The old Petra Rossa lead mine.

de fr

The old Petra Rossa mine, known as the Finosa mine, opened in 1912 to extract lead, silver, manganese and iron ores, and was closed after the Second World War. Source: Wikipedia
The Finosa mines extracted silver-bearing lead (galena, cerussite), zinc (blende) and copper (bornite).
Most of the mining at La Finosa was carried out in open pits.
Prospecting on the site began in the 1910s. Source: Ghisoni Civil Heritage.

Details

n°2599669
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.39 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 184 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 192 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 609 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 433 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Ghisoni (20227)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 42.104173° / E 9.244059°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 4352OT
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Photos

Azurite rock
Access to the mine galleries.
Equipment left on site at the mine stop.
Equipment left on site at the mine stop.

Description of the walk

To reach the starting point, at the exit of the Sampolo Dam tunnel D344, approximately 4.2 km away, cross a small bridge. Just after the bridge, as a landmark on the right, you will see the road leading to the villages of Monagu and Agnatello. Your starting point is a small car park on the left. Please arrive early as parking spaces are limited.
Please note: Do not go past the Accrobranches adventure park, Vecchia Mina. If you do, turn back.
(S/E) Follow the path to the bridge over the Fium'Orbu.

(1) Cross it and continue, ignoring a path on the left. Reach the ruined hamlet of Paganellu or Paganello, ignoring all the paths on the left and right.

(2) Continue, keeping some distance from the right bank of the Finosa stream. Reach it.

(3) Ford it and continue towards the mine. To reach the mine and bypass the ravine, follow a water pipe on the right. Cross the Finosa stream again. Reach the mines.

(4) Return via the same route to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 445 m - Parking on the side of the D344.
  2. 1 : km 0.2 - alt. 433 m - Bridge over the Fium'Orbo - Fiumorbo (fleuve)
  3. 2 : km 0.8 - alt. 514 m - Paganello
  4. 3 : km 1.31 - alt. 562 m - The Finosa stream
  5. S/E : km 3.39 - alt. 445 m - Parking on the side of the D344.

Notes

No water on the route. Beware of high temperatures.
Very rocky path, good hiking boots and hiking poles are necessary.
Bring IGN map No. 4352OT
Traces made on the ground using a GPS device: Twonav Sportiva2.

Worth a visit

The Inzecca gorge
Beautiful view of the Renoso Massif.
On site: For rock lovers, there are azurites, malachites and other coloured stones.
The superb farmhouse inn U Sampolu.

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 / 5
Chrisgoodspeed
Chrisgoodspeed

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and fairly easy hike, suitable for children.

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Elsa27
Elsa27
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk for the whole family, with a well-explained route.
Slight incline throughout, suitable for everyone.
A charming little abandoned hamlet + interesting mine ruins.
Very few visitors.
Short lunch break at the inn after the walk, very good traditional cuisine with excellent value for money.
I highly recommend it.

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MARYSE45
MARYSE45

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short hike in beautiful surroundings, with a destination, ideal for a little warm-up.
Very little used (I didn't meet anyone on the way there or back), one thing to note: the path turns left at the abandoned village, so you have to climb over the fallen tree and follow the path where the pine trees are growing!
It can be very nice to plan a picnic and take a refreshing dip in the river on the way back down.

Machine-translated

Incantesimu
Incantesimu

Hello,
I am the creator of this hike. It is true that there are no markings, but it couldn't be easier to follow. With the description I have provided, all you need to do is follow the path and bring an IGN map or print out the route from this website. This hike is short, but you can take your time and reflect on how people worked in the last century and under what conditions. Meditate, reflect and enjoy Carpe Diem. As for the clouds, when I have time and the time is right, I will complain to God.

Incantesimu

Machine-translated

Poulet+randonneur
Poulet+randonneur

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Only moderately interesting, considering Corsica's industrial era.
It's reliable enough, but as there are no signs pointing to the abandoned hamlet, I chose the right path at random...
As it was a short walk, on the way back I took the other road, which led me to a pass where the view would have been magnificent if the clouds hadn't obscured the horizon... To be repeated on a clear day...

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