Soccia at Lake Creno

One of the most beautiful hikes in Corsica. The path is pleasant, with part of it in the woods. The arrival at the lake is a magical moment. The lake appears in a setting, even if there are a few people around, the place is conducive to quiet conversation.
A very beautiful place for a picnic.

Details

56665
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.02 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,004 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 997 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,347 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,376 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Soccia (20125)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 42.19554° / E 8.917968°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 4251OT, 4251OTR
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

You can start from several places: from the village of Soccia (take the road then the path at the first bend in the road or from the car park which you reach via the road (be careful, the road is very narrow and it is difficult to pass other vehicles, but fortunately people go up in the morning and come down in the afternoon. The car park is very busy, so arrive early).
Take the path at the top of the car park (signposted) and follow it until it forms a Z (1). On the right, the path leads to the summit of Monte San Eliseo and Orto, but we turn left towards Lake Créno.
You will reach the lake via a path through the woods. Walk around the lake, which is like a garden.
Behind the hut, a path leads to Monte San Eliseo. On the left of the lake, the path leads to the Manganu refuge (GR®20).
The return journey is in the opposite direction (you can return to Soccia (or the car park) by taking the path via Orto (signposted on the descent).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,376 ft
  2. 1 : mi 1.05 - alt. 4,091 ft
  3. S/E : mi 4.02 - alt. 3,376 ft

Notes

No shelter, no water, but the path is fairly shaded in places.

Worth a visit

Complete the loop via the village of Orto (climbing cliff).

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

4.7 / 5
Based on 48 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Mantachr
Mantachr

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

You reach the lake via a long uphill climb. Once you arrive, the peace and tranquillity are a real treat. At this time of year, the water lilies are in bloom and look absolutely stunning. The walk back downhill is easier.

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User 29642234

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A great hike

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User 3834068

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lake Créna is peaceful, relaxing, cool and absolutely beautiful – we stayed for a few hours to enjoy the beauty, the peace and the cool air! A lovely walk

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mikelitos
mikelitos

Thank you for your comment. Indeed, the fires have undoubtedly changed the landscape. I haven't been back since writing the description.
Enjoy your hikes.
Pascale

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Odette84240
Odette84240

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did part of the return journey along the path that leads to Orto and passes along the ridges, which is very pretty and offers a beautiful view of the village of Soccia.
Then you have to follow the cairns and not continue towards Orto when you reach the cross. Do not take the path that branches off to the left. With a GPS, it is easy to find the right direction.

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User 27548945

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant hike, but the lake is nothing special

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jpierre92
jpierre92

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with stunning scenery. A narrow, steep road leads to the car parks. The path to the lake is quite steep in places and very rocky. The lake isn't very big but it's very peaceful (at least it was when we did the hike). Be sure to walk around it to enjoy the beautiful mountain views. Make sure you wear good walking shoes.

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User 19892418

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Very beautiful hike. There were a lot of cars in the car park but, contrary to our fears, there weren't many people on the trail. The lake is indeed very beautiful and the water lilies were in bloom: magnificent! We then climbed up to the pass to the little chapel. The climb is steep. It took us 30 minutes to reach the chapel. It is currently undergoing restoration work, so we couldn't go inside, and the workers had set up camp all around it, so we didn't stay long so as not to disturb them.
The return trip along the path from the chapel was easy and deserted.

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Joel Lisimaque
Joel Lisimaque

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant hike.
Several opportunities to stop in the shade. A slightly damp section over a few hundred metres.
Beautiful view of the canyon.
The arrival at the lake is very beautiful. Peaceful, sheltered spot, ideal for a picnic. The water lilies were in bloom in mid-June.
We didn't have the energy to climb up to the Sant'Eliseu chapel, which towers 200 metres above the lake.
Very beautiful glacial lake.

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Cantalou06800
Cantalou06800

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easy walk for a picnic around a magnificent lake, with plenty of shade. The route is short uphill and not very shady except at the end. Crossing the village of Soccia is very difficult, as half the road has been dug up to rebuild the water pipes, with metal bollards posing a major risk to tyres if you drive over them, according to a local who drives a large 4×4. The road that doesn't go through the village is closed on the way back. I didn't try it on the outward journey.

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alchusky44
alchusky44

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Carried out at the end of November, I saw fewer than 10 hikers and 4 cars in the car park.
Perfect for those who like peace and quiet.
It was a great walk that only took me 2 hours round trip, without a rest stop.
Despite the big blue sky, there were still some frozen puddles around 1pm, which required a bit of attention.

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harmonobe
harmonobe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice hike with the highlight being the lake that reveals itself in the middle of the forest. situated at an altitude of 1300m, it requires a bit of walking uphill but is fairly easy to do. you can return to the starting point by the same route or take a variation via the pass above. the route is not very well marked but you can find it by following the trail on visorando.
A good time with a lunch stop in front of this marvellous protected lake.
If you want to have a rest by the water, you can follow the path that follows in front of the donkeys and along the gorge, where refreshing natural pools can end a beautiful day.

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mikelitos
mikelitos

Hello Sebp,
Thank you for your comment. We loved this walk and at the end of the climb we discovered the magical lake with all its water lilies. One of the most beautiful lakes in Corsica.
Bonne rando

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sebp
sebp

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We enjoyed the walk with our children, aged 5 and 9, without any problems. I recommend setting off early to avoid the heat on the way down. The lake is very pleasant for a picnic. I won't advertise it, but it's possible to hire a donkey at the start for a child (very friendly owner) and a straw hut where you can have a drink on the way back at no extra cost (cheaper than in the valley!). In short, it's a great place for a family hike.

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Mathieu82
Mathieu82

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

Just follow the signs for the lake, as the road after the village is long and narrow. But at the end, 2 car parks await you.
Then just follow the only path. Very easy to follow. It's not difficult, it climbs a little and at the end there's a pretty little lake. A few picnic tables. And on the way back, cool off in the natural pools (around Vicco).

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