Tour of the Aiguilles de Bavella

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A sublime hike around the Aiguilles de Bavella.

A long and demanding hike (see practical information).

Details

n°38552
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.97 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 7 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 866 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 870 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,682 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,015 m
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Photos

The pass
Aiguille de Bavella
Panorama from Punta di u Pargulu
At the top

Description of the walk

Start from the Col de Bavella (a car park with no charge but with hollows and bumps, a tarmac car park with a charge).

(S/E) Follow the road towards Zonza, leaving the statue of Notre-Dame des Neiges on your right. After about 50 metres, turn right onto a path that soon becomes shaded (follow the GR®20to the north-west, marked in red and white). You will soon come to a fork in the road.

(1) Go straight ahead along the alpine variant of the GR®20(yellow markings; leave the GR®20to the left). Climb through a mineral landscape on a fairly steep path. Note a climbing cliff on the right. The path bends to the right and climbs steeply under pine trees to the foot of vertical walls. This brings you to Bocca di u Trouvone.

(2) Go down the other side, to the left, and wind up a few bends. Climb up through the rocks, ignoring a track on the left that leads up to Bocca di l'Arghettu. After threading your way between two rocks, reach the top of a slab equipped with a chain at the foot of tower no. 2.

(3) Climb down the slab with the help of the chain, facing the slope or turning around as you feel like it. At the bottom of the slab, two large steps are required to descend on stirrups fixed into the rock. Continue north up a steep path. This brings you to the foot of tower no. 3, at Bocca di u Pargulu, from where you have a superb view of the Côte de Nacre.

(4) Start the descent by continuing northwards. Soon turn north-west and descend steeply until you reach the junction with the GR®20.

(5) Follow the GR® downhill to the left, heading south-east (red and white markings).

(6) The path heads east and becomes a false flat when crossing. Make a few bends to cross the torrent beds, which are dry in summer. The path then heads north-east and climbs steeply.

(1) At the intersection at the start of the hike, turn right and follow the GR®20to the Col de Bavella (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,219 m - Col de Bavella (1217m)
  2. 1 : km 0.3 - alt. 1,206 m - Loop crossroads. Turn opposite
  3. 2 : km 0.96 - alt. 1,443 m - Bocca di u Trouvone
  4. 3 : km 1.45 - alt. 1,446 m - Slab with chain
  5. 4 : km 2.41 - alt. 1,674 m - Bocca di u Pargulu
  6. 5 : km 3.67 - alt. 1,314 m - Junction with the GR°°®°°20
  7. 6 : km 6.78 - alt. 1,067 m - Change of direction
  8. S/E : km 10.97 - alt. 1,219 m - Col de Bavella (1217m)

Notes

Hiking equipment essential.

This hike should be undertaken in dry, clear weather. In summer, take plenty of water. Save energy for the climb back up to the Col de Bavella at the end of the hike.

The alpine variant of the GR®20, between (1) and (5), follows a track among the rocks or on the rocks themselves. Careful attention is required, both when putting your feet down (and sometimes your hands), and so as not to lose the route (be sure to follow the yellow markings, which can be seen from a distance). Progress is slower than on a footpath, both up and down.

Comments from hikers who have completed this loop, and local information, suggest that it will take around 7 or 8 hours, considerably longer than indicated on the route description.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 166 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 21085261

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in October, starting in the morning. The trail markings are clearly visible. The hike is classified as very difficult. Being over 50, I found it quite challenging because the return journey is very long, and after trudging along rocky paths, your legs are tired. Otherwise, it's worth the detour as the scenery is breathtaking.

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User 28003836

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The description of the hike perfectly matched what awaited us. The start is quite steep and may seem difficult for those prone to vertigo. The rest of the hike, after the summit of Bocca Pargulu, is much less demanding, but still offers truly magnificent scenery.

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Marinaa
Marinaa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, one of my favourite hikes with stunning scenery, especially at the beginning of the hike with a view of the peaks. The hike took 6 hours including breaks. There weren't many hikers as we did it out of season. I didn't find this hike "very difficult" as indicated, but rather difficult. You need to be in good physical condition and not afraid of heights, as the first 5 kilometres involve climbing paths with lots of rocks, and there is a particularly "risky" section where you have to climb down a rock face, holding onto a chain and descending steps. Nevertheless, for someone who feels comfortable descending and is physically fit, it is entirely possible to do this hike, which is really worthwhile in good weather!

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User 22522610

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

the route was much longer than expected. 19 km instead of 11...

poorly marked

the route is indeed very difficult
the second part is also very long.

therefore, plan to return before nightfall

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User 1558658

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Allows you to complete part of the GR20 with a return to the starting point by taking the Alpine variant at the start.

This variant is well known for being "parish specific to Brittany" and "very difficult", meaning that you will need to use your hands at several points. The various viewpoints are well worth the effort.

