Russulinu Footbridge

de fr

Starting from Corte, very close to the citadel, this legendary trail winds its way through the Tavignanu Valley. This hike, which is not particularly difficult but is best suited to experienced walkers, follows the old mule track that runs alongside the river and offers spectacular views of the wild gorges. It also forms part of the Mare a Mare Nord, one of the routes offered by the Corsican Regional Nature Park. Here you’ll discover unspoilt nature where the maquis is in full bloom and fragrant in spring, and where beautiful sculpted granite rocks delight climbing enthusiasts. At the footbridge, the river offers a peaceful spot, perfect for swimming in summer and ideal for a well-deserved picnic.

Details

n°69583574
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.52 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,739 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,722 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,575 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,480 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Corte (20250)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 42.308646° / E 9.146591°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 4250OT, 4250OTR, 4251OT, 4251OTR
  • Hour-by-hour weather
    Discover Visorando Premium
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

The Rossulinu footbridge
Rossulinu footbridge

Description of the walk

The starting point is not far from the Citadel ofCorte. Look out for a terrace at the bend at the end of the car park, which offers a lovely view over the Tavignanu Valley.

(S/E) To the right of this terrace, the path begins near the sign for "Refuge A Sega". A few metres further on, push open the makeshift gate which leads onto the rest of the path towards La Madunina.

(1) You’ll reach a rest area called A Madonina (where there’s a statue of the Virgin Mary) and the Ficaghjola stream. A small fountain offers a chance to cool off (it may run dry during periods of intense heat). Follow the orange-marked path for about 3 km to reach Antia.

(2) At the little house in Antia and its eponymous stream, continue along this path, which climbs for 10 minutes, to reach a rocky outcrop offering a lovely view. Be careful not to get too close to the edge!

(3) Follow the path to the right. The footbridge is about 1.3 km away. 

(4) You arrive at the Russulinu Footbridge. The spring, clearly visible, is close to the footbridge. During the summer season, this spot is ideal for swimming in the river. Return to the starting point by following the route in reverse (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,493 ft - Sign for the A Sega Refuge
  2. 1 : mi 1.02 - alt. 1,804 ft - Ficaghjola Stream / Madunina
  3. 2 : mi 2.09 - alt. 2,001 ft - Casetta d'Antia
  4. 3 : mi 2.94 - alt. 2,382 ft - Viewpoint
  5. 4 : mi 3.75 - alt. 2,487 ft - Russulinu spring and footbridge
  6. S/E : mi 7.52 - alt. 1,493 ft - Sign for the A Sega Refuge

Notes

The yellow sign points to A Sega (Refuge). This is the starting point for hikes in the Tavignanu Valley. "A Sega" is one of the stages of the Mare A Mare Nord route (a 5½-hour walk). 

During the summer season, don’t forget to bring your swimming costume, a packed lunch, a large bottle of water, and walking poles, which will come in handy on the descent to the river.

Worth a visit

-Tavignano Gorges

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
virgule
virgule

the back converted into a public toilet

That alone is enough to put me off going. It spoils the whole walk for me.

The same is true in the Vosges mountains, where the backs of the mountain huts have been turned into open-air toilets. We won’t blame the ‘tourists’ because it’s far from everything, so it must be the work of seasoned hikers.

I gauge how busy a route is – even on weekdays – by the amount of rubbish littering the paths.

I prefer a place that’s a bit less scenic but less crowded – and therefore cleaner. In the Vosges, that means taking the unmarked trails, which are unfortunately few and far between. In the Montagne de Reims, few trails are marked, and it’s inevitably much cleaner. I get the feeling that many hikers have a very strong herd instinct.

Machine-translated

F8DHA
F8DHA
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very lovely walk, presenting no difficulties apart from its length. It is a well-marked mule track signposted in orange; there is no climbing involved. The first fountain was working well with a good flow, whilst the one by the bridge had only a trickle of water.
At point 2, at Antia’s house, a sight to behold in all its ‘splendour’: the back has been turned into a public toilet , please do take your rubbish away with you – it’s a blight on the landscape and harmful to the environment.
At the bridge, there are some lovely pools for swimming.

Machine-translated

Monique Schmitt
Monique Schmitt

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike I did in May – lovely weather, stunning scenery; you really must walk all the way to the footbridge, where the landscape really comes into its own. An absolute must-see from Corte, even if it’s just a day trip

Machine-translated

yvesetnicolerando
yvesetnicolerando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike with a thousand facets. Done in early June, the valley on the way back down is magnificent and multicoloured. The plateau with its horses and pigs is enchanting, with the sound of the stream and its small waterfalls. The rest is silence. Not to be missed.

