Monte Astu from Lama

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike starting from Lama. We set off from the church and crossed the village to reach the start of the trail. This is marked by an information board. It takes 1½ hours to climb to the refuge and then 1 hour to reach Monte As-tu. There is a 1,000 m elevation gain. At the foot of the summit, we opted for the orange markings that go around to the left. The yellow route was impossible for us with a dog (chain). Breathtaking 360° views of the eastern plain, Cap Corse, the Gulf of Saint Florent and Île Rousse.

Machine-translated

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

a superb hike in glorious November weather.
We set off at 9.15am from LAMA church and arrived at the summit of MONTE ASTU at 11.20am, walking at a brisk pace.
The hike was very well marked from the start to the summit on a trail with numerous cairns, making it impossible to get lost
4 hours 30 minutes round trip.
Shortly before arriving at the refuge, there are four very large chestnut trees that are over a hundred years old.
At the foot of the last difficult section, which requires a bit of climbing, there is a chain about ten metres long that makes it much easier to reach the summit. Alternatively, if you are prone to vertigo, bypass the last difficult section on the left by going around a large pile of scrap metal and following the orange markings, which will take you to the summit without any difficulty! I descended from the summit via this route.
From the summit, there are breathtaking 360° views.
I highly recommend this hike.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, but it takes six hours there and back

Machine-translated

Date of your route : May 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike that is definitely worth doing if you are in the area.
The trail is very well marked (yellow markings) from Lama to the summit, so it's impossible to get lost.
The hike involves a lot of elevation gain, but the trail is not technical (except for the last 20 metres to the summit).
The first climb from Lama is long but steady and is on the north side (in the shade in the morning). Once you reach the first "pass", the climb is entirely in the sun. Take plenty of water and do not do this hike in the middle of summer (or set off very, very early).

We completed the hike at a very good pace, reaching the summit in 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

It is possible to return via the village of Pietralba (opening of paths for the A Petralbinca trail), which allows the descent to pass through the village (obviously, plan to leave a car on the way, as Lama is about a 15-minute drive from Pietralba) In this case, take a path on the right as you descend, about 30 to 40 minutes after the Pruninca refuge, indicated by a sign (2 hours).

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We really enjoyed this hike. The route is varied, and despite some steep climbs, we didn't find it difficult. We no longer go via point 3 (it shortens the distance ;-). Take the dotted points at level 1172 (well marked on the ground). The view is SUPERB.
BEWARE, in Balagne, you will find stinging plants along the trails. A word of advice: wear trousers.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : May 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

hike on Tuesday, 17 May 2022
Visit the pretty church of San Lurenzu at the start of the village.
The trail, which is very well marked and maintained, starts at the top of the village and was magnificent in May with lots of flowers.
it climbs gently to the refuge (see four magnificent chestnut trees just before you arrive). Allow 1.5 hours to get there at a leisurely pace.
there is a lovely view from the refuge over the Cinto, Ile Rousse and Ostriconi mountains.
From the refuge, the trail climbs steeply over rocky terrain. A few short flat sections allow you to catch your breath.
You reach the foot of the mountain via a long, gentle slope.
at the foot of the rock: there are two options
Climb it via the orange trail (steep)
go around the rock to the east and follow the yellow trail. Access to the wooden cross, brand new and installed in early May 2022, is not difficult at all. I got there in 2 hours and 50 minutes (from Lama) walking at a leisurely pace
The 360° view from the top is exceptional: Gulf of St Florent, Cap Nebbiu, Cinto massif, Balagne!
The return descent to the village is long and challenging.
best done in spring or autumn and before the winter snow.
A very beautiful 7-hour hike in total

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in February with fog at times. Once at the top, we had to wait for the fog to clear a little.
Otherwise, the trail markings are clear, perhaps due to the absence of tall vegetation.
The last "climb" section is passable, and if you are afraid of heights, it is possible to go around it.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike!!!! Incredible view from the summit! Plus, we had snow on the last stretch before the summit, and it was just beautiful!
Be careful at this time of year because the start is a bit slippery, you're walking on water that's flowing due to the thaw.
There is a place where the vegetation has grown back (as mentioned in the previous comment) and you have to make a small detour. BE CAREFUL TO GET BACK ON THE TRAIL AFTERWARDS, as it is easy to miss!

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

PLEASE NOTE: part of the suggested route is no longer passable because vegetation has grown back and there are no longer any landmarks. It is therefore very easy to get lost. I did this hike today and managed to find my way because I had a GPS device.
I confirm V4_Pat's comments.
After the Prunincu refuge, at around the altitude of 1172m, take the dotted line on the IGN map to the right. This route is marked in yellow. In fact, just follow the yellow markings from Lama and they will take you to Monte Astu.
Otherwise, it's a very beautiful hike and the view from the summit is magnificent. One of the most beautiful 360° views on the island.

Machine-translated

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

Date of hike: Friday, 11 October 2019
Hike description: Good
Reliability of the route on the map: Very good
Hiking route: accessible to all hikers aged 7 to 70 who are used to walking in medium-altitude mountains

No particular difficulty except for a slightly steep start for 20 minutes. After that, the climb is steady with a nice view of Balagne and the village of Lama (about 25 minutes). After this ascent (1,100 m) to the refuge, the trail winds gently along the mountainside, allowing you to recover from your efforts. After the refuge, the final section presents no particular difficulty until you reach the foot of the rocky peak, allowing the more daring to finish the climb (off the marked trail) free-handed on the rock face (20m). At the summit, there is a sublime 360° view of the sea and mountains.
This 3-hour hike, including a stop at the refuge and clearly marked (with paint and cairns), will remain a superb walk for me.
Remember to bring water as there are no rivers or drinking water sources along the route.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

no difficulties
only pleasant surprises
5 chestnut trees that deserve respect
a well-maintained refuge
a few cows, goats and other birds
a 360° view

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Jun 05, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A superb hike that I highly recommend, as the view from the top is breathtaking.

Not recommended in summer. I did it today, starting at 7 a.m., and it was already 20°C.
it took 1 hour 15 minutes to reach the refuge and 2 hours 15 minutes in total to reach the summit. Normal pace.

Be careful, however, as the route shown here is no longer correct, as indicated by V4_Pat. After the refuge and the climb to a sort of pass, there is a path that branches off to the right (at point 1172 on the IGN map). I didn't see any other trail apart from this one.

It is very well marked all the way to the summit of Astu. For the last short climb, there are two options:
- a bit of climbing on the right. It's not difficult, and there's a chain to help you.
- go around the summit on the left (you go almost all the way around).

3 litres of water for me, even when setting off early.

In any case, if you're in the area, don't miss it. Despite the significant elevation gain, I didn't find it too difficult.

On the way back, I spoke to the guy at the refuge who was repainting some of the markings to improve them.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Sunday, 23 September 2018
Magnificent hike to the Prunincu sheepfolds
Perfect signage
A very beautiful day
It took us 1 hour and 40 minutes with our friends, and we enjoyed the view of Balagne

Thanks to Visorando
Mado

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Impossible to get lost
A beautiful hike that's not that difficult! Pleasant winding paths. Superb finish.

Machine-translated