U Saparghionu Cave via the heights of Chisa

The walk to the heights of Chisa and the U Saparghionu cave is a short hike. Before setting off, we met Antonin, a village elder who speaks highly of it – a close-knit village that has lost its soul over the years. We also met two Brittany Spaniels who accompanied us throughout the walk. You’ll no doubt spot them in the village: true guides....

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.94 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,732 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,752 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,700 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,230 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Chisa (20240)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 41.924645° / E 9.264417°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 4253ET, 4253ETR
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Drive to Chisa by taking the D45 and then the D645 from the T10 at the airbase. Once in the village, park in the shade in the few spaces on the left after the town hall.

(S/E) Take the steps on the left to climb the village’s narrow streets and several flights of steps. As you exit, look out for yellow markings, a few abandoned shelters and a path that climbs alongside a wall.

(1) When you reach the cistern, take the path that climbs slightly to the left and then quickly branches off to the right: this is the steepest climb of the hike. Once at the top, you’ll come to a path.

(2) Turn left. Follow the path through the numerous rocks, keeping to level ground, sheltered by undergrowth of heather, laurel, chestnut and holm oak.

(3) Cross a more difficult but not particularly dangerous section by stepping over large boulders. The path then descends slightly; cross the Ruisseau de Sena and then the Ruisseau de Rancinelle.

(4) Just after this, leave the path on the left that descends – you will take this on the way back. Continue for about a hundred metres, pass a hunter’s hide, then follow the path that climbs up to the right. Continue until you reach the Grotte de U Saparghionu.

(5) From inside, there is a beautiful view of the valley. The return journey follows the same track to the junction near the Rancichelle stream.

(4) Take the path on the right. On the descent, you will notice an abandoned hunting post.

(6) Walk alongside a fence and continue to a crossroads.

(7) Continue the descent by turning right, then take a sharp left-hand bend to rejoin a wide, carriage-road. Follow this road to reach the RD745 south of the village.

(8) Turn left and follow this road back up to the village (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,299 ft - Chisa car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.39 - alt. 1,670 ft - Water tank
  3. 2 : mi 0.68 - alt. 2,188 ft - Trail junction
  4. 3 : mi 0.94 - alt. 2,165 ft - Rocks
  5. 4 : mi 1.92 - alt. 2,051 ft - Junction of the circular loop
  6. 5 : mi 2.56 - alt. 2,690 ft - U Saparghionu Cave
  7. 6 : mi 3.53 - alt. 1,811 ft - Fence
  8. 7 : mi 3.69 - alt. 1,614 ft - Junction
  9. 8 : mi 4.59 - alt. 1,243 ft - RD745
  10. S/E : mi 4.94 - alt. 1,299 ft - Chisa car park

Notes

Crossing small streams, mostly dry, no water sources.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
User 20050182

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with a superb view from the cave where we had our picnic. I was leading a group of 20 people, not all of whom were particularly fit, and they found it challenging. It’s quite steep at the start and finish; the rest is fairly flat, but the dirt track has been churned up by wild boars almost everywhere. I don’t think this walk is very popular, and it’s particularly tricky in a section through the forest where there are lots of fallen trees and rocks – there’s no path at all, so you have to blindly follow the Visiorando route!

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Jean-Michel Perigault
Jean-Michel Perigault

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, with a steep climb at the beginning, then it levels out. Towards the middle of the hike, there are lots of fallen trees, which make it difficult to progress. The cave is magnificent. We took a break just in front of it on a stone platform with a superb view of the valley, but it is a little dangerous and not recommended with children. Then we descended towards Chisa.

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Moune57
Moune57

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, very pleasant and easy hike. We were accompanied by an extraordinary dog. He followed us throughout the entire hike.

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bonachera jean francois
bonachera jean francois

Hello
As for the letter J, in Corsica there are two triphthongs: GHJ (pronounced ‘Dieu’) and CHJ (pronounced ‘TIEU’)
As for the sheepfold, I’m not familiar with it, but the one in Les Pianures has been restored and is open to visitors... Thank you for your kind reply, and see you soon...
jf

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Lerocher
Lerocher

Hello Jean-François,
As for the "J", I haven’t been able to find any information on this spelling... other than the pronunciation?
Good point about the sheepfold at Pianure.
Just so you know, Antonin told me that the Purcaricciola sheepfold to the south is no longer in use.

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bonachera jean francois
bonachera jean francois

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The Saparaghjonu cave (with a J, please) used to open to the east and plunged straight down into the valley, allowing its ‘residents’ (bandits, resistance fighters) to keep watch for approaching enemies (gendarmes, the army, Blackshirts, etc.). Today, for safety reasons; it’s a shame, but essential given the danger of the site.
Note that by following the path northwards (which climbs to the Bocca di Bianca), you reach the Bergerie di È Pianure in five minutes; having been renovated, it is now possible to spend the night there

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