Croce Niolo and Monte Taglio ridges via Fiuminale

To get to the starting point by car: at the Folelli exit, heading towards Moriani, turn right onto the D230. Follow this narrow road to the village of Pero-Casevecchie. Park in the car park by the church square.

(S/E) Walk back along the same road you came on, in the opposite direction, for about 600 m.

(1) After the hairpin bend, turn slightly right towards Talasani and Velone. Pass a ruined convent, then go through a gate. At each intersection, follow the signs for Velone. You will reach the hamlet of Velone-Orneto.

(2) Follow the signs for Poglyu Mezana to cross it.

(3) At the exit of the hamlet, follow the sign on the right for "Fiuminale 1h30". Follow the path , watching out for animals roaming free, and reach the Acqua Bona stream, which was dry when I passed by.

(4) Take the path slightly to the left, towards Fiuminale Suttanu. Be careful, as the path is not very visible at the intersection due to trampling by animals.

(5) At the intersection of the two hamlets of Fiuminale, enter Sottano.

(6) After a quick visit to the hamlet, with its fountain, bread oven and chapel, return to the intersection.

(5) Continue left up a steep climb towards Fiuminale Supranu. The trail through the forest is often difficult to spot.

(7) When you reach the hamlet, climb to the left towards Croce Niolo and San Bartuli.

(8) Turn right towards Croce Niolo. After the Padule fountain, follow the sign for "Peru 1h45" until you reach an intersection with several signposts.

(9) Head left uphill towards San Bertuli. When you reach the ridges (Velone sign), take the unmarked path on the right, then head left uphill towards the top of the ridge, following the GPS route and the yellow paint marks on the rocks as best you can. Follow the ridge to the summit of Croce Niolu.

(10) Descend northwards along an unmarked but well-defined path: you will have a bird's eye view of the Castagniccia from natural viewpoints. Reach the intersection with the "Fontana Alle Troulle" sign.

(11) Continue descending to the left until you reach Col de Pero.

(12) Continue straight ahead, heading towards Casevecchie, until you reach the intersection with a track.

(13) Turn left, following the sign for "Tagliu 1h". Follow the path, passing above a sheepfold.

(14) Look for an unmarked path on the left and follow it to reach the summit of Monte Taglio.

(15) From the summit, return to the fork.

(14) Continue straight ahead (orange trail) until you reach the Casevecchie crossroads.

(16) Turn right towards Peru.

(17) At the tarmac road, turn left and head towards the village square in Casevecchie. Climb the stairs on the right to the church. Turn left, go through a gate and continue along the path to Pero-Casevecchie, where you will find the car park at the start of the walk (S/E).

Orange paint marks will guide you throughout the hike, except for the Croce Niolo ridge variant and the round trip to Monte Taglio. The orange trails change colour to yellow. Teams on the ground are working to update the markings.

Close the gates behind you.

From Velone-Orneto (2), animals roam freely: pigs, cows, horses. Do not hesitate to announce your presence by clapping your hands.

Some passages under the trees are poorly marked and difficult to follow. Look carefully for the orange markings and use the Visorando app with GPS enabled.

(10) Be careful, the path leading down from Croce Niolo passes very close to the cliffs. Don't miss the natural viewpoints with a bird's eye view of Castagniccia.

When I visited in October, the two fountains in the hamlets of Fiuminale were supplied with water.

Note: you can shorten the circular. From Col de Pero, at point (12), take the path on the right towards Pero-Cassevecchie to return directly to the starting car park (S/E).