This walk covers some of the prettiest villages in the Balagne !
From the perched hill village of SANT ANTONINO, this walk crosses through the garden of Corsica following easy paths and lanes. Towards the end of the walk you discover the abandoned village of OCCI, before diving down to LUMIO with its panoramic view over Calvi bay.
« A walk through the historic villages of the Balagne, the garden of Corsica, easy going, with orchards, olive groves and historic hamlets en-route»
Couvent de Corbara to Lumio
13km 4h30 -550m RED, YELLOW
Food supplies: SANT’ANTONINO, CATERI, restaurants and store LUMIO
The walk starts at the village of Sant’Antonino. Take time to explore the village and the church and if CLOS ANTONINI is open, do try their lemon juice!
- Saint Antonino (to Cateri) 1h15
From the village you need to drop down on the western side and follow the D413 road until it passes a narrow ridge, follow the road down for a few metres and you reach a left hand track that drops down gently (signposted BOUCLE DE LA PIEVE D’AREGNO), after 20m take the path to the right. After a short climb, the path drops again gently with dominating views over the REGINO PLAIN and the MONTEGROSSO mountain. After crossing two narrow valleys, the path climbs again on a wide saddle before joining a path climbing from the plaine that leads you below the road through fields and groves to the village of CATERI. On arrival at the cemetery, turn right and climb the road D151 and the San Cesareo chapel, cross the road here and drop down into CATERI village.
The village is a maze of cobbled streets, surrounding the EGLISE DE L’ASSOMPTION, baroque in style. From the church, head down the cobbled lanes of the village following Rue de la Tour (occasional yellow waymarks).
- Cateri (to Lavatoggio) 0h30
After a large garden (normally with chickens) on your right, the path leads downhill through the vegetation, before taking a distinct left at a junction (worn yellow waymark on a stone) towards LAVATOGGIO. You soon climb to reach the COUVENT DE MARCASSO, take a look at this windswept monastery, there is even a little shop.
From the Couvent de Marcasso, the walk continues to the hamlet of CROCCE, LAVATOGGIO. At new villas, the path becomes messy due to the constructions, head to the right, through the low stone walls, soon coming upon a spring, and then the hamlet. Head uphill to the main road from here, crossing the road and climbing the steps opposite towards the church.
- Lavatoggio (to Notre Dame de la Stella) 1h00
At the SAINT LAURENT church, go in and check out the painted ceiling, typical of the area. Take the Allee Roger Dassonville (facing the church on your right). The lane climbs steeply past houses until the lane becomes a track at San Giovanni di Venti Chapel.Continue along the track across this plateau to Notre Dame de la Stella chapel, the track continues straight ahead to LUMIO.
- Notre Dame de la Stella (to Occi) 0h30
After about 150m turn right (waymarked yellow) to explore Occi, taking the gently climbing track between stone walls and cistus. When the walk levels, the view of Calvi is sublime. You soon arrive at Occi.
- Occi (to Lumio) 0h30
From the left of the church (dated 1785) walk towards a stone wall and then left downhill. Circling Occi, wait till you see the RevelLata lighthouse and drop down a mule path (some yellow waymarks) zig zagging down through boulders until arrival at the village. To arrive at A Casa di Ma (formerly Chez Charles).
- Lumio
LUMIO, often the holiday destination for French footballers, supermodels, journalists and artists is set in a privileged, perched position on the hillside surrounded by flower gardens and vineyards with truly outstanding views out over the bay towards Calvi Citadel. Explore its streets before heading off.
Walks in Corsica 