Short circular loop around Ponticellu

It’s fairly easy to park near Saint-Clément Church, on the left as you come down from the hill.

(S/E) Facing the cemetery, turn right and cross the D232 with care. Take the path opposite, which runs through some old gardens, to reach Orneto via a flight of steps leading to the foot of a large fortified tower. Go round the lower side of the tower, then follow the road downhill for about fifty metres.

(1) Turn right, just below the retaining wall of the garden surrounding a very large house: the blue signposting is rather inconspicuous. Quite soon, the path winds through the undergrowth, with a small, restored fountain on the right. Continue along this path (which is sometimes quite rutted by wild boar) until you reach a cluster of houses. Turn left, then very quickly right to follow the narrow, sunken street leading towards the town hall. Behind the town hall, near the nursery school, go straight on along a path which, after a final bend to the left, leads out onto the main road. Then turn right and continue uphill to cross the Ruisseau d’Olmo.

(2) Immediately afterwards, take the steps on the right, which lead onto a footpath. Return to the road and follow it to the right until you reach the hairpin bends about 300 m away. At the second bend, take the small road on the left, which quickly becomes a fairly stony path that descends beneath the chestnut trees towards the valley floor.

(3) Cross the magnificent Genoese bridge, with a large pool below that’s perfect for a swim: be careful, it’s deep. The walk then continues through the woodland, mainly at the bottom of the valley to begin with and without difficulty, until you reach a spot which, when the streams are flowing, can be a bit tricky: you’ll need to wade across over slippery stones – a rope has been put in place to help. Carry on through the scrubland along the steeply cut path that climbs the hill, then descends into the woodland where there is a magnificent cork oak that’s not to be missed. You’ll reach a junction at a hairpin bend.

(4) Follow the path to the right carefully to head towards the village: a Blue Cross indicates that you should not take the path leading back to the tricky section via the valley floor. Following the path along the riverbank, you’ll reach the second Genoese bridge.

(5) The walk continues along the same bank and leads to the ford, 300 metres downstream. Cross the stream and then a very old olive grove to reach the foot of the bell tower at Saint-Clément (S/E).

This walk was undertaken in September 2026 in very dry weather (though the water basin was full); it is likely to be quite different during wet weather, with slippery patches and fords.

This walk is largely inspired by the routes described and signposted by the municipality of Pietracorba (see here)

There are few shops in these hamlets; only one restaurant is open in the evening.

The walk is largely shaded, but do remember to take water with you.

Much of the route follows dirt tracks or roads; however, there are a few stony sections which are likely to be slippery in wet weather, so suitable footwear is recommended.

(3) Genoese bridge and swimming pool.