Pinia Forest: between forest, sea and lagoon

Forest, lake and marine habitats provide valuable refuges for many birds, which find in Pinia a place to nest, overwinter or simply stop over.

Details

26886990
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.28 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 9 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 9 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 12 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Ghisonaccia (20240)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 42.030355° / E 9.480146°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 4352OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

From the RT10, south of Ghisonaccia, take the D144 at the village exit to Perla di Mare. Take the coastal track towards the Étang d’Urbinu and stop at the first car park.

(S/E) From the car park, head north-east towards the Marais de Piobi.

(1) Walk along the top of the alluvial cliff, which takes you through the forest and offers different views of the coastline as well as the wetlands. In the heart of the pine forest, you may be lucky enough to spot a European sparrowhawk. Continue to the Balcon d’Urbinu.

(2) Descend from this cliff to walk a little further along the coast and arrive at the edge of the Pozzo Sale wetland, from where you can admire the Étang d'Urbino and its former mouth.

(3) Turn left towards the Pozzo Sale wetland.
The stopping point is at the viewpoint overlooking the Urbino Pond, a veritable balcony from which you’ll have a breathtaking view of the pond, the plain and the mountain range.

(4) Turn right to go further along the Urbino Pond or continue straight ahead to take a shortcut. Walk along the Pozzo Nero wetland and continue straight on towards a road.

(5) Turn left onto the road to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 3 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.25 - alt. 3 m - Piobi Marshes
  3. 2 : km 0.6 - alt. 3 m - Balcony of Urbino
  4. 3 : km 1.07 - alt. 1 m - Former mouth of the Étang Urbino
  5. 4 : km 1.39 - alt. 6 m - Pozzo Sale
  6. 5 : km 3.63 - alt. 11 m - Turn left at the junction
  7. S/E : km 4.28 - alt. 3 m - Car park

Notes

Essentials: bring suitable gear, walking shoes and a water bottle

The Pinia site, owned by the Conservatoire du littoral and classified as a Natura 2000 area, covers over 380 hectares and is home to 47 species of birds. There is also a coastal path providing access to the beach and running along the coast. The Sicilian sand lizard lives on the dune and the area behind it, dotted with large-fruited junipers.

Worth a visit

Activities: cycle touring, horse riding, walking, running, off-road driving, birdwatching.
Hunting is regulated by municipal decree.

Points of interest: beach, forests, flora and fauna (organised educational outings), fitness trail, multi-activity park for children.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
3.7 / 5
User 26835917

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A beautiful hike in the forest. Great views.
Avoid when it's hot as the trail has little shade, or bring something to cover up and stay hydrated.
This hike is undoubtedly much more enjoyable outside of the hot season.
The access road to the car park is passable by car, but drive slowly as there are some large potholes.

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Delph1969
Delph1969

A pleasant walk, but in my opinion not particularly interesting apart from perhaps the fact that it is in the shade
There are a few nice views, but Corsica has so many beautiful trails that this one doesn't really deserve a "wow" in my opinion

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Shay
Shay

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Uninteresting hike. And access by car to the car park is very complicated! Don't waste your time, keep going.

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Delph1969
Delph1969

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Not interesting...

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carolepic
carolepic

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with several possible routes

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JENAIPASDIDEES
JENAIPASDIDEES

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A peaceful, shaded walk

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VH11113
VH11113

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, easy walk, mostly in the shade. Views over a vast beach or Lake Urbino. Access via a dirt track.

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