From Saint Florent to Saleccia via the coastal path

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This coastal hike allows you to explore this desert via a very pleasant trail and swim in idyllic coves.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Chemin Côtier de Saint-Florent à l'Ostriconi dans le désert des Agriates

Details

n°4021072
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.03 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 423 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 413 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 194 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: -3 ft
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Description of the walk

(S) Leave from the bus stop in the centre of Saint-Florent, take the footbridge that crosses the port (a new one is under construction) then head towards the coast and La Roya hotel. Reach the coastal road and continue to the car park.

(1) Walk along the beach on a path that local residents have left just wide enough to pass. The path then widens. Reach the Fornali lighthouse.

(2) Take the path on the right, and after a footbridge, you will soon come to thefirst marker on the coastal path. From this marker, the path is clear. Continue on to the old Punta Mortella semaphore station.

(3) Continue along the coastal path. You will soon reach the magnificent Loto beach.

(4) Stay by the sea and you will reach Punta di Curza. Then turn almost 90° to the left to reach the superb Saleccia beach.

(5) At the end of the beach, head up towards Camping U Paradisu, which is the stop for thisfirst day (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 3 ft - Bus stop in Saint-Florent town centre. - Aliso (fleuve)
  2. 1 : mi 1.3 - alt. 3 ft - Car park - Path at the bottom right
  3. 2 : mi 2.56 - alt. 7 ft - Leave the track and take the path on the right.
  4. 3 : mi 6.33 - alt. 190 ft - Old semaphore station
  5. 4 : mi 7.78 - alt. 20 ft - Loto Beach
  6. 5 : mi 10.65 - alt. 0 ft - End of Saleccia beach - Liscu (fleuve)
  7. E : mi 11.03 - alt. 33 ft - Camping U Paradisu

Notes

There are no water sources along the hike.
Remember to book your place at the campsite for the evening.

Worth a visit

Swim as much as you like.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 18575130

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We set off from Fornali Cove. A very beautiful route, but quite hot even though we left at 8 a.m. By 10 a.m., it was already very hot for August. We arrived at Lotu around 11:30 a.m., but we took two nice breaks to swim, took lots of photos, and got lost at the lighthouse. We turned left at the semaphore, but then we tried to get back on the trail and ended up going back down towards the lighthouse. That was really difficult with children. There is no path, just rocks to climb over, which is dangerous. Don't follow the route or the coast at this point. We wanted to go to Saleccia but it was far too hot. We came back by shuttle bus. We preferred the little beach before Lotu. Allow an hour's walk (not very interesting) to find your vehicle in Fornali from the port.

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eljo91
eljo91

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An exceptional hike that we adapted slightly: boat to Lotu, Lotu/Saleccia/Lotu circular loop, then back to Saint Florent. 24km.
Magnificent landscapes, incredible colours.
The Saleccia beach is empty at this time of year... a paradise on earth.
One thing to note: a waist-deep stretch of water between Lotu and Saint Florent... with no alternative route.

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Pab233
Pab233

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very popular. Numerous opportunities for swimming.

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Nicole Monf.
Nicole Monf.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with magnificent scenery along the coast.
The trail markings are clearly visible. Very little elevation gain, making it accessible to average hikers: the IBP is 33.
Already very busy at the start of the tourist season.
Please note: there is no water!

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Netra
Netra ★

Hello ELGCort,

The route for the hike is online, one way. This is therefore only a schedule for the outward journey.

N.B. This schedule is estimated based on an average pace of 3.5 km/h on flat ground and should be adjusted according to your own pace.

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ELGCort
ELGCort

Hello,

I will soon be on holiday in Corsica and would like to go on this hike.
The hike takes 5 hours.
I would like to know if that is 5 hours there and back or 5 hours just to get there?
Because it mentions booking a campsite for the night.

Thank you.

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ELGCort
ELGCort

Hello,

I will soon be on holiday in Corsica and would like to go on this hike.
The hike takes 5 hours.
I would like to know if that is 5 hours there and back or 5 hours just to get there?
Because it mentions booking a campsite for the night.

Thank you.

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marc vidal
marc vidal

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A very beautiful hike,
allow a good five hours ,
very beautiful;
and also by sea, swimming is allowed, even recommended! Thank you
Marc Vidal.

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LaurentC86
LaurentC86

And thank you very much for the wonderful video.
Laurent

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LaurentC86
LaurentC86

Good evening
Thank you for your very positive review.
We made the crossing from Saint Florent to Ostriconi beach at the end of August this summer. It was very hot, so we set off very early in the morning. The sunrises and swims at 7 or 8 o'clock in the morning remain unforgettable.
Kind regards
Laurent

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oponcin
oponcin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike recommended outside of summer whenever the weather is nice. There aren't many people, and the light is fabulous for taking photos and filming.
https://youtu.be/FlOP7EGkaRU

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