Lac de Nino from Vergio – GR20

“Probably one of the best walks in Corsica, to the buccolic Lac de Nino.”

The lake is situated on the CAMPUTILE plateau at 1,743m altitude, it is the source of the TAVIGNANO river, the second biggest river on the island. Nino is a glacier lake and is surrounded by POZZINES, spongy wet turf with runnels and wells of water. It covers an area of 6.5 hectares and is 12m deep. It is the second largest lake on the island. There is no shade at the lake. If there are not too many people the ambiance is restful, there are often grazing ponies.

18km / 6h30 /+500m / -700m / RED WHITE

Spring at the lake (not always working)

Take plenty of water with you in hot weather, this is a long walk. Be attentive to timings. Take warm clothes as this is a high mountain walk.

Castel di Vergio (to the intersection) 1h15 / 3.5km

From the hotel at Vergio, turn left, walk downhill 100m, on the opposite side the road, a sign indicates the GR20 and the path into the woods. Turn right, take this path that goes steeply downhill. You soon arrive at on another forest path, turn right, following the GR20 waymarks. This path is called the SENTIER DE RONDE it is easy underfoot and it is more or less flat. You will arrive at an intersection on the right after around an hour.

Intersection right (to Col St Pierre) 0h30 / 500m

Turn right, the path ahead goes to the bergeries de Colga, to your right the path climbs steeply uphill on rocky scree, then levels through the woods, several switch backs leads up to the Col St Pierre BOCCA SAN PEDRU. The col is at 1452m high and marked by a small statue.

Col de St Pierre (to Lac de Nino) 1h30 / 5km

Turn left, you continue climbing towards the pylon, then to the wind scultured trees, and after a climb you arrive at a wonderful ridge section. The path drops over to the other side of the ridge with views over south west Corsica. Follow the ridge to BOCCA A RETA, and straight down to the lake below. Once on the shores of the lake, enjoy this magical place.