Splendid walk along the northern »pillar« of the Gulf of Porto
Despite its lack of height, Monte Senino is one of the most adventurous and beautiful of the Corsican peaks, and without a doubt, one of the most photographed. Along with Punta Castellacciu, it creates the pillars between the Gulf of Porto and the Gulf of Girolata while affording a unique view of both bays and the central ridge (see photo).
Starting point: Bocca a Croce (Col de la Croix), 269m, on the Galéria – Porto road (22km north of Porto) above the village of Osani.
Height difference: 350m (Monte Senino an additional 300m).
Grade: extremely steep footpath (with some easy sections of scrambling) that requires a certain amount of route finding.
Refreshment: buvette (snack bar) at Bocca a Croce.
Alternative: continued route to the summit of Monte Senino (1 hr. one way; some stretches of easy scrambling): to the right (northwest), a distinct path marked with cairns continues beneath the crags of Punta Castellacciu. The path follows the ridge, more or less, towards Monte Senino, and after a few minutes, drops steeply diagonally left only to soon traverse the slope to the right and return to the ridgeline. Shortly after, reach a saddle in front of a pillar-shaped crag. Do not ascend directly to this crag but instead, pass to the left along its foot and immediately ascend along a steep, narrow gully (chimney; Climbing Grade I). Afterwards, climb over a saddle to the right side of the ridge to continue on to the next saddle in front of a mighty rock face. Here, descend a short way to the left and then go right along the foot of the rock face to reach the next steep gully. Ascend along this then bear somewhat to the left, through the crag-dotted slope, along the left-hand side of the ridge all the way to the peak.
Map: IGN 4150 OT (1:25.000).