Capo Rosso via the new route with return via the coast

This hike to the Tour de Turghiu (Capo Rosso) offers one of the most beautiful views in Corsica from the summit. For several years now, improvements have been made to the route. A variant has been created to follow the coastline and its coves on the way back. The road you take by car from the village of Piana to the starting point offers a balcony view of the Gulf of Porto, the Calanques de Piana and the Corsican mountains.

PLEASE NOTE: according to two comments received on 9 May and 1 June 2025, the "Littoral" section is not accessible. Please follow the directions.

Details

3930354
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.85 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 595 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 596 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 331 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 14 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Piana (20115)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 42.235298° / E 8.583563°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 4150OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

In the village of Piana, head towards Arone beach. About halfway there, a car park with a refreshment bar offers a view of the destination. This is the starting point.

(S/E) Take the only path that descends towards the tower. Continue along this path to reach the crossroads at a place called Palani.

(1) Turn right, cross several streams and walk alongside an old sheepfold. Continue to the right until you reach the crossroads with the coastal path.

(2) Take the path heading north on the right, which leads to the tower. You will reach a fault line at the edge of the woods.

(3) Climb up the fault; this passage is safe as it is well maintained. Then follow the multiple cairns uphill to reach the top of the Tour de Turghiu.

(4) Descend via the same path to the crossroads of the coastal path.

(2) Turn right, following the sign for Littoral, indicated by a clearly visible arrow on a post. Continue to the seaside.

(5) Turn left onto this coastal path along the seafront and continue to Biscuttellu.

(6) Leave the seafront and return to the initial crossroads you passed on the way there.

(1) Turn right and retrace your steps to return to the car park by the refreshment bar (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 305 m - Car park and refreshment bar at Capo Rossu
  2. 1 : km 1.95 - alt. 104 m - Crossroads loop
  3. 2 : km 3.13 - alt. 90 m - Old sheepfold
  4. 3 : km 3.57 - alt. 180 m - Fault at the edge of the woods
  5. 4 : km 4.06 - alt. 274 m - Tour of Turghiu
  6. 5 : km 5.43 - alt. 75 m - Crossroads on the coastal path
  7. 6 : km 6.42 - alt. 46 m - Biscuttellu
  8. S/E : km 8.85 - alt. 305 m - Car park and refreshment bar at Capo Rossu

Notes

PLEASE NOTE: according to two comments received on 9 May and 1 June 2025, the "Littoral" section is not accessible. Please follow the directions.

Hike completed 14 times, most recently in summer 2024 and, for information, on 13 July 2022 (with an athletic 8-year-old child, starting the route at 5:45 am).
Allow 1 hour 30 minutes for the ascent if you choose to take the "coastal" route on the way there and 1 hour 20 minutes for the return.
The route begins with a long descent before starting the climb to the tower (via a fault where steps have been carved into the rock). On the way back, the route ends with a climb that seems to go on forever, before finally reaching the car park and the long-awaited refreshment bar!
The route is very exposed to the heat in midsummer, so it's best to set off early in the cool of the morning.
Variation: you can, of course, reverse the route and take the detour along the coast on the way there instead of on the way back, as indicated on this map. This makes the return journey easier.
Bring water (1.5 litres per person) and do not attempt the route in sandals...
Wear good shoes, because every year the fire brigade has to rescue hikers who have sprained their ankles because they were wearing sandals, if not flip-flops!
Given the elevation gain in two stages (+- 530 m), the length of the climb at the end of the route, and the heat in summer, I would classify this hike as moderate, although it is actually quite easy.
IBP index = 59 (for a hiker with average training = medium difficulty)

Worth a visit

Nearby: the village of Piana and its Calanches.
On the road between Piana and the start: panoramic view of the Gulf of Porto and the mountains.
At the hike car park: refreshment bar.
After the hike: a few kilometres away, the magnificent Arone beach (fine sand) and its three beachfront restaurants. If you choose L'Onda, say hello from Benoit, the Belgian hiker, to the grill chef at the entrance (Dante) and to Thomas, his son and the owner.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 20 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Pounet Rando
Pounet Rando

I'm so glad you enjoyed the hike. Everything you said about this superb hike perfectly describes how I feel. No wonder we've been holidaying in Corsica every July since 2010. It's impossible to imagine going anywhere else. And now we have friends there too. All the best for the future.

