The Orticheta Stream walk from Santu-Petru to San-Gavinu

Route direction starting from Santu-Petru, get there by road:

• coming from Bastia via the D82: reach the Col de Santu-Stefanu and continue on the D82. At Oletta, at the D82/D38 junction, continue towards Saint-Florent for 1 km. At the junction, turn left onto the D262, Strada-di-Padula, to Santu-Petru.
• Coming from Bastia via the D81: reach the Col de Teghime then follow the D38 to the junction with the D82 at Oletta. Continue on the D82 towards Saint-Florent for 1 km. At the junction, turn left onto the D262, Strada-di-Padula, to Santu-Petru.
• Coming from Saint-Florent: take the D82 towards Oletta, Strada-di-Piaghja, for 6 km. At the junction, turn right onto the D262, Strada-di-Padula, to Santu-Petru.

In the village, park in the car park of the Church of Saint-Jean – Chapel of the Penitents of the Holy Cross.

(S/E) Leave the grounds of the Church of Saint-Jean – Chapel of the Penitents of the Holy Cross, turn left and head up E Tese.

(1) At the first junction, turn right onto U Poghju then continue along Corsu. After the town hall, rejoin the E Tese path and follow it to the right until you reach the Piana district.

(2) In Piana, at the chapel, take the path on the right to reach Funtana di l'Olmo. Above the fountain, look for the mosaic wall sign indicating other walks. Follow the signs for San-Bernardino, heading uphill to the right via U Pighjolu.

(3) Leave U Pighjolu at the last houses in the hamlet. Continue to the right along the local path to the Col de San-Bernardino.

(4) At the pass, take the path branching off to the left, heading south, following the “Red/White” marker tape. Continue until you cross the Ruisseau d’Orticheta stream.

(5) Cross the stream, pass the Mulinu di l'Onda further on and continue straight ahead to the first houses in the Chiesa de San Gavinu district.

(6) From the Chiesa district, head down the village road. After the Church of San-Gavinu, leave the road to the right and, at Casa Griscia, follow the communal path with its dry stone walls. At the lowest point, you will reach the D62 road (Strada di San Gavinu).

(7) Turn left onto the D62 (Strada di San Gavinu) and then, at the next junction, head down to the right along the Strada di l'Annunziata. You will arrive lower down at the Cappella di l'Annunciata (enclosed, private property).

(8) Before the enclosure of the Cappella di l'Annunciata, turn left following the yellow paint markings. Continue following the red and white barrier tape markings. Head down the path on the left leading to the lowest point and cross the Ruisseau d'Orticheta again. Climb back up to the first houses in the Vezzi district.

(9) At the first houses, leave the path and follow the Chjassu di l'Accinca track. Continue along Chjassu di l'Accinca then turn left onto U Chjassu, a path that ends with a flight of steps. At the top, rejoin the D62 road (Strada di Purraghja).

(10) On the D62, cross with care. Head right, keeping to the left-hand side of the road, to quickly reach the junction at E Tese

(11) Turn left onto E Tese and, after a few metres, you will reach the church grounds (S/E).

Route from San Gavinu, access by road:

• Head to Santu-Petru and continue on the D62 to San-Gavinu. At the entrance to the village, after the Amandolello-Strada di a casa cumuna junction, turn left onto Strada di l'Annunziata.
• Drive down to the Cappella di l'Annunciata and park nearby.
• Start the route at point no. 8 in this description.

Signposting: yellow paint, specific markings for “day walks and hikes” + red and white barrier tape + cairns.

Signage: wooden signs + street names in the villages.

Permanent instruction: whatever their condition when you pass through, please close any gates you encounter along the route.

Water points

(1) Fountain a few metres to the left of the junction.

Fountain between (1) and (2), before the E Tese junction.

Between (2) and (3), the Funtana di l'Olmo at the U Pighjolu junction – low flow in summer.

(6) fountain in the Chiesa district, opposite San-Gavinu Town Hall.

After (7), a fountain at the junction of Strada di San Gavinu and Strada di l'Annunziata.

Between (8) and (9), via a short detour, the Vitricione fountain.

Shelters:none on the nature trail

At Santu-Petru

• (S/E) Arched passageway between St John’s Church and the Chapel of the Penitents of the Holy Cross.
• Shops: 1 shop on Strada di Purraghja, D62 road (10) + 1 shop between (1) and the Poggio district, just before the town hall.

In San Gavinu

• 1 shop on Strada di San Gavinu, near the junction with Stradda di l'Annunziata.

(S/E)Saint John’s Church and Chapel of the Penitents of the Holy Cross.

Between (1) and (2), village centre – main street – shop and town hall.

Between (2) and (3): Funtana di l'Olmo.

Bocca di San Bernardinu, viewpoints.

(5) Orticheta Stream Canyon.

Between (5) and (6): Mulinu di l'Onda, an old mill with a well-preserved structure. The roof is missing. To be viewed from the outside only for safety reasons.

Between (6) and (7): fountain, town hall and San-Gavinu Church at the top of the village. Casagriggia district, a lovely local footpath leading to the D62.

(7) Shops

(8) The Cappella di L'Annunciata is in perfect condition.

(9) At the start of Chjassu di l'Accinca: honey and olive oil producers.

(10) Shops