Summit of Monte San Petrone in a circular route from Pie-d'Orrezza

This alternative route to Monte San Petrone from the village of Pie-d'Orezza is much more challenging, but also more beautiful than the classic route via the Col de Prato. At 1,767 metres, San Petrone is the highest peak in Castaniccia. The summit offers a remarkable 360° panorama. You will have a view of Cap Corse to the east coast, the whole of Castaniccia and the mountain range of the island's highest peaks. This hike can be classified as very difficult for hikers who are not used to fairly long distances and significant elevation gains. You can shorten it by avoiding the return trip to the summit of San Petrone from the Col de Bocca di San Pietro. Nevertheless, it will still be a very beautiful circular hike with varied landscapes and unobstructed views.

Details

n°87210354

Creation:
27 Oct 2025

Last update:
30 Dec 2025

Last review:
–

Activity: Walking
Distance: 9.10 mi
Average duration: 7h 40
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 3,960 ft
Descent: - 3,960 ft
Highest point: 5,778 ft
Lowest point: 2,047 ft

Country: France
City: Pie-d'Orezza (20229)
Start/End: N 42.373757° / E 9.354025°
IGN map(s): Ref. 4349OT, 4351OT
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Photos

Panoramic view of San Petrone from the Prato huts.

Panoramic view of the highest peaks in Corsica.

Description of the walk

From the centre of Folelli, take the D506 (Castagniccia Road). Follow the signs for Orezza, Stazzona, Piedicroce and Pie-d'Orezza. Park in the small car park on the side of the road near the village of Pie-d'Orezza.

(S/E) Continue on foot along the road towards the village.

(1) Just after the car park, takethe path on the right, which starts with a few steps. Climb towards the hamlet of Campodonico: follow the yellow and orange markings.

(2) Go through a gate and enter the village. At thefountain ,follow the sign for "Bocca Favalta 1h30". Go through a second gate and follow the sign for "San Petrone 2h45". You will come to a fork in the road.

(3) Leave the return path on your left and continue along the trail towards Col Bocca di San Pietro. At each intersection you encounter, follow the signs for San Petrone: orange markings. Take a short detour to the right to reach Funtana di Vallela è Trovulle.

(4) Retrace your steps and resume the ascent towards Col de Bocca di San Pietro.

(5) From the pass, follow the signs to the right towards "U San Petrone" (yellow and red markings). You will come to an intersection.

(6) Follow the signs for "U San Petrone" again on the right, keeping to the yellow and red markings. The slope becomes steeper until you reach the secondary summit of San Petrone, where there is a small cross and an orientation table. Using your hands for support, follow the exposed ridge to the large cross at the summit. This final section is strongly discouraged for inexperienced hikers.

(7) Turn back to return to the Bocca di San Pietro pass.

(5) Back at the pass, continue straight ahead following the signs for "Bocca Al Pratu": red markings.

(8) Pass Punta Ventosa and enjoy the view of Castagniccia on either side of the path. Continue following the GPS track and the red markings to the Bocca al Prato huts.

(9) Descend to the left of the lower hut heading north. Continue straight ahead on a poorly marked path through the ferns before turning right.

(10) Enter the forest, still following the GPS track. Descend the barely visible path, keeping an eye on the orange markings on the trees. At the edge of the forest, continue downhill on a well-marked path to reach the fork you passed on the way up.

(3) Take the path on the right, in the opposite direction to the outward journey, towards the hamlet of Campodonico.

(2) Cross the hamlet of Campodonico again and continue downhill, in the opposite direction to the outward journey, towards Pie-d'Orezza.

(1) Turn right to enter the village of Pie-d'Orezza. Pass by Captain Paoli's house, then the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua and finally the Town Hall.

(11) Return to the entrance to the village.

(1) Turn right onto the road and head for the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,116 ft - Pie-d'Orezza car park. - Flum'Alto (fleuve)
1 : mi 0.03 - alt. 2,100 ft - Stairs. Return trip to the village of Pie-d'Orezza.
2 : mi 0.57 - alt. 2,822 ft - Hamlet of Campodonico
3 : mi 1.1 - alt. 3,166 ft - Crossroads of the circular, San Petrone sign.
4 : mi 2.17 - alt. 4,505 ft - Funtana di Vallela e Trovulle
5 : mi 2.34 - alt. 4,541 ft - Col Bocca di San Pietro. Return trip to the summit.
6 : mi 2.94 - alt. 4,977 ft - Intersection. Return trip to the summit.
7 : mi 3.66 - alt. 5,778 ft - San Petrone
8 : mi 5.5 - alt. 4,593 ft - Punta Ventosa
9 : mi 6.45 - alt. 4,219 ft - Upper hut at Bocca al Prato
10 : mi 6.68 - alt. 4,124 ft - Entering the forest
11 : mi 8.98 - alt. 2,047 ft - Village of Pie d'Orezza
S/E : mi 9.1 - alt. 2,116 ft - Pie-d'Orezza car park. - Flum'Alto (fleuve)

Notes

Be careful, the ridge leading to the large cross at the summit of Monte San Petrone is high and exposed.

Some passages under the trees are poorly marked and difficult to follow. Look carefully for the paint marks on the trees and use the Visorando app with GPS enabled.

Close the gates behind you.

When I visited in October, the fountains in the hamlet of Campodonico, the two hamlets of Fiuminale and Vallela è Trovulle before Bocca di San Pietro were supplied with water.

The orange markings may sometimes change colour to yellow. The teams on the ground are working to update them.