Round trip on the customs officers' path from Macinaggio to Barcaggio

A superb coastal route where the path alternates between beaches and small climbs to Capandola Bay. The terrain changes completely as you now have to climb 130 metres to reach a small pass, with an exceptional view of the Finocchiarola Islands on one side and Barcaggio Bay on the other.
The path runs along the cliffs, descends to the Agnello Tower and then levels out to Barcaggio.
The only difficulty lies in the length of the route.

Details

1535312
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 24.88 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 537 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 532 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 131 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Take the D80 (Cap Corse road from Bastia) to Macinaggio. Park in the harbour car park.

(S/E) Walk along the quay and head towards the breakwater.

(1) Walk along the beach and cross it until you reach a path on the right.

(2) Continue along the path, passing Punta di a Coscia. At this point, you will see the Finochiarola Islands. Follow the path to reach Tamarone Beach.

(3) Cross the beach and you will come to a junction.

(4) At the intersection, take the coastal path on the right. Continue down to a small beach near the Finochiarola Islands. The path continues westwards and reaches an intersection with a small path on the left that leads to the Santa Maria Chapel.

(5) Continue straight ahead towards the Santa Maria Tower.

(6) Retrace your steps for about 30 metres. Take the path again to reach the beginning of Capandola Bay.

(7) Walk along the coast before turning away from it to begin climbing. Reach a small pass.

(8) Continue along the ridge. The path climbs another ten metres or so before descending towards the Agnello Tower. The cliffs on the right are impressive.

(9) Take the path that continues to descend, arriving at an intersection.

(10) Continue to the right, crossing Cap Corse on the path marked by cairns. You will reach Cala beach.

(11) At the end of the beach, turn left onto a path just before the stream and reach a footbridge.
Cross the footbridge and turn right towards the port of Barcaggio. Continue to the port.

(13) After a break, take the same path back (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1 m - Car park at Macinaggio harbour
  2. 1 : km 0.21 - alt. 1 m - Jetty (green marker)
  3. 2 : km 0.91 - alt. 4 m - Direction Punta di a Coscia
  4. 3 : km 2.26 - alt. 3 m - Tamarone Beach
  5. 4 : km 2.78 - alt. 6 m - Coastal path
  6. 5 : km 4.78 - alt. 4 m - Intersection towards Santa Maria Chapel
  7. 6 : km 5.38 - alt. 0 m - Santa Maria Tour
  8. 7 : km 7.23 - alt. 15 m - Capandola Bay
  9. 8 : km 8.81 - alt. 119 m - Small pass
  10. 9 : km 9.57 - alt. 36 m - Agnello Tour
  11. 10 : km 9.98 - alt. 6 m - Continue right on the coastal path
  12. 11 : km 10.96 - alt. 1 m - Cala Beach
  13. 12 : km 11.94 - alt. 1 m - Path around the stream
  14. 13 : km 12.44 - alt. 1 m - Port of Barcaggio
  15. S/E : km 24.88 - alt. 1 m - Car park at Macinaggio harbour.

Notes

  • Santa Maria Della Chiappella Chapel.
  • Santa Maria Tower.
  • The Finocchiarola Islands.
  • Agnello Tower.
  • Refreshments available in Barcaggio.

(13) In summer, return trip possible by shuttle boat from Barcaggio.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 26503568

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful, straightforward hike
. Few difficulties apart from the heat. Bring hiking boots.
Swimming possible along the trail.
Arrival in Barcaggio is magnificent.
Return to Macinaggio by shuttle boat for €19 in 40 minutes – superb!

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User 8690977

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Simply a magnificent hike.
No difficulties apart from the heat and the distance: 24 km under the blazing sun, we were very happy to enjoy a little Pietra on arrival.
Enjoy your ride, everyone!

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Chis Coach
Chis Coach

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike rated as difficult.
Difficult due to the distance rather than the difficulty of the route. However, be sure to bring plenty of water.
For hikers with weak ankles, good high-top shoes are recommended 😉👍

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Chis Coach
Chis Coach

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike rated as difficult.
Difficult due to the distance rather than the difficulty of the route. However, remember to take water with you.

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Nicole Monf.
Nicole Monf.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike through stunning landscapes; the wild side of the coast is fantastic.
Not particularly difficult, except for the heat: if possible, set off very early in the morning. We had to turn back at Plage des Français in anticipation of a return journey under the scorching July sun.
The markings are clearly visible.
Swimming is regularly possible in very uncrowded areas.

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Océane01
Océane01

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike to visit Cap Corse. Beautiful views from start to finish. Towards the end of the walk, you can see both the east and west sides of the island at the same time. Once in Barcaggio, I went on to Tollare (add 20 minutes of walking time). You can swim along the entire route.
For the return journey, I took the shuttle boat from Barcaggio to Macinoggio. The ticket costs €19 for a 40-minute crossing.
The return trip by boat allowed me to see the entire route from the sea.

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rage2001
rage2001

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike at the north-eastern tip of Cap Corse, along the famous customs officers' path from Macinaggio to Barcaggio.
Right from the start of the trail, after passing Punta di a Coscia, there are beautiful views of the Finocchiarola Islands. One of them is topped by a beautiful Genoese tower, giving it the appearance of an island from Tintin's "The Black Island".
Next, the Santa Maria tower, partially demolished by the English at the end of the 18th century, comes into view.
At Capandola Bay, the path climbs slightly and then descends towards Punta d'Agnello, where the tower of the same name stands majestically.
All that remains now is to skirt around an area of dunes occupied by cattle, walk along Cala beach and you will reach the port of Barcaggio, from where you can return to the starting point by boat.

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P.cholet
P.cholet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful parish-specific to Brittany hike along the sea. We did it during a rather cloudy weekend in May, which certainly gave the cliffs a Breton feel, but had the big advantage of not being too hot (although my partner still got sunburnt).
We enjoyed everything: the beaches and their cows, the flowering scrubland, the cliff rocks, the Genoese towers, the villages at the start and finish, the view of the islands...
We did it in 7 hours, taking our time on the way there and less on the way back!

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oponcin
oponcin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Some aerial views of the first part of the hike, up to the Genoese tower of Santa Maria
https://youtu.be/KM1l6t5m0rc

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bebo
bebo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Magnificent views of the coastline. Easy but long hike, especially when it is very hot. Lots of seaweed (posidonia) on the beaches in August 2019 following storms in July.

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Randocaz
Randocaz
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It is possible to make this hike much more accessible by taking the boat from Macinaggio (departure at 10 a.m. in June). There is a beautiful view of the route on the return journey from the sea. The duration and elevation gain are halved for a reasonable price (€17 for the boat trip with explanations of the landscape by the captain). And this allows you to take a dip in the sea at one of the last beaches before Macinaggio to relax and refresh yourself after your efforts!

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