Beware of dogs!
I did this hike with my dog (a collie) who is not at all agile. Sometimes you have to carry or help your dog climb (e.g. an 80 cm high rock to climb).
And especially the passage with the chain.
You must have two people or a dog carrier backpack, or be strong enough to carry the dog.

Personally, I carried my dog on my shoulder and climbed down backwards. My partner waited for me at the end of the passage to take my dog (a 1.5-metre vertical passage that the dog cannot climb down on its own).
Unless you have a sporty and agile dog like a Malinois, you still need to be prepared for this unavoidable passage!

I strongly advise descending in the same direction as the ascent with the chain, i.e. backwards. It is much easier and less dangerous.

Be careful in wet weather, as a fall can be extremely dangerous.

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User 21152542

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The start of the trail is magnificent: it climbs steeply and quickly, offering magnificent views of the peaks. The return trip, however, is very long and a bit monotonous, as it follows forest trails sheltered by trees. The start of the walk is very interesting, but the descent is less so.
One small point to note: the walk is a little over 12 km, not 10.9 km as indicated.
However, it is not "very difficult", just a little technical in the first part and therefore probably complicated with children.

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Nico_GNTT
Nico_GNTT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike!!! The first part is quite difficult, but as soon as you take your eyes off your feet, you'll be amazed by the views. It's easy to lose track of the path in this first section. We had to turn back several times.
Be careful of loose stones and rocks, which can easily roll down the slope and hit hikers below... Once you've made the switchback descent, you can't get lost. Save your energy for the last 800 metres

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christophe FABRY
christophe FABRY

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with magnificent views. A minimum level of fitness is required. The signage is satisfactory. A little tip: it's better to start with the Alpine variant and finish with the GR 20 section. At the start of the hike, you'll have a little more energy. However, you don't need to be particularly fit to do this hike.

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User 11743441
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A circuit that is well worth the effort. We are two young people aged 28, we don't go hiking very often, and it seemed accessible for people who are physically fit! We did it in 5½ hours, including a break for lunch.

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h.szeflinski
h.szeflinski

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Covered in just under 6 hours in the heat
you can avoid the €2.50 per hour parking fee by driving further down and parking on the land on the right-hand side of the road towards Zonza (300 metres from the start)
It's longer than expected: count on 12 or 12.5 km according to GPS watches, and around 900 m of elevation gain
The end (the last 3 km) seems a bit long, especially when you think you're setting off for 10 km
the difficult section (chains) is not that difficult, although you need to watch out for the stones, which are polished and slippery from being walked on so many times

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User 16326353
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This route is described as very difficult. It does not present any technical difficulties apart from perhaps the section with the chain. I would say that it is more suited to fairly fit walkers, particularly when it comes to climbing the rocks. It is quite demanding on the thighs and cardio fitness. The final climb is also challenging, not in terms of difficulty but physically. Make sure you take plenty of water with you.

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User 26581181

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done with our 13- and 15-year-old children and our dog, taking just under 5 hours including breaks.
the first part was quite technical
the second part was easier going and shaded, which was welcome given the heat of the day.
Very pretty route with beautiful views.
Signposting was fine

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User 19205325

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A great hike, but quite challenging. It took us 7 hours with two athletic teenagers, but it was nearly 14 km.
But the route and the scenery are magical!

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samy45
samy45

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A very fine route, but only for experienced hikers who are used to the mountains and not prone to vertigo. The outward journey via the alpine variant of the GR20 is magnificent but very strenuous, while the return via the normal GR20 route is pleasant but interminable.

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Mu&Jp-du-Jura
Mu&Jp-du-Jura

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful walk with breathtaking views.
However, it should only be done if the weather is clear.
Sporty, with a fairly steep start, but apart from the short section on the slab equipped with a chain, we're still trying to work out why it's classed as "very difficult".

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Other walks in the area

Walking Col de Bavella: "U Cumpuleddu" (The Bomb Hole)

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This hike will take you to "U Cumpuleddu", more commonly known as "Trou de la Bombe" (Bomb Hole), a geological formation caused by erosion. The route also offers beautiful views of the Aiguilles de Bavella mountain range. Much of the hike takes place under the cover of Laricio pine trees.

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This loop allows you to visit the various remarkable points of the southern Bavella massif (Velacu massif), including Punta Velacu, the Promontory, the Campanile de Sainte-Lucie, the tafonu di u Cumpuleddu (incorrectly called "trou de la bombe" or "bomb hole"), the belvedere and the chapel, through the forest and rocky peaks. Magnificent views of the ravines of Punta Velacu and Calanca Murata, all with less than 500 m of elevation gain.

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↔15.32 km ↗+646 m ↘-646 m ◔6h 15 ▲Moderate
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The Three Villages Trail offers a beautiful day's hike. Passing mainly through the Mare à Mare, this route allows you to discover authentic villages in the Alta Rocca region (Quenza, Serra di Scopamena and Sorbollano). You will follow connecting paths once used by locals to travel from village to village.

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