Country trails
The Sentiers de Pays take you to the heart of the Alta Rocca to discover unspoilt landscapes, forgotten hamlets and spectacular viewpoints. These signposted walking routes offer you an authentic immersion in the forests, mountains and rural heritage. Explore the soul of the region on foot, step by step.
Piscia di Ghjaddu
Wind your way under the maritime pines, overlooking the river and taking in the sublime panoramas between the sea and the mountains. At the end of the trail, take in the view of Corsica's highest waterfall and the east coast.
You can complete part of the itinerary by taking the "variant" or do the original route as a return trip.
Beaconing
Yellow
Reception area
Compulsory parking at the Piscia di Ghjaddu reception area
April to October
Price: €5 per vehicle
To discover along the way
- views of the forest and eastern coastline of Corse-du-Sud
- Rocher de la Sentinelle (tafoni = rock naturally shaped by the elements)
- A Sapara rock (oriu = rock used for shelter)
- view of Corsica's highest waterfall, Piscia di Ghjaddu (the pine waterfall)
- Osepdale forest
IGN map
Aerial photos / IGN
Map of slopes (IGN map)
Map 1950 / IGN
Staff map (1820-1866)
Open Street Map
1
Start of the trail
Start the route between the two restaurants, on the stone walkway.
Ospedale forest
The Ospedale forest is an enchanting place, populated by pine and beech trees, the ideal setting for a nature break. It takes its name from the eponymous village, which was home to a hermitage welcoming shepherds and travellers to the mountains from the 15th century onwards. The lake first appeared when the dam was built in 1979, to create a reservoir of drinking water for the region.
Swimming and camping prohibited!
Piscia di Ghjaddu reception area
The Piscia di Ghjaddu reception area, open from April to October, allows visitors to park their vehicles for the hike of the same name, or to enjoy the site's restaurants.
2
Information
Cross the wooden footbridge and follow the yellow signs.
Sentinel Rock
This "tafonu", a rock shaped by time and erosion, seems to watch over the forest and the valley stretching out before our eyes. Hence its name of Sentinel, whose job it was to warn of dangers and watch over the surrounding area.
3
Bifurcation
Turn left at the crossroads, following the "variante" sign, along the narrow path leading down to the river.
Roche A Sapara
This "oriu" is an ancient rock shelter used by men to cover themselves from the elements, or to store various products.
5
Bifurcation
Turn right after the ford, following the "Piscia di Ghjaddu" sign and yellow markings.
View of the waterfall
This wooden platform was installed to provide a view of the Piscia di Ghjaddu waterfall, which is overlooked here.
Be careful not to lean too far!
Piscia di Ghjaddu waterfall
The Piscia di Ghjaddu waterfall is the highest in Corsica, with a drop of 70 metres. Its name can be translated as "fir/pine waterfall", in reference to the species found in the Ospedale forest.
The path of the same name provides access to the front view of the waterfall only, as the last section of the path is very dangerous and is currently being restored.
A viewpoint has been set up to allow you to photograph almost the entire waterfall.
10
Information
From this point onwards, the path is more difficult. Beware of slippery rock.
11
Bifurcation
From this point onwards, the descent to the watercourse is dangerous and prohibited by municipal by-law!
Turn left to reach the viewpoint over the waterfall, following the yellow signs.
18
Cross
Turn right onto the path, following the "accueil" sign and yellow markings.
20
Cross
Continue straight ahead to reach the start of the path, taking the same route as on the outward journey.