Apartment Mare e Boscu

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Walk the Castagniccia

Continuing down the east coast from Bastia, the Castagniccia region extends from the River Golo in the north as far as the River Tavignano in the south and the Cortenais mountains to the west. It is famous for the droves of wild pigs that roam its lush countryside and takes its name from the dense forests of chestnut trees (castagna). Whilst many of the beautiful grey-green and silver schist-roofed hamlets that are sprinkled on ridges in the area lie virtually abandoned or derelict nowadays, the region is an explorer’s paradise, especially in autumn when the valleys are coloured gold and russet. Many of the inland villages boast views over the Tyrrhenian Sea towards Italy and, on clear days the islands of Monte Cristo and Elba are easily visible, and, even, occasionally, the Tuscan hills and it is well worth taking the car and meandering around the isolated hamlets to benefit from the views. The villages are linked by dozens of footpaths (the old mule tracks), most of which are well marked and signposted. Keen walkers should not miss the hike up Mont San Pedrone, the highest peak in the Castagniccia.