Hiking along waterfalls and through forests at the foot of Paglia Orba
The route through the Viru valley to the Auberge U Vallone offers stunning views of Paglia Orba, the island’s most beautiful mountain.
Location: Calasima, 1095m, Corsica’s highest village in the Niolu region.
Starting point: after about a 3km drive into the Viru valley, at the end of the asphalt road, 1096m (parking possible; a campsite by the stream below).
Height difference: a good 400m.
Grade: easy valley and hillside walk on forest roads and well-marked paths.
Refreshment and accommodation: staffed Auberge U Vallone (bunks); Auberge i Milari (shortly before the end of the road); restaurants and hotels in Albertacce and Calacuccia; campsite in Lozzi.
Alternatives: from the Grotte des Anges a possible ascent onto Monte Albanu, 2018m (1¼ hrs., cairns). Ascent from the Bergerie de Ballone along the GR 20 to the Refuge de Tighiettu, 1683m (40 mins.), from here you can cross over to Haut-Asco (1 day, Walk ). Continuing on the GR20 through the Foggiale valley, you could reach the Refuge de Ciottuli di i Mori in 2¼hrs. (Walk 69).
Map: IGN 4250 OT (1:25.000).