From the Citadel of Saint-Florent to Campu Maggiore Beach in Farinole

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From Saint-Florent to Farinole along the coast, this return route allows you to discover hidden swimming spots as well as the path carved into the limestone cliffs, “marking the transition between the schistose Cap Corse peninsula and the Agriate Desert”.

The scenery, perfect for photography, is fabulous. On the outward journey, you’ll see the gulf, the ridge of Cap Corse and, on rare occasions, the mainland coastline, which can be glimpsed on clear, windy days. On the return journey, the view opens up to the south towards Saint-Florent, the Nebbiu plain and its foothills, notably featuring the Tenda range and its highest peak, Monte Astu. To the west, the coastline stretches widely from Anse de Fornali to Punta di Cuza, situated between the beaches of Lotu and Saleccia.

⚠️ Hiking is prohibited from March to August as this is the nesting season. See practical information.

Details

n°108976538
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.47 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 673 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 656 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 243 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3 ft
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Description of the walk

To reach Saint-Florent, in Haute-Corse, take the D82 from the Col de San Stefano via Oletta, or the D81 from the Col de Teghime via Patrimonio. Park within the citadel grounds.

(S/E) Leave the esplanade heading south, walk past the secondary school and reach the junction with the D81. Turn left onto the Dominique Vincenti promenade and follow it to Ospedale beach.

(1) Leave the promenade and head down to Ospedale beach via the steps. Continue on to Olzu beach.

(2) At Olzu, cross the Strutta stream at the ford, cross the beach and then take the coastal path on the left. Continue until you come to a road on the right, slightly above the seafront.

(3) Take the road, head uphill to the left and reach the signpost indicating the coastal path. Leave the road to the left.

(4) Follow the coastal path, keeping to the signposts, until you reach Calanca di a Torre.

(5) From Calanca di a Torre, continue on to Punta Vecchiaia.

(6) From Punta Vecchiaia, continue to Punta di Saeta.

(7) From the highest point of Punta di Saeta, descend via the path carved into the cliff face.

(8) At the bottom, cross the car park to the Fium’Albino stream.

(9) Cross the stream, which is often dry but requires you to take off your shoes during wet weather. Walk across Campu Maggiore beach.

(10) Once you reach the end of the beach, return to the starting point via the same route (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 59 ft - Citadel of Saint-Florent
  2. 1 : mi 0.51 - alt. 10 ft - Ospedale Beach
  3. 2 : mi 1.5 - alt. 3 ft - Olzu Beach
  4. 3 : mi 2.32 - alt. 10 ft - Private road (pedestrians permitted)
  5. 4 : mi 2.55 - alt. 69 ft - Road junction – coastal path
  6. 5 : mi 3.16 - alt. 13 ft - Calanca di a Torre
  7. 6 : mi 3.32 - alt. 56 ft - Punta Vecchiaia
  8. 7 : mi 3.64 - alt. 220 ft - Punta di Saeta
  9. 8 : mi 3.9 - alt. 59 ft - Base of the cliff, car park
  10. 9 : mi 3.99 - alt. 7 ft - Fium Albino (fleuve) - Méditerranée
  11. 10 : mi 4.23 - alt. 10 ft - The far end of Campu Maggiore beach
  12. S/E : mi 8.47 - alt. 59 ft - Citadel of St-Florent

Notes

There are no water sources or shelters along this route.

Make sure you bring plenty of water during the summer months and a lightweight waterproof.

Birdlife

The coastline of the Gulf of Saint-Florent and the cliffs of Patrimonio are home to a remarkable variety of marine and coastal birdlife, which is protected in particular within the ‘Grand Site de France’ Conca d’Oru, Patrimonio – Saint-Florent.

Worth a visit

Things to do and see along the route

  • A visit to the town of Saint-Florent.
  • The beaches and rocky coves.
  • Birdlife.
  • Driftwood on Campu Maggiore beach.
  • The picturesque and well-maintained coastal path.
  • Landscapes – Panoramas.

