Rapale walks

Created on the initiative of the municipalities of Rapale, Pieve and Sorio, the ‘Between the Profane and the Sacred’ route passes through these three beautiful villages of the Upper Nebbiu, which have showcased and preserved a heritage that is a must-see. Communal footpaths, mule tracks, Romanesque chapels, menhir statues, a church with an off-centre bell tower, plus a route through chestnut and oak woods, making it suitable for walking in all seasons. This description is not a copy-and-paste of the certified route but a variation split into two circular loops that follow the same routes. The idea is to make the route more accessible by reducing the distance and duration, thus allowing more time to explore the heritage. This is therefore the first circular loop.

The village of Murato invites you to discover a trail called Histoire de pierres et d'eau (History of Stones and Water). It is a tourist circuit between village and nature where you can discover Murato Supranu (upper part of the village) and Murato Sottanu. You will pass through narrow streets, old houses, churches, chapels, fountains, pagliaghji (straw huts), wash houses and bread ovens. This route is not intended to be a long hike, but it has the merit of allowing you to discover the past and can be enjoyed by the whole family.

This is a beautiful family hike around an exceptional location. Both for the natural areas you pass through and the landscapes they offer, and for the history of the area and the preservation of its heritage. Or simply because of the quality of life that Muratu, in the Corsican language, offers its residents, whether permanent or temporary. This impression is confirmed by the condition of the buildings, from the old renovated ones to the more recent ones, as well as by the variety and quality of the shops. On the route, hikers will discover the plateaus to the south with their rich agricultural and pastoral past and the ruins of the recently restored San Frusulu chapel. After a short walk through the heights of the village of Piève, a descent through low scrubland leads to the banks of the small coastal river, the Bevincu, spanned by Genoese bridges. Finally, crossing the centre of the village provides an opportunity to appreciate Murato's important vernacular heritage.

Vallecalle occupies a strategic location among the villages of Haut Nebbiu.The proposed route takes hikers to Murato and then Rapale, with a return to Vallecalle made possible by the recent reopening of the Santo Pietro Vecchio mule track.In these places steeped in history, the pagliaghji (straw huts) bear witness to the intense agricultural and pastoral activity of the past. The number and quality of the Romanesque remains remind us of our ancestors' attachment to the sacred.The cool passages under oak and chestnut trees, then in the open, and the superb panoramic views complete the appeal of this route.The villages, rich in heritage monuments and crafts, are well worth a visit. Walking times should be reassessed accordingly.

What makes the municipalities covered by this hike unique is the length of their respective territories, each of which stretches all the way to the Agriate beaches.Coastal municipalities, certainly, but historically rural, since Santu Petru di-Tenda and San-Gavinu di-Tenda have been nestled since time immemorial in the foothills of the eponymous mountain range, where the majority of their population is concentrated. Here, the route allows you to explore these two remarkable towns via a circular route. As you walk along the old communal paths that still link them or through their respective narrow streets, you will linger at exceptional vantage points and feel the emotion evoked by the local natural and cultural heritage. * Please note: The natural conditions are conducive to hunting. You are advised to make yourself visible if you see a sign indicating ‘hunting in progress’ and must keep your pet on a lead.

This is a route with little elevation gain in the mountains above Rutali, ideal for a family walk. In the middle of the scrubland, there are arbutus trees, oaks and a few chestnut trees. You quickly find yourself isolated in wild nature at an altitude of 600 metres with views of the sea to the east and west. We are facing the base of Cap Corse.

This hike will allow you to admire the views of both seas.

A family hike of moderate difficulty, with some little-known points of interest that are well worth discovering. Unusual viewpoint over the two villages. * Alternative route starting from the village of Olmeta di Tuda. Car park at the entrance to the village.

With a suggested tour of the historic centre of Oletta, discover the narrow streets that have been completely renovated by the municipality but retain their old-world charm.There's no way to get lost: the lower and upper streets lead walkers back to Sant'Andria Church and Piaza Nova; from here or from the Muntaghjò steps (at the top of the village), the views are remarkable.As the communal paths and narrow streets are partially sheltered from the strong sunlight, this walk can be enjoyed in any season.Extension-Variation Visit to the Romanacce hamlet - 1 km round trip from point no. 3 Muntaghjò districtAs the Oletta Town Hall website states, "...even though the hamlet is no longer inhabited, it still lives on through the Miracle of the painting of the Virgin Mary that took place there in 1737".The story of the miracle is recounted on a panel at the entrance to the house where it took place, whichcan be visited free of charge, as can the adjoining Saint Anthony Chapel.

