Monte Cardu

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Discover the summit of Monte Cardo (Monte Cardu). Hiking in Corsica from the village of St Pierre de Venaco. The Monte Cardu culminates at 2453 M of altitude! A summit that must be deserved because of the extent of the positive difference in altitude!

LE MONTE CARDU

Discover the Monte Cardu hike in St Pierre de Venaco. A high mountain route, in the heart of the Regional Natural Park of Corsica. The Monte Cardo is one of the highest summits of the Rotondo and Maniccia Massif. A rocky path, an austere and difficult universe for a summit which culminates at 2453 M of altitude. A 360° panorama on the Cortenais, the Venacais, the Gulf of Porto, the Calacuccia dam, Vico, Evisa or the main summits of the island such as Monte Cinto or the neighbouring Punta Lattiniccia (2413 M).

Monte Cardu by the village of St Pierre de Venaco in Corsica

Starting point of the hike: Car park of the bridge "U Misognu" in the village of St Pierre de Venaco

To get there, head towards the centre of Corsica to reach St Pierre de Venaco. Enter the village and follow the road (to the right of the church) which leads to the school and the town hall. Continue to the bridge "U Misognu". Park in the car park at the bridge. The hike begins a few metres further on with the botanical trail of Caracuttu and the ancestral shepherds' path. A permanent change in altitude through the woods, with its shepherds' shelters (Paliaghji) and "Aghje" (wheat threshing floor), as well as the endemic flora of the place. An interesting educational trail that bears witness to a strong agro-pastoral past in the Venacais. It is also an area of protection and reintroduction of the Corsican Deer. Respect nature, avoid being noisy and do not make fires!

The Monte Cardu hiking trail

Always follow the signposted path that climbs to the heights, passing by the Culletti plateau. Reach the viewpoint and its pretty stone bench. The ideal place for a relaxing stop with a view of the Venacais. Then reach the sublime Sant' Eliseu (Santa Sabina) chapel. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach the chapel.

The rest of the course is much tougher! Thighs and cardio will be put to the test!

The Sant'Eliseo chapel and the Pulvarellu plateau

Go around the chapel and follow the orange markers behind it (between the posts). In front of you is the Pulvarellu plateau (1555 M) with its sheepfolds, as well as the ridges of Punta Lattiniccia (on the right) and the summit of Monte Cardu (on the left). From there, you have to follow the cairns. A long ascent with a significant difference in altitude, short thorny scrub and very few shaded areas. The path criss-crosses the mountain. Some rocky passages are slippery because of the melting snow. The cairns are sometimes hard to follow! Only the trickling of the river and the flapping of the wings of the Yellow-billed Chocard break the silence of the summits.

The summit of Punta Lattiniccia and Monte Cardu

Continue the ascent to reach the ridge line between the Lattiniccia and the Cardo. On reaching the heights, you will discover the plaque commemorating an air crash in 1948. Then the path branches off to the left for an extraordinary and breathtaking panorama! The next part is a huge scree where it becomes difficult to discern the cairns. Follow a pseudo path in the direction of the tip of Monte Cardu. It is only after about 4 hours of exhausting ascent, that the Monte Cardu, decorated with its wooden cross, offers itself to you. The landscape is grandiose and breathtaking. From west to east, an exceptional panorama of the island's high peaks, the Mediterranean and the many surrounding villages. Vico, Evisa, Christinacce, Venaco, Vivario, Corte...and many others.

The return journey takes the same route as the outward journey. Be careful on the descent and don't hesitate to use your hands to avoid slipping. It is also possible to take a variant at the level of the Pulvarella sheepfolds in order to make a loop or to join the village of Venaco.