Peaks

Corsica is an island studded with spectacular peaks. Whilst many of these are beyond the scope of scrambling, some are accessible by the adventurous walker. Many involve scrambling and the hardest of these might be regarded as easy rock climbs.  Experience and judgement are vital for safe ascent and descent of these.  I've listed the peaks which I ascended below, providing brief notes.

The ascent of Capitello goes round the back!

Monte Alticcione

Cime di Monte Prato

Cime di e Follicie

The spine of the Cap Corse is topped by several attractive peaks. Rather than following the trail beneath the ridge, an easy scramble on rough ground can be taken up to the first major peak, Monte Alticcione.  A broken rocky trail leads up to the Cime di e Follicie with some scrambling over the Cime di Monte Prato which is easier than it looks from below.  The Rocher de Pruberzulu is a distinctive rocky block, but its ascent is more of a rock climb than a scramble.

Tower on the Cime di Monte Prato

 

Monte Stello

Monte Capra

Monte Cimone

These three peaks form the continuation of the Cap Corse spine beyond the Bocca di San Giuvanni. There are no difficulties except for Monte Capra which constitures a tough, committing scramble. I found a route round to the right of the tower which was somewhat loose and skin shredding (from the spiky vegetation). The main path goes to the right of this summit avoiding all scrambling.

Top of the tower on Monte Capra

 

 

Monte Corona

Capu Ladroncellu

Rather than descending to the GR20 from the Bocca di Tartagine, I took a route over Monte Corona and Capu Ladroncellu. These are easy, stony peaks that afford good views of the more dramatic summits surrounding them. 

Monte Corona on the left

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Muvrella

This small summit is not particularly meritorious in its own right, but affords incredible views over the Monte Cinto range. The easiest way up is by a simple scramble up the South ridge, but a more diffult scramble can be made up the West ridge (II).

Sunset on the Northwest wall of the Monte Cinto range

 

 

Monte Cinto

Monte Cinto is not only the highest peak in Corsica, but a fine summit regardless of height. The GR20 passes close to the summit, allowing rucksacks to be left for a lightweight ascent of the mountain.  The trail goes up the righthand side of the ridge, avoiding major obstacles by an up-and-down line following stony couloirs.  Care needs to be taken in routefinding to stay on the easiest line.

Monte Cinto - the highest peak in Corsica

 

Paglia Orba

The rounded dome of Paglia Orba rises impressively above the Ciutullu Refuge and presents a compelling challenge. It makes a relatively short out-and-back route from the hut, but routefinding is quite complex.  A trail leads toward the Cold des Maures, but a smaller trail needs to be followed before reaching the col. Cairns mark the way but the multiplicity of trails and cairns makes it somewhat confusing.  It's easy to get led astray onto difficult (rockclimbing) ground so care needs to be taken, as you'll have to come back the same way.  A foresummit is climbed on the way to the main summit.

Paglia Orba from the refuge

 

 

 

 

 

Capu Tafunatu

This is easily the most spectacular peak of the route.  A non-roped ascent looks incredibly unlikely from the hut, but an ingenious line weaves its way up the East face by utilising exposed but straightforward ledges. A steep chimney (III) is then climbed to access the summit block which is overcome by a circuitous line.  Halfway up is the incredible hole in the mountain - a sort of giant open cave.

Capu Tafunatu from Paglia Orba, the hole clearly visible like a snow patch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the hole in the mountain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lombarduccio

Capitello 

These two summits lie above the Restonica lakes - green jewels in a land of rock pinnacles.  It is a popular rock climbing area, which is not surpising given the immaculate granite.  I approached from the Lac de Goria on a very small trail that allows access to the pass between the two peaks, finishing up a broken couloir.  From the pass, the ascent of Lombarduccio is easy, and despite appearnaces, the ridge leading up to Capitello holds no difficulties beyond straightforward scrambling.

The ridge from Lombarduccio to Capitello

 

Monte Rotondu

This summit is generally climbed as a day trip from the Petra Piana Refuge.  I took a short cut over the flanks of a Maniccia to reach the Lavu Bellebone. This involves the descent and re-ascent of a very loose couloir. The normal route constitutes fairly straightforward scrambling over scree and easy rocks to reach the emergency hut at the top.

The flanks of Monte Rotondu above the Lavu Bellabone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pointe de Pinzi Corbini

This summit is traversed by the GR20 variant and is no more than a rough walk up to and along a broad ridge.

Sunrise on the Punta de Pinzi Corbini

 

 

 

Monte D'Oro

Monte D'Oro is a popular variant on the GR20 and is very worthwhile..  Instead of descending toward the Cascade des Anglais, follow a smaller trail upwards and follow it on the right-hand side of the ridge, avoiding difficulties on the right to finish up the Southeast ridge.  This involves some easy scrambling to the prominent summit.  A packless ascent can be made from the point where the main GR20 descends to the valley.

Monte D'Oro

 

 

Punta Dell Oriente

Instead of following the GR20 on a circuitous route in the forest, an obvious route can be taken up the Punta Dell Oriente on the fine Northeast ridge, with a bit of scrambling at the top.  The ridge has to be descended for about 300m  until a sketchy track can be followed under the pinnacles of the Pinzi Corbini.

Punta dell Oriente from the Pinzi Corbini

Monte Renoso

This peak is sometimes included as a variant of the GR20.  It is no more than a walk, but is a worthwhile excurison on a bare, moonlike plateau of eroded white rock. 

Mountains of the moon - Monte Renoso

 

Punta Della Capella

This is the reigning peak of the long ridge followed by the GR20 from the Refuge de Prati.  The main trail passes the summit by, but a small trail leads easily to the summit from the high point of the GR20 path.

Early morning on the Punta della Capella

 

Monte Alcudina

Monte Alcudina is traversed on a variant of the GR20 or can be added as a short there-and-back from the Bocca Stazunara on the main route.  It is definitely worth the effort, being the highest point of an isolarted peak.

Autumn colours approaching Monte Alcudina in the distance

 

 

Punta Velaco

Despite appearances from the West, Punta Velaco makes an easy as well as an enjoyable ascent.  The route follows a small trail just before the popular tourist attraction of the Trou de la Bombe.  A couloir is followed, passing through a hole, before finishing on a fine ridge with no more than very easy scrambling.

Punta Velaco

 

 

Punta di a Vaca Morta

This is an easy walking peak, just off the Mara a Mare Sud path. It is a very popular walk from Cartalavone but makes a worthwhile diversion for the views and tor like rocks.

Summit rocks on the Punta di a Vaca Morta

 

Punta di Compolelli 

The ascent of this mountain should not be underestimated!  The route follows the Crete de Compolleli, starting with a small track through the bushes just opposite the fountain near the D59 road below the Col de Ferula. This ends in a rather tangled jungle of vegeation from which you emerge to walk up slabs beside an obvious wall. A scree couloir leads to the ridge and from there it's tricky - prickly vegetation and awkward scrambling. The Corse Sauvage web site provides a fuller description.  It's wonderful if you like a wild tussle!

Initial rocks leading up to the Compolelli ridge