Other walks in the area

Walking From Saint Florent to Saleccia via the coastal path

Visorando Member
↔11.03 mi ↗+423 ft ↘-413 ft ◔5h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Florent (Haute-Corse)
This coastal hike allows you to explore this desert via a very pleasant trail and swim in idyllic coves.

Walking Loto Beach via the coast from Saint-Florent

Visorando Member
La plage du Loto par la côte au départ de Saint-Florent
↔13.86 mi ↗+912 ft ↘-899 ft ◔7h 10 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Florent (Haute-Corse)
This hike takes you through part of the Agriates desert along the coastal path, from Saint-Florent to Loto beach, passing through picture-postcard landscapes.

Walking Circular walk from Roya to Punta di Cepo via the coastal path

Association / Club / Walk leader
↔6.19 mi ↗+528 ft ↘-505 ft ◔3h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Saint-Florent (Haute-Corse)
A lovely circular route along the coastal path starting from Roya Beach in Saint-Florent. A smooth ride along the coast on the outward leg. The return leg follows an inland track with panoramic views of the gulf, Cap Corse, Saint-Florent and the mountain range surrounding the Nebbiu region. See restrictions on use of the route in the practical information section, subject to weather conditions

Walking From Olzu Beach to Calanca di à Torre

Visorando Member
↔3.36 mi ↗+180 ft ↘-177 ft ◔1h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Saint-Florent (Haute-Corse)
From Olzu beach, follow the coastal path to admire the beautiful coves and inlets. Wear sturdy footwear.

Walking Loop via Saint-Florent starting from Oletta

Association / Club / Walk leader
Boucle par Saint-Florent au départ d'Oletta
↔5.36 mi ↗+351 ft ↘-348 ft ◔2h 45 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Oletta (Haute-Corse)
From the outskirts of Oletta, an old mule track leads to Saint-Florent across the plain. At its end stands the Cathedral of Nebbio, well worth a visit or a return visit.After a short detour through the vineyards of the Patrimonio appellation, which offers a superb view of the gulf and the start of Cap Corse, the walker reaches the town, its citadel and its harbour.The quays, once home to fishing boats, are now home to the largest marina on the ‘Isle of Beauty’. Once you’ve crossed the Pont Neuf over the Aliso, the renovated sea wall and Roya beach reveal much more accessible attractions such as angling and swimming.The return journey follows a rural municipal path lined with shepherds’ huts – known as ‘pagliaghji’ – built from white Saint-Florent stone. See restrictions on use of the route in the practical information section, subject to weather conditions

Walking The Brietta Spring at Patrimonio

Visorando Member
La Source de la Brietta à Patrimonio
↔2.90 mi ↗+771 ft ↘-758 ft ◔2h 00 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Barbaggio (Haute-Corse)
This walk offers a splendid panoramic view of the Patrimonio valley and its vineyards, in conditions that are very rare in Corsica over this distance: a wide, easy-to-walk path that winds along the mountainside. It is therefore a very easy route, though it does involve some elevation gain. Above all, it offers extraordinary views of the vineyards, the limestone cliffs and the sea between the hills. Best done at the end of the day in hot weather, or very early in the morning to catch the beautiful light that photographers will appreciate. The only slightly frustrating thing is that it’s a return trip.

Walking The heritage trail in Patrimonio

Association / Club / Walk leader
↔2.08 mi ↗+446 ft ↘-430 ft ◔1h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Patrimonio (Haute-Corse)
Thanks to this route, which takes in places and monuments steeped in history as well as magnificent natural surroundings, the municipality of Patrimonio—which initiated and oversaw this project—offers a lovely walk of just over 3 km. This informative walk allows you to discover the village’s historical and architectural heritage via well-shaded paths or riverside routes, which are very pleasant in summer and, for the lucky residents, at any time of year.

Walking In the vineyards of Patrimonio

Visorando Member
Dans les vignes de Patrimonio
↔5.99 mi ↗+456 ft ↘-469 ft ◔3h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Patrimonio (Haute-Corse)
A beautiful walk, surrounded by the vineyards of Patrimonio, between Monte San'Angelo and Col de Teghime.

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