Brando walks

With its crumbling Genoese tower, picturesque narrow streets, vaulted passageways and fishing harbour, the village of Erbalunga is a renowned holiday destination, brimming with charm and poetry. Situated on the east coast of Cap Corse, this picturesque listed site has inspired many local painters who have come to capture its spirit on canvas. Brando’s marina welcomes you to a setting suspended in time. From the village of Erbalunga, you’ll head inland from the coast into the Corsican mountains towards Silgaggia, then Castello and finally Mausoleo, before returning to Erbalunga.

Climb up to see the Genoese Bridge and enjoy a view overlooking Erbalunga.

At an altitude of 1,307 metres, Monte Stello is the second highest peak in Cap Corse. This viewpoint on the central ridge of Cap Corse offers a magnificent panorama of the east and west coasts.

A hike in a magnificent corner of Cap Corse. Very beautiful view on both sides at the summit. From the village to the summit, a true corner of Corsica. Pure. Authentic.

A beautiful circular hike offering views of both the city of Bastia and Saint-Florent at its highest point on the ridge trail. It is well shaded with several water sources and follows part of the heritage trail near Pietrabugno. There are a few sections on the road near Bastia, but these are fairly quiet.

This short, easy walking route takes you around Bastia’s old town, the old harbour, the magnificent Aldilonda footpath and the citadel.

Climb from the village of Farinole to the old magnetite mine. Panoramic view of the Gulf of Saint-Florent and the Agriates desert.

The Chjassu di u Cunventu is a village loop trail that allows you to discover Farinole and its breathtaking landscapes. Starting from the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian, the route passes through the village before reaching the maquis. It runs alongside the Marianda convent, then takes a panoramic path from which you can see the marina and the Genoese tower of Farinole. Finally, the path rejoins the forest canopy before returning to the village.

Starting from Barbaggio town hall (heading downhill), the Chjassu Napuleone crosses the village before entering a forest, where you can see old agricultural gardens on either side of the path. The richness of this route continues when you take the "imperial road" that gave the trail its name. Before becoming emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have walked this road. The trail can also be taken in the opposite direction (uphill), starting from the bridge at the intersection of Strada San Petru and Strada Napuleone. If you are only doing a one-way trip, i.e. not returning, remember to leave one car at the starting point and another at the end.

Thanks to this route, which takes in places and monuments steeped in history as well as magnificent natural surroundings, the municipality of Patrimonio—which initiated and oversaw this project—offers a lovely walk of just over 3 km. This informative walk allows you to discover the village’s historical and architectural heritage via well-shaded paths or riverside routes, which are very pleasant in summer and, for the lucky residents, at any time of year.

A beautiful walk, surrounded by the vineyards of Patrimonio, between Monte San'Angelo and Col de Teghime.

The Balcons trail, starting from the Belvédère de Barbaggio (downhill) or the RD238 (uphill), offers a nearly 10 km round trip with continuous views of the vineyards and the Conca d'Oru. It can also be taken as a one-way trip (5 km) by leaving a car at the end point and another at the starting point. Surrounded by scrubland, this trail offers remarkable views of the landscapes of the Grand Site de France Conca d'Oru, the Patrimonio vineyards, the Gulf of Saint-Florent and the limestone chain of Mont Sant'Anghjulu, whose six iconic hills are the visual signature of the area.

A walk suitable for everyone, offering the chance to discover part of the heritage of the village of Barrettali.

From Olzu beach, follow the coastal path to admire the beautiful coves and inlets. Wear sturdy footwear.

Perched at an altitude of over 500 metres, the Tower of Seneca overlooks the Col de Santa Lucia. It protected both the Pinu coastline and the coastline bordering the Luri valley on the other side of Cap Corse. To reach it, the route suggests approaching it via the ridges overlooking it to the north and returning via the village of Luri.

A walk in the heights of Cap Corse. Views of the sea, the cape, the Corsican mountains and Italy in the distance. Corsica seen from above.

This short walk is an alternative to the ascent to the Tower of Seneca. It allows you to set off directly from the Col de Santa Lucia along a track (not a road) that is relatively easier: no scree and few exposed rocks. The path is very well maintained; it follows the ridge along the watershed, offering breathtaking views over the Luri valley with the Island of Elba in the background and, at times, even Italy. On the final stretch, you can also enjoy the view to the west and of Seneca’s Tower on the other side of the pass. As this is a round trip, the duration can easily be adjusted to suit your preferences. Much of the route is shaded by the maquis.

From the outskirts of Oletta, an old mule track leads to Saint-Florent across the plain. At its end stands the Cathedral of Nebbio, well worth a visit or a return visit.After a short detour through the vineyards of the Patrimonio appellation, which offers a superb view of the gulf and the start of Cap Corse, the walker reaches the town, its citadel and its harbour.The quays, once home to fishing boats, are now home to the largest marina on the ‘Isle of Beauty’. Once you’ve crossed the Pont Neuf over the Aliso, the renovated sea wall and Roya beach reveal much more accessible attractions such as angling and swimming.The return journey follows a rural municipal path lined with shepherds’ huts – known as ‘pagliaghji’ – built from white Saint-Florent stone. See restrictions on use of the route in the practical information section, subject to weather conditions

Monte Magna is situated at the western edge of the municipality of Poggio d’Oletta.Before reaching the summit, walkers will probably be tempted to take a short round trip to explore the ruins of the Chapel of San Petru di Mozenzana, whose first apse is thought to date fromthe 7th century. This dating, combined with the building’s relatively good state of preservation, is undoubtedly what makes it such a moving place. You will need to return to the main path to reach the summit of Monte Magna at an altitude of 233 metres. The360°viewsfrom there are exceptional. As well as the villages, the Nebbiu plain and the Tenda massif, you can admire the landscapes of the ‘Conca d’Oru – Patrimonio Vineyard – Gulf of Saint-Florent’ triptych , which have earned this natural site its place in the Grands Sites de France network. This route is strongly discouraged from 15 July to 31 October 2026 See practical information

This coastal hike allows you to explore this desert via a very pleasant trail and swim in idyllic coves.

