Punta di Ficaghiola

This is a moderately difficult circular route, but you will need to wear suitable footwear. Two-thirds of the route is uphill, and the descent is a little "leg-breaking" and requires caution. You will find yourself in the heart of the Bonifatu massif, where the views are sublime. You can take in the landscapes at the start ofthe GR®20with views of the Ortu di u piobbu and Carrozzu mountain huts.

Details

35962641
Creation:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.42 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 558 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 560 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,041 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 491 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
    Areas: Balagne,
  • ⚐ District: Calenzana (20214)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 42.442659° / E 8.854821°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 4149OT, 4250OT, 4250OTR
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Bonifatu Forest House car park, which charges €5 during the season in 2023.

(S/E) Head south, reach Figarella and follow it on your left. On this first section, take the path leading to the Carrozzu refuge. The path remains wide and leads to a crossroads in about twenty minutes.

(1) Ignore the path to the Carrozzu refuge on your right and take the ford on the left. Depending on the water level, this can be tricky and pose a real difficulty. After crossing the ford, walk along the Mélaghia stream, still on your left. The climb is gentle and there is always shade. There is a beautiful view of the ridges on the opposite bank.

(2) Ignore the path on the left that crosses the stream and continue straight ahead.

(3) Cross the stream. The climb becomes steeper but the path is not uneven. You will reach the junction with the path that leads to the right to the Ortu di u Piobbu refuge, which is the easternmost point of the circular route and marks the return.

(4) Turn left. This section offers the most beautiful views of the massif. You will find yourself perched high above and far from the clamour of the river bathers. The highest point of the circular route is reached halfway along this section. Continue to the next junction.

(5) Go straight ahead to begin the "leg-breaking" descent. The route remains very shaded. At the end of the route, a rope bridge crosses the river and takes you back to the bottom of the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 524 m - Forest house car park - parking forêt de Bonifato
  2. 1 : km 1.45 - alt. 617 m - Crossroads, ford
  3. 2 : km 2.51 - alt. 738 m - Junction
  4. 3 : km 3.54 - alt. 842 m - Crossing the stream
  5. 4 : km 4.88 - alt. 964 m - Intersection, on the left
  6. 5 : km 7.15 - alt. 915 m - Descent
  7. S/E : km 9.42 - alt. 522 m - Forest house car park - parking forêt de Bonifato

Worth a visit

On the way back, you can swim in the Figarella pools.

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.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
acgmkg
acgmkg

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike with two-thirds uphill, so moderately steep and not very strenuous. Beautiful views. The descent is fairly steady and rocky, so good footwear is a must. But it is not particularly difficult. The app makes it easy to follow the route.

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User 11901240

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike that met our expectations.

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Lerocher
Lerocher

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

For a workout this Sunday morning, enjoy a beautiful hike with a shaded climb and a descent that takes you to stunning viewpoints. A lovely hike that takes 4½ hours (not including stops).
Don't hesitate to enjoy a refreshing dip under the footbridge, where the cool water will soothe your calves...

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User 26566934

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good app. The estimated time is accurate and the directions are easy to follow with a real-time map of your route. Perfect for managing your time. I recommend it and have shared the app with other hikers.

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Moune57
Moune57

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. Magnificent views. Easy because it's a gentle climb and descent. Rocky, of course, but like most hikes in Corsica! You just need good shoes. We did it in mid-June. The temperatures were over 30 degrees and we really appreciated the coolness of the forest. At level 4, we made the round trip to the Ortu di u piobbu refuge (1 hour 50 minutes of climbing in the forest) to finish the circuit as normal.

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chalbos
chalbos

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Third hike in this area, which is worth discovering for its mountainous environment.
A hike undertaken in early May, leaving from the car park at 9.45 a.m. and returning at 1.45 p.m.
May offers pleasant temperatures, abundant vegetation and flora, and few visitors.
The start on the wide track is just an easy warm-up. The ford is now only a quarter of its former width, but you can cross it thanks to the large boulders. The climb is then very pleasant, with plenty of shade and an easy path.
At point 4, leave the path that goes up to the refuge. The trail follows the contour lines and offers beautiful views of the two valleys and peaks. Stop for lunch at point 5, the highest point of the route (1,000 metres), with views of the sea and Calvi.
The 60-70 minute descent starts off on a good path, but the final section is completely shaded and a little more challenging.
All in all, a beautiful hike. You can also explore the Carruzzo refuge hike and the Spasimata footbridge.
Bernard

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LeGarsAlex
LeGarsAlex

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
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, fairly easy in itself, but bear in mind that you need to wear good shoes and take at least something to drink with you. We did it in 32⁰ heat, and the end was tough, but the second part is really beautiful and, above all, the peace and quiet are impressive!

Note that parking was free (07/2024).

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JacquesWaller
JacquesWaller

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The climb in general and the descent after joining the small Ficaghiola circular are on a very stony path.
However, the section along the hillside after point 4 and even the supposedly difficult descent (5) are very beautiful and typical of a Corsican trail (only the end is difficult).

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