Incantesimu

Located north of Aléria, the Etang de Diane is renowned for its oyster and mussel production. It is surrounded by wetlands and marshes that constitute protected areas, thus hosting large populations of sedentary or migratory birds and sometimes endemic species.

The Arche de Corte or Arche de Padule (referring to the sheepfolds located higher up) or Arcu di Scandulaghiu (in Corsican) is a granite sculpture located at an altitude of 1,500 metres, overlooking the Tavignano valley. The Arche is located between the citadel of Corte and the Calacuccia dam.

Rocky summit with beautiful panoramic views. Climbing towards Sari Solenzara, view of the Bavella peaks. Located between earth and sky, in the shadow of Monte Santu, in the heart of untouched wild scrubland, the monastery of Assunta Gloriosa is set in a majestic landscape. To the west, the Bavella peaks rise up with force and grandeur. To the south, the terrain overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea, which stretches as far as the eye can see.

Waterfall hikes in a magical mountain setting. This beautiful and varied hike through the Manganello Valley is suitable for all.

When nature becomes a spectacle. Secret yet welcoming, the Ucelluline waterfall (meaning "little bird" in Corsican) offers a striking setting that will leave a lasting impression. Between the villages of Santa Maria Poggio and San Nicolao, discover this wild and unspoilt site where fresh, clear water flows before your eyes and continues its journey to the sea. This walk is very popular during the day, but also at night, when its misty veil is fully illuminated and will fill you with wonder.

The Pozzines (from the Corsican word i Pozzi, meaning wells) are acidic peat bogs crossed by winding streams. They are located at altitudes between 1,700 and 2,300 metres. They occupy depressions formed by ancient glacial lakes, which were filled in by clay deposits and numerous dead plants. In Corsica, the deposits of the oldest pozzines are thought to date back around 12,000 years.

The Tavignano Valley is one of Corsica's most beautiful mountain valleys. It offers a deep, rocky gorge with numerous pools, and above all, the valley is a hiker's kingdom. From Corte, only a well-preserved old mule track leads into the wild Tavignano Gorge. At the Passerelle di u Russulinu, you'll find pools in the torrent, guaranteed to cool you down in hot weather like this year (2017).

You’ll be delighted by the unique view of the Cappelaccia sheepfolds. We are now at the highest point of the vast Alzo plateau and can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view stretching from Rotondo to Cinto, via Punta Artica and Paglia Orba. A large sign and red markings show us the way forward.

Arriving on a small plateau, the path continues until it crosses a small stream. Then, a narrow, winding path where you may encounter some wild pigs takes you up under chestnut trees to the Col de la Croix. From there, follow the track to the right and discover the splendid panorama of the eastern plain, the sea, and the Monti Renoso and Kyrie Eleison (Christe Eleison). The track then descends to the village of Ghisoni.

The village of Tallone will charm you with its view of the natural heritage of the coastline, where the Tyrrhenian Sea meets the ponds of Diane, Urbinu, del Sale and Terrenzana. The lower part of the village opens onto an imposing square where the Baroque church of Saint-Cézaire stands, its forecourt built with a particular type of rock called gneiss. Its carved door and bell tower are truly admirable.

You will be delighted to discover the surrounding high peaks; this path will lead you through a beautiful beech forest and to the foot of the Undella waterfall (Ondella waterfall).

The trail starts at the northern end of the long beach of Macinaggio, covered with a thick layer of Posidonia leaves. The route, marked in yellow, follows the rugged coastline and is punctuated by two Genoese towers. Superb views of the neighbouring islands of Capraia and Elba. Some Corsican specialities, the Filles du Cap on the beach (see photos). Caution! This is an extremely fragile area with a wealth of flora and fauna.

In all seasons, Lac de Carcans Hourtin (the largest natural lake in France, 18 km long and 5 km wide) inspires tranquillity. We take the old La Gracieuse cycle path, which is unfortunately now in poor condition. It runs alongside theGR®8, the Way of St James, and leads from the Bombannes base to the tip of La Gracieuse on the western shore of the lake.

The Dunes ABC at Cap Ferret is a nature trail. On this trail, which runs along the back of the dunes, walkers will discover a large photo album from north to south, organised alphabetically from A for "Algae" to Z for "Zoster".

From the Capanelle Refuge, on theGR®20, it takes about 30 minutes to reach the Traggette sheepfolds. This is followed by the climb to Bastani Lake, which peaks at an altitude of 2,089 metres opposite Monte Renoso (2,352 metres). Bastani Lake, located in Haute-Corse, is one of the highest lakes in Corsica. This magnificent glacial lake, frozen for seven months of the year, owes its beautiful emerald green colour to the presence of filamentous algae.

Following this Zalana-Matra trail, you will cross a chestnut grove, then take a steep, sloping path that winds through thick scrubland and overlooks impressive precipices in places. Along the way, you will admire a very old mill, then cross an authentic Genoese bridge over the Bravone, the Alisu bridge. Then climb back up through a chestnut forest and finish your walk at the Matra cross (the return point of the hike).

