The Capanella Tower and Porto Pollo in Serra di Ferro

From Porto Pollo, a picturesque trail through the scrubland leads to the Genoese tower of Capanella, where free access to the top offers a magnificent view of the pretty bay of Cupabia, Punta and the cove of Capanella.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.38 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 248 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 245 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 202 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Depart from the port car park. Take the port access road to rejoin the departmental road 757, then turn right towards the village. Take the main road to the self-service shop.

(1) 50m after, take a path on the left marked by a signpost on the left side of the road. The path climbs through the scrub between a low stone wall and a fence. Follow the orange markings.
Looking back during the climb, you will see the Taravo valley and the Tanchiccia lake.

(2) At the first crossroads, take the slightly downhill path on the left towards Punta Di Porto Poddu (Porto Pollo point). There are no signs.

(3) 100 metres after the large rock on the right of the path, leave the wide path and turn right, then follow the sandy track that enters the vegetation. Follow the path, which then descends quite steeply towards the tower that can be seen through the trees.

(4) Genoese tower of Capanella. Find the path behind the tower and begin the descent.

(5) At the crossroads at the bottom of the slope, turn left and follow a wide track through the vegetation. Ignore the small paths and property entrances and stay on the main path (yellow markings).

(6) At the crossroads of the "panorama de Porto Pollo" housing estate, turn right onto the tarmac road towards "Résidence de Punta".

After "a Punta", leave the road going straight ahead and turn left towards the housing estate on the peninsula.

(7) At the end of the road, take the small path on the left that runs alongside a property, then go through a gate and down a lane leading to the coast.

(8) Facing the sea, turn left and then follow the coastline as closely as possible until you reach the car park at Porto Pollo harbour, the end of this hike (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1 m - Starting point: car park at the port of Porto Pollo
  2. 1 : km 0.84 - alt. 8 m - Turn left at the signpost
  3. 2 : km 2.23 - alt. 202 m - At the crossroads, turn left
  4. 3 : km 2.51 - alt. 188 m - Turn right
  5. 4 : km 3.11 - alt. 104 m - Capanella Tower - Panoramic view
  6. 5 : km 3.24 - alt. 53 m - At the main track, turn left.
  7. 6 : km 6.51 - alt. 31 m - Crossroads: turn right onto the paved road
  8. 7 : km 7.67 - alt. 17 m - Opposite a property, take the path on the left
  9. 8 : km 7.83 - alt. 4 m - Turn left towards the port
  10. S/E : km 8.38 - alt. 1 m - Arrival: car park at the port of Porto Pollo

Notes

(6) You can shorten the hike by continuing straight ahead to the port of Porto Pollo.

Worth a visit

When you reach a large rock on the right of the path, don't hesitate to climb to the easily accessible summit for a panoramic view of the Gulf of Propriano and Cupabbia Bay.

The beautiful Genoese tower of Capanella, which dominates the bay of Cuppabia, has been completely restored. Free access to the interior and the observation terrace at the top is via an external ladder, followed by a secure internal ladder. From the top, the beautiful 360° view makes you want to extend your break. Find the path behind the tower and begin your descent.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 43 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 12587280

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

The route was exactly as described. It was both technical and fast-paced, with extraordinary views. Plus, you could go for a swim at the finish line.

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Michel3280
Michel3280

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike... The initial climb requires good training. Beautiful views. The tower and the climb to the top are a reward in themselves... original...
Some difficulty finding the route towards the end. Crossing through private property, but no problem. Highly recommended!

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michel tout court
michel tout court

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

There is not much of a view (high scrubland).
Dangerous descent to the tower (not to be done after rain).
Return along an uninteresting carriageway.
The tower, on the other hand, is nice if you climb up it using the ladders.

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Dominique69440
Dominique69440

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Interesting circuit with beautiful views and the tower which is worth climbing.
However, although it's rated average, there are some tricky sections right from the start.
The gradient is high (200 metres in 1500 m) and the stones and various holes can be a source of trouble, and of course the same applies on the return journey, with a downhill path on which you have to be very careful.
So no young children. Good high hiking boots, plenty of water and a hat.
Finally, there are plenty of opportunities for swimming and, in the end, it doesn't matter how long you actually stay in the water.
This route has to be earned, but it has a lot to give.

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Sowos
Sowos

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty walk, not at all monotonous and with a great diversity of paths. The final 2 km loop means you can shorten the walk if you need to.

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lilouyoko
lilouyoko

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's fine. Done in the opposite direction. A beautiful view of Cupabia Bay.

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Alain810
Alain810

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk with beautiful scenery

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Sebast V
Sebast V
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

It's a lovely walk with magnificent views, and you shouldn't hesitate to go a few metres out of your way to climb the rocks to see them.
The climb up the tower offers a sumptuous panorama.
After the tower, don't hesitate to head down to the coves - it's well worth the diversions, which takes around 1 km more each way.
For your information, if you find the walk too long, you can easily shorten it at the end by cutting straight across at point 6, which saves around 1.3 km.

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Gigi 2A
Gigi 2A

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful walk with views over the Gulf of Valinco and the Bay of Cupabia. Take your time to enjoy the little coves at the foot of the tower before heading back.

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Gillou35
Gillou35

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk even if the end of the route is less interesting

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caouec
caouec

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

the end of the route from point 6 is of little interest

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adjudant
adjudant

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely route, the completely rebuilt tower is sublime, great view from the top, but the signposting is almost non-existent.

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SABetCED
SABetCED

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A challenging hike to the Capanella Tower.
I recommend the climb up the tower for adrenalin-seekers.
The rest of the hike, however, is less interesting.

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GUILLAUME.S
GUILLAUME.S

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk with few visitors. Beautiful viewpoints

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Méné Hoguéné
Méné Hoguéné

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Superb panoramas, a magnificent walk

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