Return trip from Cucuruzzu to the footbridge towards Zonza

A beautiful historical and cultural walk on a variant of the Mare à Mare Sud. A well-maintained and signposted trail for an easy family hike, mostly shaded, to a ruined mill and a beautiful footbridge. Return via the same route.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.13 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 221 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 221 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 746 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 608 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Levie (20170)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 41.717419° / E 9.12862°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 4254ET, 4254OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the Cucuruzzu and Capula prehistoric site, 3 km before Lévie when coming from Sainte Lucie de Tallano on the D268.
Orange markings throughout the hike.

(S/E) Head towards the entrance to the Cucuruzzu site and, just before you reach it, take the wide forest path on the right. Walk along the site and you will soon reach the rocky outcrop. Make your way through the rocks to reach the Saint-Laurent Chapel.
Continue along the gently sloping path, often between two dry stone walls, until you reach the crossroads of the Mare a Mare and its variant.

(1) Turn right onto the steeply sloping Mare a Mare variant to quickly reach a small pass. Descend a slippery but short slope to a crossroads. Turn right and you will reach a Y-junction.

(2) Turn left onto a beautiful stone-lined track that quickly leads into a forest. Follow the path, which alternates between rocky climbs, descents and gentle slopes on a mostly sandy track. Cross a forest track and continue, still following the orange markings.
Cross two small streams to reach the edge of the Pian di Santu stream. Follow it along a corbel until you reach an old mill.

(3) Continue along the path until you reach a beautiful footbridge.

(4) Retrace your steps to return to the car park at Cucuruzzu (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 745 m - Car park at the prehistoric site
  2. 1 : km 1.88 - alt. 692 m - Mare a Mare crossroads and alternative route
  3. 2 : km 2.29 - alt. 709 m - Y-junction
  4. 3 : km 4.33 - alt. 614 m - Ruined mill
  5. 4 : km 4.53 - alt. 631 m - Footbridge over the - Rizzanese (fleuve)
  6. S/E : km 9.13 - alt. 745 m - Car park at the prehistoric site

Notes

There are no drinking water sources or shelters along the way.
Good walking shoes are recommended, especially for some rocky or muddy sections at certain times of year.
Food and accommodation available in Lévie, Zonza or Sainte-Lucie-de-Tallano.

Worth a visit

(S/E) Cucuruzzu site
Between (S/E) and (1), the history of Corsica is detailed on numerous information panels placed along the rocky passage. They can give you some good ideas for places to visit during the rest of your stay.
Between (S/E) and (1) The small Saint-Laurent Chapel is located in a magnificent setting.
Between (2) and (3) Admire the magnificent chestnut trees, one of which is partially burnt and hollow, from which a witch could emerge.
Between (2) and (3) The Pian di Santu stream is one of the streams that make up the Rizzanese River, which flows into the Gulf of Valinco along with the Taravo and Baracci rivers.
Along the way, information panels on the history of Corsica are a valuable aid to understanding the history of the island and its various inhabitants.
(3) The ruined mill: it is very interesting because, in addition to its millstone, which is still in place, you can see the water supply system and its partially filled supply channel. The ruined mill is interesting because of the state of preservation of its supply channel and complements the mills on the Monaccia d'Aullène heritage trail.
(4) The footbridge allows you to cross the stream and continue on to Zonza a few hundred metres above.
The hike can be combined with a visit to the Cucuruzzu site (a protohistoric site from the Bronze Age) and Capula (remains of a 10th- to 13th-century fortress). This site is one of the island's must-see prehistoric treasures, listed as a national heritage site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
PHLNT72
PHLNT72

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The route is almost entirely shaded, ideal on hot days. As it would be a shame not to take the opportunity to visit the archaeological site, allow an extra 3 km and 2 hours to visit the two strongholds and the chapel. On certain days of the week, archaeologists are present to demonstrate how ancient objects (weapons, tools, jewellery, utensils) were made using traditional techniques, while happily sharing their techniques: extremely interesting! jewellery, utensils) using traditional techniques while happily discussing their techniques: really interesting!

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md.lefevre@orange.fr
md.lefevre@orange.fr

Hello and thank you for your review.
However, I think there has been a slight mistake in the directions, as I don't think you can see the cliffs of Bonifacio from Cucuruzzu, or else the deforestation has been really extensive...
Kind regards,

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Luc1
Luc1

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike with views of Bonifacio, the lighthouse, and the limestone and granite cliffs.

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Lalalapoum
Lalalapoum

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk through the woods of southern central Corsica. Easy going with a few gentle climbs suitable for all. At the end of the walk, if you climb a few hundred metres higher, you can reach the village of Zonza.

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julien1983
julien1983

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk, slippery footbridge in wet weather, my partner fell on her bottom, some information about the history of the mill would be welcome.

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yvan01
yvan01

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Very shaded route, but not very interesting. An old mill before the footbridge.
Good family walk.

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julien1983
julien1983

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Shaved

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ludo12
ludo12

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike

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