Monte Astu

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Discover the summit of Monte Astu! Hiking in Haute Corse from the village of Lama. The Monte Astu culminates at 1535 M of altitude! A pleasant path through an old shepherd's path that leads you to the top of Monte Astu for an incredible view of the coastline and for the lucky ones...a sea of clouds!

Monte Astu

Discover the hiking trail from Monte Astu to the picturesque village of Lama. A mountain trail that starts in Lama, passing by the Prunincu refuge until it reaches the summit of Monte Astu. A superb panorama from the heights with the Balagne, the surrounding peaks or the Ile Rousse visible in good weather. A pleasant path through an old shepherds' path, with low dry stone walls. Allow about 5.5 hours return with a constant difference in altitude and passages on the ridges. A more sportive part at the end of the route with a semi climbing climb with the help of chains, before reaching the summit and its big cross overhanging the valley.

Monte Astu in Lama, Corsica

Starting point of the hike: Top of the village of Lama

To get there, take the direction of Ponte Leccia, then of the Balagne on the road to Ile Rousse. Go past the village of Pietralba and turn right towards Lama, about 3 kms further on. Head towards Lama and reach the church in the centre of the village. Take the climb on the right before the church and continue straight up to the top of the village. Park in the visitor car park. The access to the path is about 700m up. Continue along the road until you reach a cul-de-sac with beautiful, picturesque houses.

The Monte Astu hiking trail

A sign indicates the entrance to the hike and warns of the presence of a photo-toxic plant: the Peucedan. The path is marked in yellow and many cairns are visible. Go past the water tower and continue along the path. The gradient is constant but slight. Good smells with the essences of the maquis; Thyme, rosemary, Myrthes, Asphodel, Juniper... After a few minutes, you reach a plateau. From there, you will be able to observe an alignment of summits: Cima a I Mori, Capu Biancu, Monte Cintu, Monte Padru, Capu a u dente, Monte Grossu and San Parteo, summits which culminate from 1680 M to 2706 M for the highest: Cinto.

The Prunincu refuge and the Indian head!

A sign indicates a crossroads. Continue straight on to reach Monte Astu. The ascent remains light but constant until you reach a new plateau with the Prunincu refuge, its large cross and its shepherd's statue (St Christophe) nearby. Shortly afterwards, continuing straight to the summit, take the time to admire a masterpiece that nature has created: a stone face, the "Indian head".

The summit of Monte Astu for a 360° panorama

The rest of the route is taken by the famous trail "A Petralbinca". On the crests, a vast grassy plateau with a sublime view of the Agriates, the west coast of the Cap Corse and the cross of Monte Astu in the distance. Continue along the path, then go through the chains and a part of the route in semi climbing, relatively easy, before reaching the summit. All that remains is to enjoy the 360° panoramic view with the Capu di a Veta above Calvi, the island of Pietra on Ile Rousse, the Agriates desert, Saint Florent, the Cap Corse and the high Corsican summits.

The way back and the advice!

The return journey takes the same route as the first. Take enough water with you on this route. Be careful on the way back down, as the rock can be slippery in places.