The Bitalza Sheepfolds at the start of the Col de Colombanu

This fairly challenging but well-shaded walk offers magnificent views of the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio and the Sotta Valley. The sheepfolds at Bitalza are well worth a visit.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.65 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 728 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 728 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,054 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 340 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Sotta (20146)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 41.573404° / E 9.157334°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 4254ET, 4254OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

From the D59 linking Sotta to Levie, take the road leading to the village of Borivoli. Drive through the village, heading towards the Col de Colombanu. Park in the dirt car park at the pass.

(S/E) Take the path at the far end of the car park, heading towards Bergerie de Bitalza and Funtanedda. Following the yellow markings, begin a fairly steep climb and, after a few hundred metres, reach an orientation table.

(1) Continue first along a gentle slope before the path becomes much steeper over occasionally uneven terrain, eventually reaching Bocca di Puzza.

(2) Continue to the left to begin a series of hairpin bends and join a track suitable for vehicles.

(3) Cross it and, a few metres further on, rejoin it. Cross this track again to take the yellow-marked path opposite. Continue on and, via an easier climb, reach a crossroads.

(4) Take the wide, flat and pleasant path opposite. Pass by a gate to enter the grounds of the Bergeries de Bitalza.

(5) Walk around this small plateau, passing the Statue of Our Lady of the Assumption and the houses of this picturesque old village. Stay on the yellow-marked path. You will reach a wider track near a cistern.

(6) Turn right onto this track, then return to the crossroads you passed earlier.

(4) Head straight ahead and continue downhill. After a very wide hairpin bend to the left, you’ll reach a junction marked by two cairns.

(7) Continue along the path on the right, down a long, often rough descent through the forest, sometimes obstructed by vegetation, until you reach the Col de Bucagaraccia.

(8) Continue the descent until you reach the hamlet of Vacca.

(9) Turn left onto the road, follow it and you will reach the Col de Colombanu car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 366 m - Col de Colombanu car park
  2. 1 : km 0.46 - alt. 451 m - Orientation table
  3. 2 : km 1.33 - alt. 602 m - Bocca di Puzza
  4. 3 : km 2.71 - alt. 920 m - Vehicle track
  5. 4 : km 3.37 - alt. 1,011 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  6. 5 : km 4.06 - alt. 1,039 m - Bitalza
  7. 6 : km 4.57 - alt. 1,009 m - Track and cistern
  8. 7 : km 5.55 - alt. 972 m - Crossroads of the 2 cairns
  9. 8 : km 7.16 - alt. 580 m - Col de Bucagaraccia
  10. 9 : km 8.42 - alt. 391 m - Vacca
  11. S/E : km 10.65 - alt. 366 m - Col de Colombanu car park

Worth a visit

(1) Information board offering a first remarkable view of the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio and Sotta.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
jpg13490
jpg13490

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

The climb takes place entirely in the forest, and the clear views only appear upon arrival, where you discover beautiful sheepfolds, often somewhat hidden in the vegetation

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Prisca77
Prisca77

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We had a great time on this fairly strenuous hike, both uphill and downhill, but the sheepfolds are worth seeing, as are all the magnificent views.

It was very hot that day, so we appreciated the shaded sections. Remember to take enough water for this 5-hour hike.

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Guyt06
Guyt06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A lovely walk along pleasant, shaded paths
Presents no technical difficulties
Point to note: make sure you spot the cairn before the descent

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Vianney b
Vianney b

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hello,
My girlfriend and I went hiking on this trail at the end of September.
The descent is a far cry from the quality of the ascent: no signposting, the path is barely maintained, and there is a risk of slipping and falling. However, the ascent is well signposted despite its length and the number of hairpin bends
The sheepfolds are worth the climb, but I would recommend taking the ascent route down.

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dim021
dim021

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike we went on today as a family with our two children, aged 12 and 14.
We set off at 6.00 am to make the most of the cool air during the climb up to the sheepfold.
The climb presented no particular difficulties; it is well shaded and the yellow markings are clearly visible.
The sheepfold is a beautiful and very peaceful spot, the ideal place to stop and have breakfast.
There are no markings on the descent, but there is no risk of getting lost.
The two cairns at point 7 are clearly visible and the descent follows a single path down to the road. There are a few sunny sections, but these are few and far between.
The return journey by road is more monotonous but unavoidable.
There are numerous vantage points offering views of the coast from Porto Vecchio to Bonifacio.
Well worth a visit if you’re in the area.

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