How do you prepare for your outing?

A hike needs to be planned and thought through before you set off, rather like an appetiser. It is important to choose a route that suits your ability, to check the weather forecast before you go, and to estimate how long the walk will take. Planning your route allows you to walk with peace of mind and enjoy your time on the trails to the full.

What does a well-organised rucksack contain?

It goes without saying that it is essential to set off with plenty of water. You’ll also need something to eat to regain your strength, as well as clothing suitable for the conditions and an extra layer in case of unexpected weather. Finally, a first-aid kit and sun protection – sun cream, sunglasses, a cap, etc. – round off the essentials for a good rucksack, without weighing it down with unnecessary items.

Found on some mid-mountain trails, this plant can cause skin burns on contact, particularly in the sun. Trousers and long sleeves are usually sufficient protection. [insert an image of the plant to avoid] We will include a link to detailed information about the plant on a specialist website.

When is the best time to go hiking?

Spring and autumn offer the best conditions, and the countryside provides the perfect setting for freedom of movement. Temperatures remain mild, the light is soft, and the long days of May and June encourage you to keep walking for longer. In summer, it is strongly recommended that you set off early and ensure everyone stays well hydrated.

How do you find your way?

The Lisula Outdoor app makes it easy to find your way to the starting point of each route and also allows you to download GPX tracks. Once out on the trail, the signposting along the paths takes over and complements the app’s GPS guidance throughout the route.

Pushing oneself to the limit

Challenging walks for experienced walkers

Hiking for the pros

Whilst Lisula celebrates active wellbeing in everyday life, it is also a region that must be earned. For seasoned walkers, for those who love it when the effort drags on and they find themselves out of breath, these trails deliver on their promise: steep climbs, technical sections and, at the end of the trail, panoramic views that justify every stride that pushes the walker beyond their limits.

1. Monte Astu

Starting from Lama, this climb is aimed at experienced walkers. A 1,000-metre ascent follows on relentlessly, over terrain that is at times technical and requires concentration and agility. The effort leads to the summit of Monte Astu, at an altitude of 1,535 metres, where the reward is immediately well worth the effort. Indeed, from there, the view takes in the whole of northern Corsica: the Agriate, the silhouette of Cap Corse, the Monte Cintu massif and, on a clear day, the islands of the Tuscan archipelago, all in the blink of an eye.

To tackle this route with confidence, it is recommended that you wear covering clothing – trousers, at the very least – as a plant known as peucedan, found on certain sections of the trail, can cause burns on contact with the skin.

Rando 17 : Monte Astu

Rando 16 : Boucle de Sant'Antone

2. Sant’Antone

From Belgudè – Belgodère, the Sant’Antone circular walk climbs gradually towards the ridges overlooking the Reginu valley. The trail follows ancient paths that once linked one valley to another, allowing you to retrace this chapter of the past, the presence of which can still be glimpsed through a few subtle traces. The route passes through the village of Palasca before returning to the heart of the countryside. It alternates between steep climbs and sections where the going is easier. A 700-metre climb, landscapes that change with every step, and a pace to be adjusted as the hours go by: a full day’s walk between villages and along ridgelines for those who enjoy a challenge.

3. Bocca Caprunale

At the very top of the Fangu Valley, the Caprunale Pass – whose name derives from *capra*, meaning ‘goat’ – marks the start of the transhumance route to the Niolu summer pastures. From Montestremu, the path follows in the footsteps of the shepherds who set off on a three-day trek to the high-altitude pastures. The hike climbs up the Fangu Valley to the Tassu spring. It is here that perseverance, technique, physical fitness and determination take on their full meaning. Nearly 1,000 metres of elevation gain amongst dry stone walls, over an average of seven intense hours’ walking. The finish line promises yet another panorama suspended outside the flow of time.

Caprunale Caprunale: a loop from mountain to sea
Si colla cum’è à l’altare pè forza o per ideale (A Filetta)

Caprunale, Caprunale, the ring that links the mountains to the sea,
One climbs it as one ascends towards the altar, by force or by ideal

An almost mystical ascent. The term‘altare’ emphasises the sacred nature of the mountain in Corsican culture. The ‘force’ refers to the labour of the shepherds, who were compelled to climb for the purposes of transhumance. The ‘ideal’ evokes a spiritual quest, the desire to rise above the human condition.

4. A tour of the area around L’Ile-Rousse

Monticellu – Monticello, Santa Reparata di Balagna, Pigna and Curbara – Corbara are four villages linked by a route that can be broken down into as many days – two, three or four – as there are sections of the walk to enjoy. This escape from the everyday is guaranteed to be unadulterated, and the scenery transports the mind to another world as you wander through the villages and meet the locals. This circular route, covering 40 kilometres with a total elevation gain of 1,500 metres, adapts to everyone’s pace; accessible to seasoned hikers as well as those trying it for the first time, everyone can tailor it to their own level of confidence or preference.

Rando 43 : Bocca Capronale

Rando 13: Loop around L'Ile-Rousse

Practical information

Find out more

How do you prepare for your outing?
What does a well-organised rucksack contain?
It goes without saying that it is essential to set off with plenty of water. You’ll also need something to eat to regain your strength, as well as clothing suitable for the conditions and an extra layer in case of unexpected weather. Finally, a first-aid kit and sun protection – sun cream, sunglasses, a cap, etc. – round off the essentials for a good rucksack, without weighing it down with unnecessary items.
What is peucedanum?
When is the best time to go hiking?
How do you find your way?