A little-known but magnificent waterfall. It is situated on the outskirts of the village of Pianello on the D16, on the road to Matra, just past the bridge. It is an oasis of coolness and flows in the shade of trees so leafy that they barely let any sunlight through. Next comes Punta di Caldane, offering a magnificent view of the sea, passing through the forgotten hamlet of Saint-Vincent and its chapel, then the I Peri sheepfolds. You can, of course (!!), shorten the walk.

The Atlantic Wall (Atlantikwall in German) is an extensive system of coastal fortifications built by the Third Reich during the Second World War along the western coast of Europe to prevent an invasion of the continent by the Allies from Great Britain. This walking trail follows the concrete road that served the blockhouses, which were used as forward posts.

The village of Murato invites you to discover a trail called Histoire de pierres et d'eau (History of Stones and Water). It is a tourist circuit between village and nature where you can discover Murato Supranu (upper part of the village) and Murato Sottanu. You will pass through narrow streets, old houses, churches, chapels, fountains, pagliaghji (straw huts), wash houses and bread ovens. This route is not intended to be a long hike, but it has the merit of allowing you to discover the past and can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Beautiful hike, beautiful landscapes, beautiful beech and Laricio pine forests, superb lake. Lake Nielluccio is located between Monte Renoso and the Ventosa ridge (1,954 m) in the municipality of Ghisoni in the department of Haute-Corse. Lake Nielluccio is a glacial lake in Haute-Corse and is one of five lakes around Monte Renoso (2,352 m) and the Fiumorbo watershed. GPS coordinates of the lake: 42° 03′ 42″ North, 9° 08′ 28″ East Source: Wikipedia

Sant'Antonino is located in the heart of Balagne, perched at an altitude of 500 metres on a granite peak near L'Île-Rousse and Calvi, between the sea and the mountains. The village overlooks the Aregno plain on one side and part of the Reginu plain on the other. A veritable eagle's nest, it consists of around 75 houses, built close together and winding around a granite peak, forming a labyrinth to better resist any invaders (Source: Wikipedia).

At an altitude of 377 m above Lumio lies the ruined village of Occi. In the 15th century, it was inhabited by people who had deserted the coast to flee the Saracens. The 17th and 18th centuries saw the decline of the village. Occi was attached to Lumio in 1852. Felice Giudicelli, known as Fra Felice, the last inhabitant, died there on 22 November 1918. The 15th-century Baroque church of the Annunziata was rebuilt from its ruins (the work was partly financed by Laetitia Casta).

This paved path, supported by a magnificent dry stone wall, can be considered exceptional for the quality of its construction. It was the only route available to those travelling by mule from Piana to Porto and Ota in the early19th century. The Piana-Porto road was only opened in 1850 by Napoleon III. From then on, this route was used for communication. Source: Piana Town Hall. The return journey is via the Calanche di Piana.

The old Petra Rossa mine, known as the Finosa mine, opened in 1912 to extract lead, silver, manganese and iron ores, and was closed after the Second World War. Source: WikipediaThe Finosa mines extracted silver-bearing lead (galena, cerussite), zinc (blende) and copper (bornite).Most of the mining at La Finosa was carried out in open pits.Prospecting on the site began in the 1910s. Source: Ghisoni Civil Heritage.

In Haute-Corse, the village of Porri was one of the strongholds of the island's resistance movement. Near the village, a refuge cave known as the "Grotte des Maquisards" (Maquis Cave), which served as the Resistance's headquarters, recalls the contribution of Porri and the Casinca region to the liberation of Corsica. It is well guarded by the Vincetti, Vittori, Bébé Arrighi, Antoine Battesti, Noël Agostini and many others. Source: France 3 Corse ViaStella

These sheepfolds, which are in very good condition, mark the end of a forest area. The group of sheepfolds forms a small hamlet of several well-restored huts. The surroundings are magnificent, with large rock formations and the Riviseccu stream. Shaded throughout, the route follows an old forest track that climbs gradually through a forest where beech trees are omnipresent, in contrast to the Laricio pine trees along the stream.

This is a route with little elevation gain in the mountains above Rutali, ideal for a family walk. In the middle of the scrubland, there are arbutus trees, oaks and a few chestnut trees. You quickly find yourself isolated in wild nature at an altitude of 600 metres with views of the sea to the east and west. We are facing the base of Cap Corse.

The chapel of Ainhoa, dedicated to Our Lady, was built on the side of Mount Atsulai at an altitude of 389 metres. Below the chapel, a small cave has been reconstructed. The statue of the Blessed Virgin dominates a spring near which Mary is said to have appeared in a hawthorn bush to a shepherd who exclaimed: "aranza zu" or "you in a hawthorn bush!". Source: Heritage of the Basque Country

Bouliac boasts a rich heritage. Numerous stately homes and châteaux dot the commune’s landscape, bearing witness to a rich past and an era when Bordeaux merchants made their fortunes through the commercial activity of the Port de la Lune and sought to acquire beautiful residences on the hillsides, just a few kilometres from the city. Source: Bouliac Town Hall

This 7.7 km circular route starts in the current village of Fargues-Saint-Hilaire, at the Sunday market square, and takes you on a tour of beautiful shaded paths. Part of the route passes through Carignan-de-Bordeaux, where you will discover an unusual place. .