Monte Renoso and return via Lake Bastani

The ascent of Monte Renoso, the highest point in southern Corsica, offers a splendid view of Lake Bastani and the peaks of the northern part of the island (Monte d'Oro, Rotondo, Cardo, Paglia Orba and Monte Cinto).

On the way back, a short detour via a tricky descent will take you to the edge of Lake Bastani for a refreshing break.

Details

2461292
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.92 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 677 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 678 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,350 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,672 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the Ghisoni ski resort car park, next to the U Renosu lodge.

(S/E) Take the track that passes under the ski lift. Cross a small bridge and take the path that climbs slightly to the right above the main track.

Follow this path and pass over other ski lifts until you reach an intersection with a trail that climbs along a ridge.

(1) Climb up to the right, following this ridge with its many tracks. You will then arrive at a flat area. Cross a stream at the Source de Pizzolo and continue climbing to the left of this suspended plateau.

Continue until you reach the foot of a wide valley.

(2) The direct path to Lake Bastani climbs up to the left.
To go to Monte Renoso, continue straight ahead in the valley, following the cairns, then find the path to climb up to a junction where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the lake.

Continue straight ahead and climb up to the ridge near Punta Bacinello. Then turn left onto this wide ridge and continue to an intersection at a large cairn.

(3) Continue straight on towards Monte Renoso and follow the cairns that indicate a path to the left overlooking Lake Bastani to reach the summit. Use your hands to climb the last few metres to reach the summit cross and the Testa di Maure.

(4) Retrace your steps along the same route to the large cairn.

(3) Turn right onto a level path which then descends towards Lake Bastani in a narrow, slippery corridor. After a short section of careful downclimbing, you will quickly reach the lake.
If in doubt or concerned, see the practical information section.

(5) Walk along the lake for a few metres, then climb up to the left to join the path that winds downhill.

(2) Follow the same route as on the way up to reach the Ghisoni ski resort (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,673 m - Car park at the Ghisoni ski resort.
  2. 1 : km 0.52 - alt. 1,723 m - Trail intersection
  3. 2 : km 1.94 - alt. 2,044 m - Intersection at the foot of the valley
  4. 3 : km 3.02 - alt. 2,251 m - Large cairn intersection on the ridge
  5. 4 : km 3.57 - alt. 2,350 m - Monte Renoso
  6. 5 : km 4.62 - alt. 2,094 m - Lac+de+Bastani
  7. S/E : km 6.92 - alt. 1,672 m - Car park at the Ghisoni ski resort.

Notes

This hike is classified as difficult due to a tricky section on the descent to Lake Bastani between points (3) and (5).

It is possible to avoid this section by using the same route as on the ascent.

Worth a visit

Magnificent panorama once you reach the summit ridge.
On a clear day, you can see the sea on both sides of Corsica.

Swimming break possible at Lake Bastani.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 28005078

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Satisfactory, the site is very good.

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Lerocher
Lerocher

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike, beautiful views on both sides of Mount Renoso. Well worth the detour. The route is quite tough up to the Punta Bacinello plateau, but after that it's a piece of cake, even if you sometimes have to search for the right tracks without getting lost. The sky was clear when we climbed up, it was magnificent.
It's better to take the trail at the start rather than the ski slopes.

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BIBIjuju
BIBIjuju

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike not to be missed, incredible view from the summit and very pretty view of the lake on the way up with snow. As mentioned in the description, the return route is not well marked, so be careful if you come back this way.

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ID81360
ID81360

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike is magnificent and very quiet, unlike the Restonica. One downside: the hike starts on a ski slope with unstable scree, which is neither pleasant nor interesting. We recommend starting the hike from the stopover lodge, where there is a large car park and where you can take a well-maintained path. To do this, about 500 metres before reaching the Ghisoni resort, turn right at the fork.

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Phil05110
Phil05110

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I deliberately chose to go hiking out of season to avoid the crowds and, above all, the heat, and I got what I wanted.
There was a strong wind from start to finish. Warm clothing is highly recommended.
The hike is well marked, but you need to prepare for it in advance.
The view is magnificent.

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Grosaq
Grosaq

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I did the suggested route + the tour of the lake.
The weather was beautiful with a slight breeze.
The direction of the proposed circular is perfectly suitable.
However, it cannot be classified as difficult. There is no real descent.
Thank you for all your valuable information.
Cdrl

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Manu373
Manu373

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very enjoyable hike with magnificent scenery.
A breathtaking view at the summit and a very pleasant return trip via the lake.
The cairn markings are more or less accurate.
I downloaded the GPX file to my Garmin watch, and the route was spot on.

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cyr0726
cyr0726

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The landscapes are magnificent, especially the view of Lake Bastani from Mount Renoso.
I recommend taking the same route down to the lake as you took up Mount Renoso, as the direct descent is a little risky.
The tracks are not always visible, but fortunately there are many cairns. Download the map onto your phone to make the hike easier.

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Olivier20260
Olivier20260

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This is the Alpine version of the GR20, with breathtaking scenery. It's tough going, but well worth the detour.

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oponcin
oponcin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Film of the hike taken last August
Direct descent to the lake not recommended

https://youtu.be/rJvy13gzt4A

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Denis Penninckx
Denis Penninckx

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Although this hike is popular, the path is not that easy to find. It is only marked by cairns, which are too few in some places and too many in others. As a result, the path is poorly marked because it is divided into dozens of sub-paths in some places.
Furthermore, on the way back, I would advise against turning right at point 3. It is much better to take this path on the way there and take the longer route back down. The direct descent is dangerous!

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Huerga
Huerga

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike with magnificent views from the summit of Renoso. It's a shame that swimming is prohibited in Lake Bastany on the way back, only your feet... The start is a little austere from the ski slopes and the descent from Renoso directly to the lake is a little risky for less athletic hikers... the detour via the path up the hill isn't very long.
A superb day out.

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ploviso
ploviso

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike. There are too many tracks, but fortunately the cairns are there.

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