Circular walk around the Capiaghja and Castagnu sheepfolds

A circular walk taking you to the Castagnu sheepfolds and then on to those of Capiaghja from Ponti à Seddula.

Details

37683915
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.47 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 833 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 837 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,560 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,867 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Bocognano (20136)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 42.093815° / E 9.101606°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 4252OT, 4252OTR
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

From Ajaccio, take the T21 then the T20 towards the Col de Vizzavona. Pass through the village of Bocognano and stop at Ponti à Seddula, which crosses the Gravona. Parking is available near the old bridge.

(S/E) The route starts on a track that climbs to the right of the T20, alongside the river, until it reaches a junction.

(1) Turn left before crossing the Gravona. Pass through two gates in succession, taking care to close them behind you. The path runs alongside a usually dry stream; it is marked with cairns and relatively well signposted with yellow markings on stones or beech trees. Continue to the crossroads by the sheepfold. It is on the left. You can see its roof made of ‘scandule’ (chestnut planks). You can continue the walk to the left to reach the Col de Vizzavona.

(2) Carry on past the sheepfold to reach the old oven, then another ruined sheepfold and a ‘compulu’ (a stone enclosure for milking sheep).

(3) Head back down and take the path on the left, signposted by a sign, towards the Capiaghja sheepfolds. Carry on straight ahead at the next junction and walk past a fountain. Take a moment to enjoy the scenery. Make sure you leave the gate closed on your return.

(4) Continue on to the sheepfolds, respecting the peace and quiet of the shepherds on their summer pastures. You can choose to continue the walk towards the village of Bocognano.

(5) Alternatively, head back down towards the fountain.

(4) Carry on following the track to the left. At the cairn on the left, cut across the hairpin bend in the track and then go straight on until you rejoin the track. Cross the river at the ford and arrive back at the junction where you started.

(1) Turn left and return to the car park via the same route you took on the way there (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,871 ft - Ponti à Seddula - Ecomusée U Palazzu
  2. 1 : mi 0.15 - alt. 2,976 ft - Junction of the circular loop – Gravona (river) – a tributary of the Prunelli - Gravona
  3. 2 : mi 0.68 - alt. 3,461 ft - U Castagnu sheepfold
  4. 3 : mi 0.74 - alt. 3,524 ft - Compulu
  5. 4 : mi 1.45 - alt. 3,491 ft - Fountain
  6. 5 : mi 1.52 - alt. 3,547 ft - A Capiaghja sheepfolds
  7. S/E : mi 2.47 - alt. 2,867 ft - Ponti à Seddula

Notes

A relatively easy walk. The path runs mainly through woodland, with a permanent spring near the Capiaghja sheepfolds.
There may be pigs grazing in the summer pastures; please take care not to disturb them by keeping a safe distance.

Worth a visit

There is a possible fork in the path towards the Col de Vizzavona at the Castagnu sheepfolds or towards the village of Bocognano at the a Capiaghja sheepfolds.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 17598353

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

If you enjoy feeling as though you’re the only person in the world and you like shaded walks, this one is perfect for you. However, please note: the start of the walk is very poorly signposted on the ground, so you really need to follow the Visiorando route on the map (don’t forget to download it from ), which is completely reliable.
You’ll need sturdy shoes as you’ll be walking through a dry riverbed for a short while

Machine-translated

Chromo
Chromo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A lovely walk in the shade, amongst the pigs (not just one or two, but dozens) who come to meet you, always curious but not in the least bit threatening. At the sheepfold, we met Martin, who lives there part of the time whilst his goats are on summer pasture, and from whom we bought some cheese. Much of the return journey follows the bed of a dry stream, and the going is sometimes a bit rough. The signposting is sparse here, but as long as you’re heading downhill :-).

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.