From Barcaggio to the Santa Maria Tower

de fr

You’ll hike towards Cap Corse and the Genoese tower of Santa Maria, setting off from the small village of Barcaggio and passing by the Genoese tower of Agnelo, with breathtaking views of the gulf and Giraglia Island. A few hundred metres past the Santa Maria Tower, you’ll see the chapel of the same name.

Details

n°98396402
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.71 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,017 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 984 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 427 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: -7 ft
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Photos

Punta di Agnellu Tour
Cala Genovese
Santa Maria Tower

Description of the walk

Park at the beach car park in front of the beach bar, Chemin de la Foce: free out of season.

(S/E) Leave the car park and walk along the river for about fifty metres, then take the bridge on the left and cross it. Follow the path back to the beach.

(1) Walk along this beach and the next one, taking the customs officers’ path towards the Genoese Tower.

(2) At the end of the beach, take the path leading uphill to the left.

(3) Don’t forget to take a short detour to the left to reach Cap Corse, which offers a beautiful panoramic view. Then continue along the path to the Punti di l’Agnellu Tower: you can visit the interior.

(4) Then take the path that climbs up and runs along the cliff edge. Once at the top, there’s a lovely view on both sides, with Giraglia Island on the left and the Santa Maria Tower on the right.

(5) Continue along the path towards Cala Francese until you reach it.

(6) Follow the path closest to the coast to reach Cala Genovese, a beautiful grey-sand beach like the previous one.

(7) Continue along the path.

(8) Turn right onto a clearly marked path to reach the tower and, a little further on, the chapel, both of which are just a few minutes’ walk away.

(9) Set off again along the path closest to the coast and return to the junction.

(8) Take the same path in the opposite direction to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 0 ft - Beach car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.1 - alt. 7 ft - Coastal path
  3. 2 : mi 0.77 - alt. 3 ft - Path leading uphill to the left.
  4. 3 : mi 1.15 - alt. 75 ft - Cap Corse
  5. 4 : mi 1.61 - alt. 118 ft - Punti di l’Agnellu Tower
  6. 5 : mi 1.85 - alt. 387 ft - Viewpoint
  7. 6 : mi 3.62 - alt. 3 ft - Cala Francese
  8. 7 : mi 3.97 - alt. 0 ft - Cala Genovese
  9. 8 : mi 4.09 - alt. 16 ft - Junction for the circular loop
  10. 9 : mi 4.29 - alt. 10 ft - Santa Maria Tower and chapel
  11. S/E : mi 8.71 - alt. 3 ft - Beach car park

Notes

A fairly strenuous hike with significant elevation changes.

Make sure you wear suitable footwear and take plenty of water.

Worth a visit

Stunning views of Giraglia Island, the Punta di l’Agnellu Tower and the Santa Maria Tower.

Swimming is possible at the beautiful beaches of Cala Francese and Cala Genovese.

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