In the Olmi-Cappella and Mausoléo forests, Genoese bridges and mill ruins

One can only admire the tremendous work of man carving a beautifully paved path along these narrow valleys to connect the villages or access the mills. Stone is everywhere, both on the trail and in the village of Mausoléo. The Tartagine invites you to swim or cool off. As for the bridges, what harmonious curves! An unmissable hike.

Details

1592267
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.19 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 359 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 359 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 819 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 542 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park near the church in Olmi.

(S/E) Head down towards the cemetery and follow the shady, often stony path. Continue south-west and you will reach the crossroads near the Alzellu stream. Leave the path that crosses and then climbs back up (donkey trail) on your right and take the path on the left that soon crosses the stream over a wide bridge hidden in the vegetation.

(1) Then climb back up to the village of Mausoléo. At the bottom of the village, pass the refuge and a few guest houses.

(2) Descend towards the stream and follow it on the right bank until you reach a footbridge.

(3) Cross the stream and continue along the left bank until you reach a crossroads.

(4) Leave the path that climbs up on your left and descend to the right towards the Genoese bridge of Francioni.

(5) Cross it and continue along a path that climbs and then descends through less wooded countryside to another Genoese bridge over the Tartagine.

(6) Do not cross it, but follow the path along the left bank of the stream. Pass the ruins of mills. Continue to the fork.

(7) Follow the path on the left that returns to the Francioni stream, ford it, and climb up until you see the Genoese bridge of Francioni, then return to the crossroads you passed on the way there. Be careful here: do not go back down to the bridge.

(4) Take the path on the right to return, which winds its way up to Cappella near the water treatment plant.

(8) Continue north, rejoin the D863 road, turn left and arrive at the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 812 m - Parking is available below the church in Olmi
  2. 1 : km 0.76 - alt. 675 m - Bridge
  3. 2 : km 1.29 - alt. 724 m - Mausoleum
  4. 3 : km 2.01 - alt. 621 m - Footbridge
  5. 4 : km 2.64 - alt. 597 m - At the crossroads, turn right towards the Genoese bridge.
  6. 5 : km 2.81 - alt. 574 m - Genoese bridge over the Francioni
  7. 6 : km 3.98 - alt. 555 m - Genoese bridge on La Tartagine
  8. 7 : km 4.93 - alt. 556 m - Fourche, take the upper path on the left.
  9. 8 : km 7.24 - alt. 752 m - Cappella
  10. S/E : km 8.19 - alt. 812 m - Parking is available below the church in Olmi

Notes

In high summer, remember to protect yourself from the sun. The hike is never too far from the refreshing waters of the rivers.

Worth a visit

As you climb up to Olmi-Capella from Ile-Rousse or the "Balanina", the main road linking Bastia to the west coast, stop to admire the magnificent panorama of Balagne, Ile-Rousse and Reginu, stretching as far as the Agriates.
The edge of La Tartagine, at the Genoese bridge, is a beautiful picnic spot, a little over halfway along the hike.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 49 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
MARTALA
MARTALA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

We found the route of this hike to be very varied, running alongside a river with red pebbles. The Roman bridges are magnificent and in very good condition.
The view of the snow-capped Dent d'Asco and Mont Pedro makes the route even more sublime.

Machine-translated

Philou64
Philou64
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We thoroughly enjoyed this hike from start to finish, with a lovely descent to warm up the knees at the beginning, followed by a very pleasant route. The second bridge is a beautiful spot for a picnic. The climb back up to Olmi is easy and gradual along a lovely mule track.

Machine-translated

BECUWE
BECUWE

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The first part of the hike is not very interesting. You descend between two mountains, with no view. In Mausoleo, the right path is not easy to find; there are few signs and many opportunities to take a wrong turn. Follow the GPS track carefully. After these first three kilometres, the hike becomes much more beautiful. You walk above the river on a well-paved path and the view opens up onto the mountains. Halfway through the hike, you can swim under a Genoese bridge. On the way back, there are many ruins that bear witness to past activity.
The final climb is not difficult; the path winds along the hillside back up towards Olmi-Capella, and there are no steep slopes.
It's a shame about the first part, but otherwise the hike is beautiful.

Machine-translated

Haniti
Haniti

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
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, pleasant even in summer, with plenty of shade, except on the last stretch where the climb is in full sun. But don't panic when you arrive, as there's a small bar with a pleasant terrace where you can enjoy some refreshments! Still, be sure to bring water bottles. For your information, the Apple Watch calculates the distance as 10 km.

Machine-translated

Gargani
Gargani

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, well-maintained trail, no major difficulties. The highlight is swimming in the river near the second Genoese bridge

Machine-translated

ricowiko
ricowiko

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike

Machine-translated

JJIMDU38
JJIMDU38
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, but be sure to correct the directions in the village of Mausoléo because the path is not visible, and at the second Genoese bridge, clearly indicate to stay on the left bank.
Otherwise, bring water and a hat for the end of the hike, which climbs a bit but is mostly in direct sunlight.

Machine-translated

User 24649163

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2025
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 in summer with light cloud cover that prevented it from getting too hot. Splendid landscapes and a welcome swim halfway through. The return climb is a little steep but nothing too difficult. Highly recommended.

Machine-translated

User 8443150

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk. You can take a dip halfway along the route. Most of the elevation gain is in the second half of the route and some sections are exposed. Bring a hat.

Machine-translated

La_Buche
La_Buche

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, a pleasant trail, hardly anyone else around, extremely interesting with the opportunity to enjoy the rock pool halfway along the route. A great excuse to discover this corner of Corsica.

Machine-translated

bab
bab

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk along the river, which is not very busy in April.
Authentic nature, a real treat.
A must-do

Machine-translated

Marc13!
Marc13!

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk. Swimming is possible from the last Genoese bridge (marker 6) to marker 7.
Without any great difficulty, it becomes more severe in the summer heat.

Machine-translated

Fstemp
Fstemp

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant family walk

Machine-translated

legdom
legdom

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk with some fine sections over bridges. It's a long way back to the village, especially in the sunshine. My app gave me 9.68 km, 1.5 km more? No risk with children.

Machine-translated

Ionel
Ionel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Accessible and with superb views

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.