio begins on the district's Piazza del Castagneto, which is completely paved with granite slabs, and adds another starting point for exploring the hiking opportunities alongside the longer routes.

Medieval Spatial Layout and Notable Buildings

Poggio has preserved the spatial layout characteristic of a medieval village. An obelisk by Giò Pomodoro stands in Piazza Umberto I. The Chiesa di San Niccolò combines the functions of a church and a fortress; two bastions stand on either side of its façade. Poggio is also home to the Chiesa di San Defendente. It was built at the beginning of the 16th century and renovated in 1876. In the village, you will therefore encounter both the preserved spatial structure of a medieval village and individual buildings with a clearly documented history and distinctive form.

Spring, Shuttle and Autumn Tradition

The low-mineral Fonte di Napoleone spring lies in the woods around Poggio Terme. At a drinking fountain, you can fill up with water there free of charge. MòviMarciana provides connections between the towns: this evening shuttle service links Marciana, Poggio and Marciana Marina. A traditional aspect of the village is also documented: the Castagnata in Poggio is an autumn festival held as part of the Settimana delle castagne and has already reached its sixth edition.

Other Places to Choose From

If, in addition to Poggio, you would also like to look at Procchio, Pomonte, Marciana Marina, La Guardia and Chiessi, you can include these places in your further selection as well.

For the overarching travel overview: Marciana.