This hike between Poggio d'Oletta and Oletta was created by our association in March 2024 to honour the memory of the Poggiolese heroine Maria Ghjentile. In the spring of 2025, it underwent a significant and interesting change. Thanks to the joint efforts of the Grand Site de France "Conca d'Oru, vignoble de Patrimonio - Golfe de Saint-Florent" and the municipalities concerned, a new itinerary has been developed that is sure to meet the wishes of hikers.Two starting/finishing points are available, each with their own car park: the square in front of the former Saint François convent in Oletta and the car park at the town hall in Poggio d'Oletta. Information dated 3 September 2025: the change to the route between the town hall in Poggio and the church in Oletta proposed by our association avoids crossing and then following the Poggio-D38 road for 350 metres.

Au départ de l'ancien couvent Saint-François d'Oletta, voilà une très jolie randonnée en pleine nature, de caractère familial puisque sans difficulté et bien ombragée.Plusieurs points d'intérêt jalonnent ce circuit, et une belle fontaine, au deux tiers du parcours, permet de ne pas se charger en eau potable.Parking assuré, y compris les jours de marché qui se tient sur la place du couvent, chaque mardi et vendredi du 1er Juin au 30 Septembre, en matinée.

Oletta is undoubtedly one of Corsica's most photogenic villages. Its natural beauty, its location and the well-maintained monuments and buildings in general all contribute to this.But there is real interest in discovering our village from Mont Tuda, which also offers 360° views.The main points of interest on this route are the Fontaine Mersulaccia, the recently reopened communal footpaths, the Couvent Saint-François, the hamlet of Piedalbuccio and the heart of the village. "Tip: follow the route in order to climb Mont Tuda on its southern side, regardless of your chosen starting point (Municipal Car Park rt D38 or Saint François Convent rt D82)."

The Chjassu Maria Gentile is a pretty walking loop connecting the neighbouring villages of Poggio d'Oletta and Oletta. The route offers rich and varied landscapes: villages, scrubland, oak forests, streams... Its name is a tribute to Maria Gentile, a young heroine of the area who became a symbol of courage when, in 1769, at the age of just 20, she defied French soldiers who had sentenced the inhabitants of Oletta to death for plotting a conspiracy. Maria Gentile's fiancé, like his companions, was sentenced to death and executed without the right to a burial. Maria, refusing to abandon her fiancé's body, decided to defy the ban and, at nightfall, set out to recover it and give him a proper burial. Since then, Maria Gentile has been considered the Antigone of Corsica.

From the edge of the commune of Oletta, an old mule track leads to Saint-Florent via the plain. At its end stands the Cathedral of Nebbio, waiting to be discovered or rediscovered.After a short detour through the vineyards of the Patrimonio appellation, which offers a superb view of the gulf and the beginning of Cap Corse, hikers reach the town, its citadel and its port.The quays, once dedicated to fishing boats, are now home to the largest marina on the Isle of Beauty. Once you cross the Pont Neuf bridge over the Aliso, the renovated seawall and Roya beach reveal much more accessible attractions such as fishing and swimming.The return journey is via a rural communal path lined with shepherds' huts, known as pagliaghji, built from white Saint-Florent stone.

This hike takes you through part of the Agriates desert along the coastal path, from Saint-Florent to Loto beach, passing through picture-postcard landscapes.

This coastal hike allows you to explore this desert via a very pleasant trail and swim in idyllic coves.

This magnificent loop on the slopes of Monte Castellare offers breathtaking views of the neighbouring valleys, the plain of Bastia, Elba Island and, on a clear day, even the Italian coast. It alternates between wooded and open sections until you reach the summit at 1,000 metres, where a magnificent oak tree provides welcome shade for a picnic or a siesta. The descent takes you through the charming hamlet of Costa.

The Balcons trail, starting from the Belvédère de Barbaggio (downhill) or the RD238 (uphill), offers a nearly 10 km round trip with continuous views of the vineyards and the Conca d'Oru. It can also be taken as a one-way trip (5 km) by leaving a car at the end point and another at the starting point. Surrounded by scrubland, this trail offers remarkable views of the landscapes of the Grand Site de France Conca d'Oru, the Patrimonio vineyards, the Gulf of Saint-Florent and the limestone chain of Mont Sant'Anghjulu, whose six iconic hills are the visual signature of the area.