Les Pierres Plates and Les Bergeries de Tolla

de fr

A beautiful, easy hike along theGR®20. After the Bergeries de Tolla, the 500-metre-long granite slab at an altitude of around 1,100 metres is a wonderful place for a picnic and a nap. There are trees for shade. You need to walk about 50 metres to the left (uphill) ofthe GR®20to see the slab and the waterfalls.
The "hanging gardens" in the middle of the waterfalls are truly beautiful.

Details

n°4662860
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.50 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,509 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,499 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,753 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,346 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Vivario (20219)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 42.161712° / E 9.138379°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 4251OT, 4251OTR
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Photos

The flat stones
The ocelli at the top of the slab.
The top of the slab.
Almost at the top of the slab

Description of the walk

Park before Canaglia as the village is very small and you don't want to get in the way.

(S/E) Follow the track to the west.

(1) Turn right onto the Mare à Mare Nord variant, which runs alongside the Manganello stream: what beautiful pools. Go to the Meli waterfall and continue for about 200 metres.

(2) Cross the Manganello at the Tolla footbridge. Follow the GR®20north-west to the Bergeries de Tolla and beyond. Once past the Bergeries de Tolla, it takes 30 to 35 minutes of easy walking through the beautiful forest to reach the granite slab.

(3) Bottom of the granite slab. Leave theGR®20and climb about 50 metres. On the left is an ideal spot for a break, a swim, etc.

(4) Return via the same route to Canaglia (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,356 ft - Canaglia
  2. 1 : mi 0.33 - alt. 2,418 ft - Mare à Mare Nord variant
  3. 2 : mi 2.42 - alt. 3,084 ft - Tolla footbridge
  4. 3 : mi 3.83 - alt. 3,504 ft - Bottom of the granite slab
  5. 4 : mi 4.25 - alt. 3,753 ft - Streamside
  6. S/E : mi 8.5 - alt. 2,356 ft - Canaglia

Notes

As always, do not venture into the stream bed in the event of rain or thunderstorms, even if they are far away.
Walk: there is often shade.
You can have a drink or coffee at Bergeries de Tolla.
Remember to close the gates (for the livestock) when you pass through.

Worth a visit

Further up on theGR®20, before reaching the Petra Piana refuge, you will come across the Échelles de Gailgo. The path is probably a transhumance route: there are many retaining walls along the zigzagging path. At around 1,420 m, there are very jagged schist outcrops known as serre/vallats in the Cévennes.

We are on the lower variant ofthe GR®20because the upper variant between Petra Piana and Onda passes over the ridges and unfortunately avoids this wonderful granite slab.

The Manganello is a tributary of the Vecchio that passes under the Eiffel Bridge.

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

4.8 / 5
Based on 17 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
ROUX Bruno
ROUX Bruno

Good evening – yes, it does make me want to go back there. Thanks. Sorry about the 800 metres of tarmac road, but you have to work for it in Corsica.

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RV33
RV33

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The walk starts at the car park below, 800 metres away along a tarmac road – not great. The ‘village’ consists of two houses, one of which runs a bed and breakfast. There really are no parking spaces on the cul-de-sac apart from one or two reserved by the bed and breakfast for its guests (the restaurant was open for lunch when we passed by; we bought some inexpensive Corsican cheese produced on the premises). To find the granite slab, we stayed on the GR 20 as the route described took us towards the river – perhaps to approach it from below? Knowing that this gigantic slab is there, and looking to the left as you head up the GR 20 through a magnificent pine forest, you simply cannot miss it; there are beautiful natural pools all along the route, with a natural fountain on the slab itself.

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ROUX Bruno
ROUX Bruno

Hello, thank you for your quick reply

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Cucunella
Cucunella

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk of around 15 km there and back

You can park in the car park in the village of Canaglia. The path starts at the end of the village, at the cul-de-sac, and is very well signposted.

Throughout the walk, you’ll follow the Manganello stream and can cool off in some magnificent natural pools. About a third of the way along, don’t miss the lovely waterfall on your left.

Halfway along the route, you’ll reach the Tolla sheepfold, an ideal spot to top up your water supplies from the spring just opposite. You can also enjoy a bite to eat, sampling local cheese and cured meats.

Another thirty minutes or so through a beautiful pine forest and you’ll reach the Pierres Plates, with their superb pools and small waterfall.

A magnificent, accessible and particularly refreshing (natural pools) walk in summer!

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thybau
thybau

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

One of my favourite hikes in Corsica. The first section, up to the Meli waterfall, is admittedly a bit of a slog (especially on the way back). The path is very stony. But there are some lovely stretches above some beautiful pools.
From the waterfall to the Tolla sheepfold, it becomes more pleasant, with more lovely, inviting pools.
You then pass through an incredible forest of Laricio pines, which has an almost magical, very soothing atmosphere.
And the destination is well worth the effort, with a succession of small pools and little waterfalls. Don’t hesitate to walk up or down along the Manganellu around the ‘Pierres Plates’. Do take extreme care, however, especially if you have children with you!!

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ROUX Bruno
ROUX Bruno

Hello, thank you. Just like last year, it makes you want to go back during this third heatwave. Have a lovely stay.

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User 10186519

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with some beautiful natural pools where you can cool off. Do pop into the sheepfold to enjoy some platters of cold meats and cheese.

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ROUX Bruno
ROUX Bruno

Hello, thank you, that makes me want to go after this heatwave on the continent. Have a nice day

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ceros
ceros

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike. You can only start from Canaglia if you get there early. We arrived at 10:30 a.m. and there were no more spaces. So we parked in the car park by the Mulinello bridge.
This adds about 16 km to the hike.

We ate at the sheepfold. It was very pleasant in the shade. We then set off again on the fairly flat trail, which is very enjoyable after eating.
The flat rocks, pools and waterfalls are magnificent.
After a swim, we headed back down.
In Canaglia, we had a drink at one of the two bars there.

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ROUX Bruno
ROUX Bruno

Hello, thank you for your review. How lucky to be there! Enjoy yourselves!

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User 21813772

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A magnificent hike with breathtaking scenery. Very well signposted. This is part of the GR 20 trail.

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ROUX Bruno
ROUX Bruno

Hello, thank you for your review. It's a shame it's raining.
I discovered it while hiking the GR20 between Petra Piana and L'Ontaix via the lower route, which also has a sheep track higher up (if I remember correctly, it's called the Gialgo sheep ladder) with hairpin bends supported by beautiful dry stone walls. It's a shame that many people walking the GR20 via the lower route pass 50 metres from this beautiful slab and don't go near it. Enjoy your stay in Corsica

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LMDB
LMDB

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Thank you to the author for this superb hike. I can confirm that the route is indeed 16 km long.
We had wet conditions and some rocks were slippery. Hiking boots are highly recommended as some sections are rocky. The final stretch is simply magnificent.

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LeGarsAlex
LeGarsAlex

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The sheepfolds are not particularly interesting... but on the other hand, the flat rocks are truly surprising and magnificent! The route to get there is not always easy from the sheepfolds (beforehand, there are quite a few opportunities to swim in some beautiful natural pools), but you have to persevere to be properly rewarded at the end.

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Casellu
Casellu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

10 out of 10

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