The Chjassu Maria Gentile is a pretty walking loop connecting the neighbouring villages of Poggio d'Oletta and Oletta. The route offers rich and varied landscapes: villages, scrubland, oak forests, streams... Its name is a tribute to Maria Gentile, a young heroine of the area who became a symbol of courage when, in 1769, at the age of just 20, she defied French soldiers who had sentenced the inhabitants of Oletta to death for plotting a conspiracy. Maria Gentile's fiancé, like his companions, was sentenced to death and executed without the right to a burial. Maria, refusing to abandon her fiancé's body, decided to defy the ban and, at nightfall, set out to recover it and give him a proper burial. Since then, Maria Gentile has been considered the Antigone of Corsica.

Mount Zuccarello is the highest peak in the municipality of Oletta. It rises to an altitude of955 m and forms part of the Serra mountain range, continuing on from Cap Corse.This route begins with a passage through Muntaghjò, a neighbourhood where, in the Middle Ages, the powerful Montalti family had built a castellu. The rest of the route takes place in mid-mountain terrain, starting with the ascent to the Col de Sant’Antonio and ending at the summit of the mountain, the highest point of the hike. The return journey begins with a beautiful escarpment near the Monts Stretti, before passing through the Col de San Giovanni. From there, splendid views of the Nebbiu and Conca d’Oru natural areas follow one after another all the way to Oletta. From 15 July to 31 October 2026 it is strongly advised not to take this route see practical information

Starting from the former Saint-François convent in Oletta, this is a lovely walk through the countryside, ideal for families as it is easy going and well shaded.There are several points of interest along the route, and a lovely fountain, two-thirds of the way along, means you don’t need to carry drinking water with you.Parking is available, including on market days, which take place in the square in front of the convent every Tuesday and Friday from 1 June to 30 September, in the morning. This route is strongly advised against from 15 July to 31 October 2026 See practical information

Oletta is undoubtedly one of Corsica’s most ‘photogenic’ villages. This is due to its natural beauty, its location and the excellent state of repair of its monuments and buildings in general.But there is real value in exploring our village from Mont Tuda, which also offers 360° views.The route takes you past the Mersulaccia Fountain, along the recently reopened local footpaths, past the Saint-François Convent, through the hamlet of Piedalbuccio and into the heart of the village: these are the main points of interest along this route. “Tip: follow the route in the correct direction to climb Mont Tuda via its southern slope. This applies regardless of your chosen starting point (Municipal Car Park on the D38 or Saint-François Convent on the D82).” See restrictions on use of the route in the practical information section, subject to weather conditions

This walk between Poggio d’Oletta and Oletta was created by our association in March 2024 to honour the memory of the heroine from Poggio, Maria Ghjentile. In the spring of 2025, it underwent a significant and interesting modification. Thanks to the joint efforts of the ‘Conca d’Oru, Patrimonio Vineyard – Gulf of Saint-Florent’ Grand Site de France and the local authorities concerned, a new route has been drawn up which is sure to meet the needs of walkers.Two start/finish options are available, each with its own car park: the square by the former Saint François convent in Oletta and the car park at the town hall in Poggio d’Oletta. Update dated 3 September 2025: the modification to the route between Poggio Town Hall and Oletta Church, proposed by our association, avoids the need to cross and then follow the Poggio-D38 road for 350 metres. See restrictions on use of the route in the practical information section, subject to weather conditions

With a suggested tour of Oletta’s historic centre, explore the narrow streets that have been completely renovated by the local council yet retain their old-world charm.There’s no chance of getting lost: the lower and upper alleyways lead walkers back to the Church of Sant’Andria and its Piaza Nova; from this square or the Muntaghjò steps (at the top of the village), the views are remarkable.As the local footpaths and narrow streets are partially sheltered from the strong sunshine, this walk can be enjoyed in any season. Extension/Alternative Route: Visit to the hamlet of Romanacce – a 1 km round trip starting from point no. 3 in the Muntaghjò district As the Oletta Town Hall website states, “…even though the hamlet is no longer inhabited, it lives on through the miracle of the painting of the Virgin Mary that took place there in 1737”. The house where the miracle occurred can be visited free of charge, as can the adjoining Chapel of Saint Anthony. See restrictions on use of the route in the practical information section, subject to weather conditions

This walking route (U Giru di Piedalbuccio) was created in March 2020 around the rapidly developing residential area of Piedalbuccio. At the time, it was necessary to adapt to the lockdown from March to April 2020, linked to the ‘Covid-19’ pandemic, which restricted time spent outside the home to a maximum of one hour. This route therefore allowed residents to stretch their legs close to home, avoiding the time wasted on road journeys. Even today, in an area where urban development has stabilised, this route remains hugely popular, which in turn minimises the need for maintenance.

A family hike of moderate difficulty, with a few little-known points of interest well worth discovering. An unusual viewpoint overlooking the two villages. * Alternative route starting from the village of Olmeta di Tuda. Car park at the entrance to the village. From 15 July to 31 October 2026 it is strongly advised not to use this route Given the successive heatwaves since the end of May, our association has not been able to clear the paths using the appropriate heat-resistant equipment, for one thing. Furthermore, the heat, drought and windy conditions are conducive to the outbreak of fires, which pose a maximum risk to walkers. In these extreme conditions, you should opt for short walks along the coast or riverside. Avoid any routes that cross scrubland and/or reach mid-mountain passes.