Starting point: Lacona
Endpoint: Procchio
Average time: 2 hours and 50 mins
Length: 9 km
Climb: 365 m
Difficulty level: Easy
Paths: GTE, no. 180 and no. 181

The Via dei Lecci begins by leaving the eastern side of the Lacona plateau and following several tracks that climb towards the first hills of the Serra del Pero, the crest leading to the ridge of hills and mountains that mark central Elba. We climb the steep initial section of path 215, first in sparser maquis and then through a dense wood that leads us to the top of the ridge. Here, we join the Grande Traversata Elbana (GTE) trail, this section of which runs along a wide cart track, the old military road that follows the top of the mountain ridge.

To the left, towards the west, we pass for some distance along a section of surfaced road through woods featuring fine hornbeam specimens and majestic holm oaks, after which we reach a clearing with a crossroads where we head right, leaving the GTE and heading north along path 248 which takes the form of a woodland track. The trail meets a firebreak path, moving further into north-facing vegetation before rejoining the crest firebreak, climbing for a short distance and then descending to the left towards Procchio bay through maquis shrublands and holm oak woods. After passing along a short section where paths 245 and 248 coincide, we head left on path 245 which then meets the provincial road, crossing it and continuing to the right of the small chapel of the Madonna di Montenero in a steep descent to the sea near Lamaia beach.

The trail continues on the western side, on the left of the beach, into Mediterranean maquis, following the coast, sometimes opening up stunning views, then reaching the bay and beach of Porticciolo. Here, we venture further into the greenery, climbing gradually and then entering a coppiced holm oak wood and more Mediterranean maquis, then reaching a surfaced road that leads to the path descending towards the sea and as far as Procchio beach.