The Ucelluline Waterfall or Bucatoggio Waterfall

When nature becomes a spectacle.
Secret yet welcoming, the Ucelluline waterfall (meaning "little bird" in Corsican) offers a striking setting that will leave a lasting impression. Between the villages of Santa Maria Poggio and San Nicolao, discover this wild and unspoilt site where fresh, clear water flows before your eyes and continues its journey to the sea. This walk is very popular during the day, but also at night, when its misty veil is fully illuminated and will fill you with wonder.

Details

817216
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.56 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 423 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 433 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 322 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 35 m

Photos

Description of the walk

When you arrive in Pianelli, head down towards the Genoese bridge and park in the village car park almost opposite the ruined chapel of Pievanie di Santa-Maria (see IGN map 4351OT). GPS coordinates: 42.35854, 9.50855

(S/E) Take the carriageway heading south-west to join the D334.

(1) At the reservoir, leave this road and take the path on the left (signposted) towards San Nicolao. Cut across the bends in the road to reach the village of Santa-Maria-Poggio.

(2) At the church, turn right onto the D330 Strada di A Serpentina road. Continue to the Bucatoggio tunnels. Go through them and turn left to reach the Ucelluline waterfall.

(3) Return to the D330 and continue left to reach the village of Fanu (Fano).

(4) In front of the chapel below, you will see the path that leads to the ruined village of Raggia. Follow the orange signs.

(5) Pass the ruined hamlet of Raggia and continue to follow the orange signs to reach the Genoese bridge.

(6) Cross this magnificent Genoese bridge and, about 50 metres further on, turn left to quickly reach another crossroads.

(7) Turn right, pass an archaeological site on your left and continue straight ahead to reach the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 45 m - Start: Pianelli village car park, see IGN map
  2. 1 : km 1.17 - alt. 165 m - Reservoir, path on the left
  3. 2 : km 2.11 - alt. 322 m - Church, on the right on the D330
  4. 3 : km 4.5 - alt. 318 m - Ucelluline waterfall
  5. 4 : km 5.34 - alt. 273 m - Chapel, orange marked path
  6. 5 : km 5.77 - alt. 196 m - Ruined hamlet of Raggia
  7. 6 : km 7.23 - alt. 39 m - Turn left after the Genoese bridge
  8. 7 : km 7.33 - alt. 37 m - Fork in the road, turn right
  9. S/E : km 7.56 - alt. 44 m - Arrival at the starting point

Notes

Trail recorded using a Twonav Sportiva 2 GPS device.

Bring the IGN 4351OT map

Worth a visit

The hamlet of Raggia - Raghja (pronounced Räghja) is said to be the birthplace of the Raggia family. This hamlet, now deserted, was populated until the early 1930s and its inhabitants were known as Reghjacci.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 30 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
User 26302703

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A fairly easy hike, except for the start, which is quite steep but still manageable. You can avoid the paid parking (not only for trail maintenance, as indicated, but contradicted by a villager) by parking in the village or between points 1 and 2. There are quite a few spaces available at the end of June. We paid for parking but regretted it. The route is quite good on the asphalt.
Very beautiful waterfall. Swimming is possible for more experienced swimmers.
Beautiful Genoese bridge.
If you have a choice, go for the Meli waterfall without hesitation.

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Incantesimu
Incantesimu

Hello,

That's right! I forgot, nowadays we're amazed by nothing. The aim is to ride, not to drive.

On the whole, not many people are dissatisfied, just look at the reviews.

Sincerely

Incantesimu

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User 2946885
• Edited:

This is the first time I've found the description confusing. There are very few signs on the spot that make it difficult to understand whether you're on the right path. What's more, the track we followed after crossing the Genoese bridge to Fano is totally devoid of interest, with the exception of the beautiful church of San Nicolao. The shortcuts that allow you to cut the passages on the road are not indicated. All in all, a great frustration, fortunately we saw the waterfall from the road by car.
The Ucelluline waterfall is very beautiful and easy to get to by car.

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User 23142032

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Great hikes and beautiful discoveries.
Easy for beginners

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Alex Go
Alex Go

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant autumn walk with beautiful views, pretty villages, colourful forests and a waterfall (we didn't go up, as there were "danger" signs).
Nothing complicated, it can take a while to get going on the road, but there aren't really any other options.
You can add a detour to visit the church of San Nicolao or cut across to the Genoese bridge before Faro (there's a map at the car park entrance).

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LG90
LG90

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great 👍
I did it with my elderly father this year in September. It was a bit steep in places, but nothing too challenging. It's ideal for getting back into walking, and the waterfall is the reward.

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petitboutdevie
petitboutdevie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

We didn't climb up to the Ucelluline waterfall as our physical condition didn't allow it, but we did see the waterfall from the road.
Next to the Genoese bridge is the Buccaggio waterfall, which is a shame the route doesn't go there. To get there, after the Genoese bridge, when you reach the stony path, turn right and follow the path, then the river, and you'll find a lovely swimming spot when you arrive.

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Frederico
Frederico

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

surprise at the start: €5 parking fee. Option B: park at point no. 1. Easy-to-follow orange markings. A little hesitation when entering the hamlet of Raghja. You have to like tarmac. This hike covers approximately 3.5 km of road

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FXB
FXB

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike, beautiful landscapes, but point 3 is of no interest and even dangerous, otherwise really great

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Weifter
Weifter

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The hike involved more road walking than we anticipated. We were also surprised to have to pay €5 for parking at the start. The waterfall looked nice but was too crowded for our liking, given that you can park right at the bottom. The scenery was beautiful nonetheless.

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Dofel
Dofel

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with superb scenery.
Just one thing, in my opinion, that needs to be corrected. This hike cannot be considered "easy" with the climb to the waterfall. Some people in their reviews have used the word "dangerous". At the start of the climb, there is a "Danger" sign. The climb is very steep, you have to use your hands and it is very slippery. Easy means accessible to everyone...
This is strictly my personal opinion, of course.
Thank you for this beautiful walk!

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Michel et pat
Michel et pat

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike to the Genoese bridge, abandoned village of Ragiu, village of Fanu, waterfall

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BAMX
BAMX

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Since we already knew the area, we didn't do the entire hike. Just the waterfall, which was as beautiful as ever

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Chis Coach
Chis Coach

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Despite a somewhat lengthy start on the tarmac, the rest of the hike is magnificent. Every turn reveals a new landscape.
The final approach to the waterfall is a little tricky, but the rest of the hike is superb.
Thank you.

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courjus52
courjus52

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

At the starting point, there was no space, so we drove further up the route and parked next to the San Pancrazio chapel. The route was shaded and not too crowded.
about 400 metres before the waterfall, look carefully and you'll see small statues and devotional objects in and on the rocks.
And in the ruins of Raggia, there are tables in the shade for a picnic lunch. The Genoese bridge is magnificent.

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