Lake Nino via Bocca San Pedru

A legendary place in Corsica: Lake Nino and its pozzines.

You have a magnificent view of the Cintu massif, the Gulf of Cargèse, and if you are lucky, you will encounter beautiful wild horses.

Details

n°1193103

Creation:
02 Jun 2018

Last update:
–

Last review:
08 Sep 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 17.69 km
Average duration: 7h 20
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 802 m
Descent: - 795 m
Highest point: 1,883 m
Lowest point: 1,132 m

Country: France
District: Albertacce (20224)
Start/End: N 42.275158° / E 8.903746°
IGN map(s): Ref. 4150OT, 4251OT, 4251OTR
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Description of the walk

Park a few kilometres after the adventure park, before a small bridge and the Fontaine Caroline on the D24 (marked on the IGN map).

(S/E) The trail starts on the left after the bridge and is marked in yellow with a sign indicating "Bocca San Pedru". The trail climbs gently.

(1) At the junction with the track, don't miss the trail on the other side and turn right.

(2) Once you reach the^GR®20, climb straight up towards the Col de San Pedru. The climb is steep but pleasant as it winds its way up.

(3) When you reach Col de San Pedru, admire the view of the Cintu massif, Paglia Orba and the top of the Gulf of Porto. The^GR®20trail branches off to the left.

(4) Cross the Serra San Tomaghiu to reach Bocca â Reta.

(5) Remember to stop and turn around. In the distance, you can see the sea and the Gulf of Cargèse. Once you have passed the pass, descend gently towards the lake.

(6) At Lake Nino, let yourself be charmed by this extraordinary place. The pozzines form pools and streams, creating a magnificent sight. Be careful, as these streams can be deep.

(7) This is also the source of the Tavignanu, which flows towards Corte.
If you are lucky, you may see horses roaming freely. Go around the lake on the right, then turn left to go almost all the way around it and climb through the rocks towards Bocca Stazzona. The pass is marked by a cross.

(8) At the pass, descend following the cairns. The descent is very steep and not necessarily pleasant. It levels out after the Colga sheepfolds.

(9) At the Maison forestière sign, take the path on the left: the Sentier de Ronde du Niolu. This is a hillside path steeped in history. Very pleasant.

(10) At the forest track junction, continue straight ahead on the patrol path. You will then join the^GR®20.

(2) At the junction with the^GR®20, take the path on the right that you took on the way there.
You can dip your feet (and/or the rest of you) in the stream before returning to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,132 m - Car park on the edge of the D24
1 : km 0.8 - alt. 1,223 m - Trail junction
2 : km 1.94 - alt. 1,377 m - GR20 junction
3 : km 2.47 - alt. 1,453 m - Bocca San Pedru - Bocca San Pedru
4 : km 4.78 - alt. 1,762 m - Serra San Tomaghiu
5 : km 6.33 - alt. 1,882 m - Bocca â Reta
6 : km 7.57 - alt. 1,754 m - Lac de Nino
7 : km 9.19 - alt. 1,751 m - Source - Tavignano (fleuve)
8 : km 9.42 - alt. 1,777 m - Bocca a Stazzona
9 : km 10.99 - alt. 1,362 m - Crossing the Niolu trail
10 : km 14.77 - alt. 1,374 m - Trail junction
S/E : km 17.69 - alt. 1,132 m - Car park on the edge of the D24

Notes

Remember to take plenty of water. I took 3 litres. You can fill your water bottle at Lake Nino (Fontaine de la Vierge).
Set off early. Please don't do what I saw some people doing on the way down, who were starting the climb at 1 p.m.

I strongly advise against the alternative route that starts at the adventure park and goes via Bocca a Stazzona. It's shorter, but should be avoided unless you're an experienced hiker. I came across lots of people who were struggling or had given up.

Estimated time: 6 hours 50 minutes. I did it in 5 hours 45 minutes. Good pace. The climb took me 2 hours 15 minutes (to Lake Nino).

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5

Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

Biquette13

08 Sep 2025 at 16:22 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I set off from the forest house. The yellow markings go from the forest house to the lake. However, they bypass the terraced path.
The path is easy at first, then becomes more challenging in the scree.
I left at 8:30 a.m. and there weren't many people on the path, but there were hikers from the GR20 at the lake and I met quite a few people on the way down.
So to enjoy the lake, set off early.
Otherwise, it's superb

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Biquette13

08 Sep 2025 at 16:19 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

The yellow markings go from the forest house to the lake. However, they bypass the terraced path.
The path is easy at first, then becomes more challenging in the scree.
I set off at 8.30am and there weren't many people on the path, but there were hikers on the GR20 by the lake and I met quite a few people on the way down.
So to enjoy the lake, set off early.
Otherwise, it's superb

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Louise.w

21 May 2025 at 22:06 7200 • Edited: 21 May 2025 at 22:08 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A very pleasant hike with a varied route and scenery. We did it in the direction indicated. The climb is gradual and not particularly difficult, but the descent between points 8 and 9 is steep and challenging (rocks and pebbles, which can be slippery depending on the weather). At point 9, take the path marked "Col de Vergio". We didn't see the "sentier de ronde" sign mentioned by the author, but the trail is correct.
We completed the hike in 5 hours and loved it, thank you 😄
PS: choose the direction of the circular loop depending on whether you prefer to do the steep part uphill or downhill.

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Nasrinfar04

26 Oct 2022 at 21:09 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did the circular loop in reverse (climbing from the sheepfold, Lake Nino and descending via the ridge path) to avoid descending the scree slope. We set off from the forest house in Poppaghia.
The path is well marked throughout with cairns and painted markings. We highly recommend taking the ridge path, which offers magnificent views.
The scree slope is manageable with the right equipment (good mountain boots) and does not present any major difficulties.
The ascent took us 1 hour 50 minutes and the descent about 2 hours 30 minutes.

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arthur34

16 Sep 2020 at 08:38 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant climb to the highest point of the hike (Bocca a Reta). It takes 2½ hours to reach Lake Ninu. The descent via Bocca a Stazzona to the Colga sheepfolds is quite difficult. Then it was impossible to find the junction at point 9 towards the Valdu Niellu coastal path. We were forced to descend to the Popaghja forest house and walk 2 km along the road to find our car at the starting point. Otherwise, Lake Ninu remains magical. The hike took 5 hours.

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spez

06 Aug 2018 at 09:15 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I combined this hike for the outward journey and followed the description of the Lac de Nino hike from Poppaghia, which ends at the forest house. It's a little shorter and you can pick up your car two kilometres further up the road.
Otherwise, it's a great hike!

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jean.lamy

15 Jun 2018 at 20:56 7200

Thanks for the information!

Jean

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lgigi

15 Jun 2018 at 09:36 7200

It is perfectly safe to drink the water from the fountain located along the GR trail by the lake. It is completely drinkable.

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jean.lamy
18 Walks

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