Ridge path to Monte Torriccella above Rutali

This hike will allow you to admire the views of both seas.

Details

2498357
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.35 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 464 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 456 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,043 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 600 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Rutali (20239)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 42.578178° / E 9.364617°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 4348OT, 4349OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

To park, enter Rurali. After crossing a bridge over the Padula stream, turn left twice. You will find a shaded area to park (signposted Commune de Rutali piste de Santa Chiara).

(S/E) Head east on the concrete track, which gradually turns into a stony track.

(1) When you reach the Santa Chiara Chapel, continue straight on the track towards the Dragon 2B memorial. After the memorial, take the path on the right marked with red/orange dots, which will lead you to the cross on Monte Torriccella.

(2) After admiring the view of the two seas, retrace your steps back to the chapel.

(1) Take the track on the left towards the ridges, which quickly turns into a path. Follow the red/orange markings (sparse).

(3) When you reach a holly fence, pass between the two wire fences on the right to begin a short climb towards the ridge.

(4) At the hunting reserve sign, turn onto the path on the right, leaving the fluorescent markings on the left. Cross the pass and descend the hillside to a calvary decorated with flags.

(5) Turn onto the path on the right that descends just after this calvary (orange markings). This path turns into a downhill track.

(6) When you reach a crossroads, turn left for about ten metres and continue on the downhill track to the right.

(7) At the orange marker, take the stony path on your right and follow the marked path to the reservoir. Take the track that will lead you back to your starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 600 m - Parking area
  2. 1 : km 2.12 - alt. 796 m - Santa Chiara Chapel
  3. 2 : km 2.95 - alt. 830 m - Viewpoint over the two seas. Monte Torriccella
  4. 3 : km 6.27 - alt. 984 m - Climb back up to the ridge.
  5. 4 : km 6.53 - alt. 1,040 m - Col
  6. 5 : km 7.12 - alt. 1,011 m - Calvaire
  7. 6 : km 8.71 - alt. 828 m - Crossing of tracks
  8. 7 : km 8.83 - alt. 808 m - Path to Rutali
  9. S/E : km 10.35 - alt. 601 m - Parking area

Notes

- Wear sturdy footwear.
- Bring enough water (there is little water along the route, with a few springs at the end of the hike).
- The markings are not consistent in colour, ranging from red to orange and including fluorescent colours.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
3.9 / 5
User 4886826

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

the first part was pleasant with a view of the chapel and then the memorial stone, but after that the paths were very quiet and overgrown with dense vegetation, including brambles, thorns and ferns, which left scratches on our legs and arms
The path was difficult to find and we ended up on a different path from the one marked on the map because there was too much vegetation.
Our path after the metal gate rejoined the first paved path at the start... phew!
We don't recommend it as it's not very interesting and unpleasant

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avisse
avisse

The descent from Croix Per Pasqua is along an almost dry stream bed.
Please note that this descent is quite dangerous, with many unstable rocks.
Catherine

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Chis Coach
Chis Coach

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike with a little fog at the 6th kilometre.
Be careful when you reach the cross just before the descent; pay attention to the path, as it is not very well marked.
As for the descent to the starting point, it is quite hard on the joints as there are many loose stones and the paths are sometimes narrow. You spend a long time walking along the bed of a stream.

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ferosine
ferosine

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant route.ops

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Arnaud Grammens
Arnaud Grammens

Overall rating : 2 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

A VERY unpleasant hike!
I advise future hikers to stick to points 1 and 2, which offer magnificent views of the two seas, Bastia and the Biguglia lagoon. Then turn back to your starting point.
For the route between points 1 and 7, you have to make your way through brambles, ferns and shrubs, and we came back covered in scratches. What's more, there's nothing to see (which is normal, as you're surrounded by vegetation). Tall people like me will spend half the hike crouched down...
However, we did see cows, pigs, goats and even a snake... A word of warning to enthusiasts...

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Cavattuyt
Cavattuyt

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It is important to follow the GPX track, otherwise you may get lost!
Beautiful views, we're enjoying ourselves.

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Youg42
Youg42

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting hike. Beautiful panoramic views of the Biguglia lagoon and the Gulf of Saint Florent. The wooded sections are very pleasant, especially when it's hot. You'll encounter wild cows, goats, sheep, pigs... For your information, I did this hike with my dog (an Australian shepherd). If you encounter a cow or pigs, I advise you to keep your pet on a leash if you have one. Corsican cows and pigs are very curious about these little creatures . Another tip: if you are afraid of cows (which are harmless), you can scare them away by clapping your hands.

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Rocker3
Rocker3

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There is magnificent flora frequented by an impressive number of butterflies and insects on the plateau between the memorial and the chapel. The descent to Rutali, on the other hand, is more of a necessity than anything else. What's more, when we arrived in Rutali, we found that the café was closed. No matter, we drank panache at the San Stefano pass.

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balanini
balanini

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting and little-known hike starting from Rutali on a concrete track for a good 2 kilometres (monotonous), then a carriage road and paths or trails offering views of both seas (west and east).
The circular loop is about 10 km long, at an altitude of 1,035 m, with moderate difficulty on ridges under the sun ☀ and in the forest under scattered shade! Good red and orange markings 😉 Magnificent view of Nebbiu, Greater Bastia and Castagniccia. 👌🏼Allow a good 4 hours for the round trip without stops to complete the entire circular route.

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