Bocca di Bonassa from the Bonifatu inn

Circular hike in the Bonifatu Forest starting from the inn (paid parking in season). Less frequented than the other routes. Shady forest trail, the view is often blocked by vegetation but there is a beautiful view at Bocca di Bonassa.

Details

2651007
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.23 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 729 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 725 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,220 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 528 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the end of the D251. Parking fee: €5 per car.

(S/E) Return to the entrance at the large chestnut tree just before the bridge and take the Mare e Monti trail on the left (clearly marked in orange), which you will follow to Bocca di Bonassa. At the start, the trail runs alongside the stream and then crosses it just before reaching Prince Pierre's house. Ignore the other trails and follow the orange markings.

(1) Pass the ruins and, a few minutes later, ignore a path to the right, continuing leftwards uphill through the forest, which gradually thins out. Continue on the Mare e Monti. Finish the climb by zigzagging through a pine forest to reach Bocca di l'Erbaghiolu.

(2) Highest point of the hike: enjoy a beautiful view of the Gulf of Calvi in the distance. The descent begins and the path leads gently to Bocca di Bonassa.

(3) At the pass, leave the Mare e Monti and the orange markings and turn right onto the red-marked path towards Bonifatu, which you will follow until the end of the hike. The path descends and gently leads you back to your starting point.

(4) Just before the road, don't miss the fork. Turn right and quickly climb a small ridge before descending towards the stream, which you will cross to find the path you took on the way up, leading back to the starting point on the left (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 535 m - Car park, large chestnut tree. Close to the - Figarella (fleuve)
  2. 1 : km 1.14 - alt. 698 m - Prince Pierre's House (ruins)
  3. 2 : km 4.52 - alt. 1,220 m - Bocca di l'Erbaghiolu
  4. 3 : km 5.48 - alt. 1,152 m - Bocca di Bonassa
  5. 4 : km 10.43 - alt. 528 m - Trail junction
  6. S/E : km 11.23 - alt. 533 m - Car park, large chestnut tree

Notes

Standard hiking equipment.
Dry toilets at the start (in season only).

Alternative route: at Bocca di Bonassa (3), you can continue straight on towards Punta di Bonassa (beautiful viewpoint) by following a path marked by cairns, but be careful as the scrub is quite dense and can scratch your legs! Enjoy the view and retrace your steps back to the pass, then continue the hike (20 minutes there and back).

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Lerocher
Lerocher

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Walking through the forest provides shelter from the bright sunshine on this 27th of August, offering relative coolness during this long, steady climb...
Note at point 3 a stone refuge strewn with various debris and "traces" of goats on the left of the pass towards Punta di Bonassa.
The varied descent allowed us to discover a variety of flowers, including cyclamen, heather and holm oaks...
The short climb at the end was nice after this long descent and allowed us to fully deserve our beer at the forest inn.
A lovely 4 hour 45 minute hike (not including stops), ending in the waters of Figuarella...

Machine-translated

pareige
pareige

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We particularly enjoyed the climb. The forest is very beautiful and the view of the mountains is impressive.

Machine-translated

damasa47
damasa47
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Excellent hike, the second part is very long.

Machine-translated

fabibi
fabibi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy and pleasant hike
The climb through the Laricio pine trees is magical, and the summit offers stunning views of the sea
The welcome at the hostel is very friendly, and the owner gave us good advice

Machine-translated

Valérie G
Valérie G

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 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, the outward journey is a bit long and monotonous, but the views are worth it.
I preferred the return trip in terms of scenery, and the final climb is quite manageable.

Machine-translated

efao45
efao45

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hikes with a good elevation gain and superb views of the mountains and Calvi Bay.
Due to its elevation gain from the outset and its length, this hike is reserved for experienced hikers.

Machine-translated

caouec
caouec

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, but in terms of distance, I would say it's a little more than average in difficulty.
A good, steady climb through the forest, which keeps you cool, with beautiful views at points 2 and 3.
Steady but long descent, and the climb back up at point 4 can be a bit of a pain after 5½ hours of walking.
I don't think the return route between points 3 and 4 is very popular; hikers climb up to La Bocca and descend via the same route, like those who do the Mare i Monti.

Machine-translated

Bernes29
Bernes29

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike in magnificent surroundings.
The start is challenging, with 4 km of serious climbing.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.