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To get to the starting point: coming from Sartène - Propriano, take the D268 towards Lévie. Before Sainte-Lucie-de-Tallano, turn left onto the D320 towards Olmiccia. Drive through the village, then through Poggio de Tallano and park on the left-hand side of the road between the second-to-last and last houses, just after a street on the right that goes up towards Sainte-Lucie (Rue Micuccio).
(S/E) The trail begins in front of the last house with a concrete ramp that leads to the orange-marked path. These markings will follow you throughout the circular route. The trail enters a hillside forest and winds gently to a clearly marked crossroads indicating an ascent to the right towards Altagène.
(1) Continue straight ahead towards Saint-Jean-Baptiste, located a good hundred metres away.
(2) Take the time to visit this beautiful chapel on a plateau surrounded by cork oaks and centuries-old olive trees. Built in the 12th century, it was the main church in the valley. In pure Romanesque style with its semi-circular apse, it impresses with its simplicity, size and harmony. Retrace your steps back to the crossroads you came to on your way here.
(1) Take the small zigzagging path on the left to climb the first few metres and continue along the olive groves. The path climbs quite steeply and joins a road (D20), which you cross. Take the orange-marked path that climbs opposite and continue the climb, which alternates between sunken paths and hillside paths. When you arrive below Altagène, look out for the orange markings as the path turns sharply to the left at one point and climbs towards the first houses in the village. Reach Altagène between two old houses and then pass under another.
(3) Once you have passed under the house, admire the metal sculptures by a local artist that welcome you. There are a few benches where you can picnic or simply rest and admire the view of the small valley. The path climbs opposite the passage under the house and is marked by an orange arrow. It winds its way between the village houses and passes in front of the town hall (casa cumuna) before reaching the church: note the well-maintained and clean village as you pass by.
Pass in front of the church and continue along the road on the right until you reach an information board about the village. Then take the small path that descends to the left a few metres after the signs.
(4) An arrow indicates "Sainte Lucie 30mn". Follow this path down to Sainte-Lucie and arrive at Sant'Andréa (a 15th-century fortified house).
(5) Turn right for a few metres, then take the path on the left, passing in front of the church and leading to a street after climbing a staircase. Take another staircase opposite, follow the street to the left, then continue opposite on the road towards Sainte-Lucie de Tallano. Leave this road further on and follow the path on the right that leads to the village. In Sainte-Lucie, take the time to visit the village and its well-preserved fortified house.
(6) Look for the sign indicating the traditional oil mill and also the road (Micuccio) that you need to take to return to your starting point. Don't miss the old mill, which is in dire need of protection from the ravages of ivy and time.
After a final bend in front of the mill, descend to reach the road leading out of Poggio, where you will find the car park a few metres to the right (S/E).
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