Machine-translated

MaGre
MaGre

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We went hiking at the end of April in mixed weather, so there weren't many people on the trail. The footbridge itself is not particularly interesting, but the location is very pleasant. It must be lovely to swim here in summer! On the way back, we turned off onto a fairly steep path (which would undoubtedly be very slippery in wet weather) to rejoin the path along the river (signposted "baignade Tavignanu" at the start of the hike).
Two hours there and two hours back, walking at a good pace with a few photo stops.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking The Antia circular loop

Tourist office
La boucle d'Antia
↔4.71 mi ↗+968 ft ↘-958 ft ◔3h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Corte (Haute-Corse)
This circular route starts on the Mare a Mare Nord trail and allows you to return near the Tavignanu River. You will discover wonderful swimming spots, including Lake Antia, which offers a 40-metre swim, just a few metres off the trail.

Walking Corsica Stage 1: Corte to the Refuge de Sega

Visorando Member
La Corse Etape 1: Corte au Refuge de Sega
↔7.68 mi ↗+3,271 ft ↘-951 ft ◔6h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Corte (Haute-Corse)
First stage of the hike from Corte to the sea, at Marine de Porto. This first day is a steady climb up to the Refuge de A Sega.

Walking Corsica between the mountains and the sea

Visorando Member
La Corse entre Montagne et Mer
↔50.04 mi ↗+11,854 ft ↘-13,110 ft ◔6 days ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Corte (Haute-Corse)
This hike is a variation (in terms of the route and starting point) of the Mare à Mare Nord. We set off from Corte, a very pretty town, and arrived at the Gulf of Porto. We stopped at the Refuge de Sega, the Gite d'Albertacce, the Col de Vergio (where we stayed for two days to explore Lake Nino) and Evisa before arriving in Porto.

Walking Arcu di u Scandulaghiu or the Arch of Corte

Visorando Member
Arcu di u Scandulaghiu ou l'Arche de Corte
↔5.48 mi ↗+3,602 ft ↘-3,583 ft ◔5h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Corte (Haute-Corse)
The Arche de Corte or Arche de Padule (referring to the sheepfolds located higher up) or Arcu di Scandulaghiu (in Corsican) is a granite sculpture located at an altitude of 1,500 metres, overlooking the Tavignano valley. The Arche is located between the citadel of Corte and the Calacuccia dam.

Walking From Corte to the Chjarasgiolu footbridge via Punta di Zurmulu

Tourist office
↔2.65 mi ↗+1,762 ft ↘-1,542 ft ◔2h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Corte (Haute-Corse)
U chjassu di ZurmuluThis walk, which is shaded for the first part, takes you to Punta di Zurmulu from Corte.This small peak offers a panoramic view of the town, overlooking the citadel and the two valleys. On a clear day, you can even see the sea in the distance!The second section takes you to the Chjarasgiolu footbridge in the Restonica Valley.From this point, if you wish, you can then take the San Teofalu route (+ 2½ hours’ walk) to complete a circular route to the Chapel of Saint Anthony in Corte.

Walking From Corte to the Chjarasgiolu footbridge via Punta di u Corbu

Tourist office
De Corte à la passerelle de Chjarasgiolu par la Punta di u Corbu
↔2.62 mi ↗+1,480 ft ↘-1,289 ft ◔2h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Corte (Haute-Corse)
U Chjassu di San Teofalu A lovely walk starting from the Saint Antoine chapel in Corte, offering beautiful views of the town and the surrounding area.

Walking Gorges du Tavignano and the Rossolinu footbridge

Visorando Member
Gorges du Tavignano et la Passerelle de Rossolinu
↔10.06 mi ↗+2,211 ft ↘-2,201 ft ◔6h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Corte (Haute-Corse)
The Tavignano Valley is one of Corsica's most beautiful mountain valleys. It offers a deep, rocky gorge with numerous pools, and above all, the valley is a hiker's kingdom. From Corte, only a well-preserved old mule track leads into the wild Tavignano Gorge. At the Passerelle di u Russulinu, you'll find pools in the torrent, guaranteed to cool you down in hot weather like this year (2017).

Walking Restonica Gorges to Tuani

Visorando Member
Gorges de la Restonica jusqu'à Tuani
↔5.60 mi ↗+1,148 ft ↘-1,135 ft ◔3h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Corte (Haute-Corse)
An accessible and refreshing hike in the heart of the Restonica Gorges. The trail, almost entirely shaded, immerses you in a magnificent setting: cliffs, forests and spectacular panoramas follow one another along the way. And to top off the experience, natural pools ideal for a refreshing swim await you.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.