A circular route via Bocca di Guagnarola and Bocca di Cuccavera from Le Fer à Cheval

Start from the car park at a place called Le Fer à Cheval on the D84 road between Albertacce and the Col de Vergio.

(S/E) Head north-west, following the signs for the Bergeries de Radule. At the first Fork in the road, keep left (ignore the nature trail on the right). You’ll come to a T-junction.

(1) Follow the GR®20 to the right (red and white markings) to reach the Bergeries de Radule.

(2) Continue to the right, heading north-east along the GR®.

(3) Take the footbridge over the Golo and head up to the left, north-north-west, running parallel to the river.

(4) Cross the Golo again via a footbridge. Continue climbing alongside the river.

(5) Turn left towards Bocca di Guagnarola (let the GR®20 continue straight on towards the Ciuttulu Refuge). Climb up steep switchbacks to the pass (magnificent views).

(6) Descend down the other side (west). Follow numerous switchbacks between rocky faces. Then enter the forest.

(7) For those who wish, carry on straight on towards the Puscaghia Refuge. Further on, ignore a turn-off to the left and you’ll soon reach the refuge (where meals and overnight accommodation are available).

(8) Retrace your steps.

(7) Head towards Mazza (slightly to the right if coming from the refuge, sharply to the left if you have not made the return trip). Cross a stream and reach the Mazza sheepfold (in ruins).

(9) Continue straight on towards the Col de Calvelle (ignore a path on the right). Walk south-west then west to the Bocca di Cuccavera.

(10) Carry on straight ahead, heading south-west along a track.

(11) When the track turns right, leave it and take a path that heads left into the forest. Go round a rocky outcrop on the right.

(12) You’ll come out onto a track; follow it to the left towards Bocca a u Saltu.

(13) Near the Saltu forest shelter (panoramic view), follow a track to the right (east) downhill. Stay on the track until you reach the second bridge, the Pont de Casterica.

(14) Cross this bridge and, at the first Fork in the road, keep left (Route des Condamnés).

(15) After about fifty metres, turn left onto a path and follow the signposted ‘Mare à Mare Nord’ route towards the Col de Vergio. Further on, the path gives way to a track.

(16) Leave this track at the signpost pointing left towards the Col de Vergio. Head uphill through the forest, keeping a north-north-easterly direction.

(17) Just as you emerge from the woods, turn right to reach the Col de Vergio (D84).

(18) Take the second path on the left, roughly straight ahead (east-northeast; let the Mare à Mare Nord head further to the left, towards the north). Descend through the forest to a junction with the GR®20.

(19) Cross it and carry on straight ahead (east) along the path. Cross the D84 carefully, continue straight ahead and you’ll soon reach another junction.

(20) Take the Sentier de Ronde on the left. Walk between the two branches of the D84 to reach the Fer à Cheval car park (S/E).

I completed this walk in a single day in July 2026 in dry weather. My personal time: 8 hours’ walking (not including breaks).

For information, the FFR difficulty rating is 132, which is classified as ‘Very Difficult’ for an average level of fitness.

Make sure to take plenty of water per person.

Places to eat: Bergeries de Radule (2); Puscaghja Mountain Hut (8); Vergio Pass Refreshment Stand (18); Vergio Pass Inn, on the D84 between Le Fer à Cheval and the Vergio Pass.

Accommodation along the route (if you wish to split the walk into two sections: Puscaghja Mountain Hut (8) (remember to book in advance).

Near the Radule Sheepfolds (2): the waterfalls (follow the blue markings).

Beyond Porto: the Calanches de Piana.