Scandola Nature Reserve UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE A natural gem to be preserved The Scandola Nature Reserve is the first site in France dedicated to the preservation of both terrestrial and marine natural heritage. The state of conservation of this site, which dates back more than 30 years, is unique. A true geological showcase, the Scandola site corresponds to the emerged part of an ancient volcanic complex that partially collapsed into the sea. There is a great diversity of volcanic rocks as well as formations linked to eruptions: lahars, pyroclastics, rhyolite organs, etc.
The essentials
The Calanche de Piana Between Porto and Piana, they are located on the coast of central-western Corsica, halfway between Calvi and Ajaccio. The area extends from the tip of Capo Rosso to Ficajola beach. Visiting the Calanques de Piana is not like visiting a park... It has to be earned! It takes just over an hour by car from Ajaccio via the D81 departmental road and your excursion to Piana will allow you to discover the magnificent landscapes of Tiuccia, Sagone and Cargèse along the way. Upon arrival in Piana, continue your journey towards Porto, Ota.
The Natural Pools The Aïtone waterfalls are a group of small waterfalls and natural pools carved into the rock, surrounded by trees, which give the whole place this beautiful emerald green color. The water is strikingly clear and its emerald color instantly captivates the visitor. Although very cool and invigorating (rarely above 12°C in summer), the bravest swimmers will enjoy a few strokes, while the most sensitive to the cold will only dip their feet. It is a place conducive to meditation and returning to nature when you venture there outside the summer season.
Lake Creno and its water lilies Discover this unique lake in Corsica for its beauty and exceptional location, in the heart of the forest. Lake Creno, or Crena, is the lowest of Corsica's lakes and the only wooded lake surrounded by Corsican pines. Located in the Deux Sorru region, in the Monte Rotondo massif, the lake rises to 1,310 meters above the villages of Guagno, Orto, and Soccia. It is only accessible by walking trails. With a maximum depth of 6 meters, the lake is fed by the Creno stream, which flows into the Fiume Grosso River, a tributary of the Liamone River.
The Gulf of Girolata is a place to contemplate the magnificent landscape of the Gulf of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even today, the small hamlet of Girolata and its port nestled at the end of the bay are only accessible by boat or on foot. No road has ever been built there. This uniqueness and the proximity of Scandola make it a major tourist attraction on the Corsican coast.
Capo Rosso The second westernmost point of Corsica, surpassed only by the satellite island of Gargalo in the Scandola Nature Reserve (and the westernmost point of the island of Corsica in the true sense). It is a pink granite cape accessible only on foot and topped with a Genoese tower. Access by car is via the D824, the only road leading from Piana to Arone beach. At the Orsini Pass, a sign near the bar indicates the location and the parking lot. Capo Rosso, a mountain that clearly dominates the area, is clearly visible in the distance to the west from the parking lot. From there, a beautiful perspective is offered to the hiker with a series of several "tooth-shaped" mountains, the third of which is Capo Rosso itself.
Capu d'Ortu This is the mountain that best symbolizes Corsica's nickname, mountain in the sea, as this summit of nearly 1300m is close to the sea and overlooks it in a way! The hike, quite easy in itself, is actually quite original as it takes you from the marine atmosphere of Piana to the rocky mountain abysses of the summit... This region is the one including Porto with the Aïtone valley up to the Verghju pass. Porto is especially known as the pearl of the Corsican coast with its incomparable seascape (Gulf of Porto, Scandola peninsula, Pointe de Capu Rossu, ...). And yet, the mountaineer will also be seduced by the grandiose rocky setting of the site, overlooked by this dolomitic summit of Capu d'Ortu, whose N face seems to fall directly into the sea, as well as the walls of the Tre Signore, the needles that surround it. One of the hikes suggested below invites you to explore this popular summit.
Lake Nino, From the Vergio Pass ski resort on the D 84, 10 km from Evisa. The GR20 trail leads into the forest, without major difficulties and accessible to all average walkers. After an hour, the trail begins to climb for the first time towards the Saint-Pierre (San Petru) pass at 1,452 meters, then continues to pass two ridges at 1,816 m and 1,896 m, then descends slightly towards the lake at 1,743 m. Approximately 700 m of elevation gain, 15 km round trip and 8 hours of walking. Another departure, still on the D 84, but about 8 km lower than the resort, towards the Popaghja forester's house at 1,120 m. The elevation gain is a little greater than the first departure. The source of the Tavignano (the second largest river in Corsica, both in terms of length and flow rate) is located on the Camputile plateau. It is surrounded by pozzines, a type of small peat lake.
Monte Cervellu (or Punta à u Ciarbellu) is a mountain peak in the Monte Rotondo massif, located in Corsica, in the department of Corse-du-Sud. It rises to an altitude of 1,622 meters. The summit is linked to the municipality of Rosazia by a sign. The marked and usually recommended route starts from this village. However, the two other municipalities of Salice and Poggiolo also share this summit.