From Cartalavonu to the Bacinu Fountain via the Col de Bacinu

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Head down to the Col de Bacinu via a balcony path, stopping off at a rocky plateau where a splendid view of Porto-Vecchio Bay awaits you. Continue on to the Bacinu Fountain and return via the same path.

Details

n°14066554
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.80 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,444 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,450 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,369 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,470 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Porto-Vecchio (20137|20144)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 41.645437° / E 9.17572°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 4254ET, 4254OT
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Photos

View from the rocky outcrops
View of the other side of the valley
Tree along the path
Porto-Vecchio Bay

Description of the walk

Car park near the “Le Refuge” lodge in Cartalavonu, a village at the end of the road not far from the Ospedale dam.

(S/E) At the hiking signpost along the road opposite the lodge, head towards Carbini. At the nearby Fork in the road, turn left towards Bocca di Bacinu.

Markings: Yellow line

Follow the path downhill for about 2.5 km until you reach a rocky plateau. As you descend along the path, which soon follows the contour lines, enjoy views of the valley and the sea in the distance. Cross several streams that occasionally merge with the path.

(1) You’ll come across an information board explaining the superb panorama of Porto-Vecchio Bay and the surrounding mountains. Then begin a more challenging descent over rocky slabs, taking care to follow the markings closely. After turning right at the bottom of the slabs, cross over to the other side of the slope. You’ll then enter the woodland and descend to the Col de Bacinu.

(2) Turn left. Walk alongside the road for 700 m.

(3) Take the stone steps on your left leading down to the Fontaine de Bacinu. Look out for the fountain on your left. Climb back up to the Col de Bacinu and return to the car park via the same path you took on the way there (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,353 ft - Car park near the Le Refuge lodge
  2. 1 : mi 1.62 - alt. 3,114 ft - Sign
  3. 2 : mi 2 - alt. 2,651 ft - Bacinu Pass
  4. 3 : mi 2.39 - alt. 2,477 ft - Bacinu Fountain
  5. S/E : mi 4.8 - alt. 3,353 ft - Car park near the Le Refuge lodge

Notes

Picnic table at the bend after (2).
No drinking water along the route, despite the Bacinu Fountain.

Worth a visit

Along the way

Viewpoint overlooking Porto-Vecchio Bay.
Bacinu Fountain.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
lazzerini
lazzerini
• Edited:

Hello nanou64,

The land needed to create a circular pattern is private and access has not been granted, which is why it isn’t a circular pattern.
I thought it would be a good idea to have a break in the shade near the fountain, as the road was unavoidable anyway.
Enjoy your future walks

Machine-translated

nanou64
nanou64
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy walk – though you’ll need good walking shoes – mainly along a cliff path and through the forest, with a stunning view at one point of the two seas (Porto Vecchio and Propriano).
It’s a shame it isn’t a circular route.
The last 700 metres along the road to the fountain are rather uninteresting.

Machine-translated

JacquesWaller
JacquesWaller
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful site with a beautiful fountain. Water flows abundantly and is drinkable, according to a local who came to fill 12 bottles!
Hike in the shade for the upper part. It's a shame that the outward journey is all downhill and the return journey is uphill over scree in the sun if you're a bit late for the lower half. Very good signposting otherwise.
We would like to do it starting from the pass, but then we would miss out on the pleasure of a drink at Cartalavonu. We recommend it.

Machine-translated

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