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Blp69
Blp69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Definitely one of the most beautiful hikes in Corsica. It's absolutely magnificent, but only to be done in good weather. A hike like this in October is great – but be careful, it can get hot.
The return trip along the coastal path is superb. How lucky we are to live in such a beautiful country!

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Pounet Rando
Pounet Rando

I'm glad you enjoyed the hike. For me, it's one of the most beautiful views in Corsica, if not the most beautiful!

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mb300d85
mb300d85

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It really is true to say that the scenery on this walk has to be seen to be believed! There are no longer any restrictions on access to the coastal path.

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Pounet Rando
Pounet Rando

Glad you enjoyed the hike at Capo Rosso. I'm on holiday in Piana, so I'll be doing it in a few days. Tomorrow, I'm planning to do the postman's trail from Col Crocce (car park) to Girolatta. Thanks for the info about the coastal route. So that's why it was closed: the little ones had to leave the nest!

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User 15618711

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike done today, leaving at 7 a.m. There were already 10 cars in the car park. On the way back, the car park at the beach hut was full and cars were parked on the road! We didn't regret getting up early. There were fewer people and the heat was bearable until 10 a.m.
We drank 1.5 litres of water each!
The route was magnificent. The coastal section was open (there was a osprey's nest near the path on a rocky peak in the sea).
Access to the sea is possible (rocks).

It's about 10 km with the alternative route and 9 km without.

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Christian01
Christian01

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This variant is currently unavailable. Please follow the information displayed

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Pounet Rando
Pounet Rando
• Edited:

I'm glad you enjoyed the hike to Capo Rosso. I've done it about fifteen times and I never tire of it... so I do it again every year in July 🙂 Thanks for the information about the section that runs along the coast. It reminds me that we must always respect and adapt to the rules in force at the time.

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bessechatenoy71
bessechatenoy71

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike in the sunshine
What a view from the top of the tower!

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bessechatenoy71
bessechatenoy71

Please note that access via the coastline to the Cappo Rosso hike is currently unavailable. This section of the trail is closed (apparently to protect wildlife and flora
But it's still a very beautiful hike

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Sylvain64
Sylvain64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An exceptional site (yet another in Corsica!) that is a must-see. The tower is accessible, even if you have to work a bit to reach it, it is still very manageable. The return trip along the coastal path is very pleasant with beautiful views.

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Pounet Rando
Pounet Rando

Thank you for your feedback. I'm glad you enjoyed the hike to Capo Rosso and the detour along the coast. I've done it about fifteen times myself and never tire of it...

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orba41
orba41

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike, unfortunately under cloudy skies. You absolutely must climb to the top of the tower to enjoy the view. You sometimes have to search for the trail in the rocks at the start of the climb to the tower, but the most difficult part of the route is very passable thanks to the stones being arranged into a steep staircase. I recommend using walking sticks, especially to relieve pressure on your knees during the descent. Returning via the coast is an option if you still have energy left, and I highly recommend it, as it allows you to get up close to the contours that you can see from high above on the way up.
I always track my hikes live on Visorando to make sure I don't stray from the path. As always, it's important to take plenty of water with you, and the refreshments at the snack bar (a waffle is always welcome after a good hike...) were also much appreciated.
Thank you to the creators of this route and to those who maintain it.

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tjendras
tjendras
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent route. The climb up to the tower isn't the easiest, but the view from the top is amazing. Don't hesitate to climb the tower for a panoramic view of the gulfs. And be sure to bring water, as there is little shade along the route. We recommend taking the coastal path at the beginning, otherwise the return trip is a bit difficult.

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elway22
elway22
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike undertaken in mid-May in beautiful weather.
The alternative route is currently closed to protect the flora and fauna. The last section after the fault is not very well marked, there are a few too many cairns, but as you can see roughly where you want to go, it's not a problem to reach the tower where the view is breathtaking. Once inside the tower after climbing the external staircase, don't miss the second staircase immediately to the right, hidden in the shadows.
The descent is easier to follow, as the path is more visible. The return to the car park is not at all steep but quite long, and the refreshment bar is a blessing.

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