CAPO DI MURO TRAIL – EXPLORE CORSICA’S VIVID COASTAL WILDERNESS

The Capo di Muro peninsula is a true microcosm of spectacular coastal beauty. Nestled between two stunning bays, Golfe d’Ajaccio and Golfe de Valinco, this rugged cape offers visitors a quintessentially Mediterranean hiking adventure.

A 9-kilometre loop trail winds through the rugged 170-meter high headland covered with fragrant Corsican shrubs, revealing breathtaking panoramic views of the coast and wild, untouched landscapes crowned with a historic Genoese watchtower. Capo di Muro’s scenery transforms at its westernmost tip, where giant rock formations tumble into the sea, forming a fascinating granitic chaos. Amid this craggy, elements-sculpted terrain, a small chapel devoted to the Virgin Mary offers a quiet retreat.

Medium in difficulty, the hike requires stamina, especially on hot summer days. That being said, it rarely gets busy. Even in high season, it offers travellers an opportunity to escape the crowds and spend quiet time in unspoilt coastal nature.

This page contains affiliate links meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Click here to learn more.

CAPO DI MURO – LOCATION

The Capo di Muro peninsula separates two beautiful bays on Corsica’s west coast, providing breathtaking views of both, the Gulf of Ajaccio and the Gulf of Valinco. Situated only 45 kilometres, or one hour’s drive, from the island’s capital, this scenic location guarantees a memorable day trip for holidaymakers visiting Ajaccio or its region. If you arrive from Propriano, getting to the trail’s starting point will also take around an hour.

Capo di Muro’s surroundings are wild and undeveloped, revealing Corsica’s most dramatic coastal scenery. The nearest beach on the headland’s south side, the magnificent Cala d’Orzu, seduces with its unspoilt environment reminiscent of faraway exotic destinations. Nestled a little further, Plage de Cupabia or Plage de Portigliolo, boasting transparent azure waters and powder-soft white sand, are equally stunning.

Civilization and its comforts are never too distant in Corsica, though. Porticcio, the hallmark seaside resort of the Rive Sud, Ajaccio Bay’s southern part, can be reached in 30 minutes.

CAPO DI MURO HIGHLIGHTS

• Exquisite diverse Mediterranean landscapes- dense, perfumed scrubland, evocative, horizon-reaching seascapes, waterfront granitic chaos dotted with giant boulders, and wild shoreline.
• Awe-inspiring views encompassing two glorious bays and even Sardinia’s northern shoreline.
• Endemic flora (strawberry trees, Phoenician junipers, cistus, myrtles, holm oaks, wild leeks) and fauna (lizards, wild boar, ravens, gulls).
• A 16th-century Genoese watchtower that was once a part of the island’s defence system.
• Chapelle A Madonuccia, sailors’ solitary chapel located on the peninsula’s furthest point, adding a heartwarming and hopeful element to the rugged scenery.
• A restored 19th-century stone house and its bread oven providing a glimpse into the region’s history and traditional way of life.
• Capo di Muro Lighthouse that signals the cape’s hazardous presence to the incoming maritime traffic.

Due to the threat of the collapse of its upper parts, the Genoese watchtower is now off-limits to the public by the order of local authorities. Once you arrive at the site, remain outside the blocking barriers and admire this historic construction and stunning views from a safe distance.

HOW TO GET THERE

To reach the Capo di Muro trailhead from Porticcio, follow the D55-D155 road for Aqua Doria. At the fork after the village, on Bocca Di Filippina (Filippina pass), follow the route signposted for Capu di Moru and Cala d’Orzu. Carry on via this road for another 5 kilometres until the end of the tarmac (ignore the left turning for Cala d’Orzu continuing in the direction of Monte Biancu).

If you arrive from the south, head towards Bocca Di Filippina before the Aqua Doria village and then follow the same directions as above.

PARKING

Once you arrive at the end of the paved road past a small hamlet, you will find a sandy parking area where you may leave your vehicle. Le Capo di Muro restaurant, situated on the trailhead, has a lovely terrace exposed to sweeping views of the wild coast and the Cala d’Orzu cove. After your hike, you may stop there to sample delicious fresh seafood or local meat.

CAPO DI MURO – TRAIL

DISTANCE – 8.7km round trip (loop trail around the cape) | ELEVATION – 300m | DIFFICULTY – medium | TIME – 3-4h

From the car park, go uphill via the main wide dirt track and continue past the metal gate. Soon you will arrive at an intersection where the piste branches into two paths. Take the left one descending into the scrubland. 300 meters further continue straight ahead (ignore the left-turning branching). When you reach a clearing with two footpaths forking out and a large information panel on the right, take the right path. In front of the centrally-positioned tree, you will find a small sign pointing you in the right direction. On the way, you will get a glimpse of the watchtower dominating the stunning Ajaccio bay.

ARRIVAL AT THE WATCHTOWER (2.3 km)

Sadly, due to the high risk of falling stones, you cannot approach the tower but even from a distance you will be able to appreciate its majestic splendour and sweeping views of the gulf. Pretty turquoise bays indenting the shoreline below are a popular place of anchorage for boats arriving on day trips from Ajaccio. 

From there, take the path going up the hill, leaving the footpath via which you arrived on your left. Once you arrive at an open space with a solitary stone house (2.7 km) take the piste marked for Chapelle A Madonuccia and Sentier Littoral. On the left, you will encounter a historic bread oven belonging to the old farmhouse.

TOWARDS THE BEACH

The path, now more rocky and exposed, will start descending to the shore where under the Lighthouse, a granitic chaos marks the peninsula’s tip. Tread this section carefully avoiding slipping on a more technical terrain. At the beach (4.2 km), the scenery is grandiose and savage. Take in the views before proceeding along the coastline to Chapelle A Madonuccia (4.7 km), a small stone shrine devoted to the Virgin Mary, where you may rest in its shade refuelling your energy.  If the water is calm, you may go for a refreshing dip but the seabed is stony and requires adequate shoes to get in comfortably.

RETURNING ALONG THE COAST

After a break, continue around the headland via the rocky slope to arrive at a more comfortable path on the south part of Capo di Muro. From there, the trail traces the shoreline peppered with picturesque bays and rocky outcrops. Carry on eastwards along this scenic coastal path until a T-section (6.6 km) where you need to pursue a piste departing left towards the top of the ridge. The climb is steep but not very long (around 350 meters). Take regular breaks, to catch a breath before your hike’s final stretch. Once on top, continue to the car park via the same dirt track on which you arrived.

GENOESE WATCHTOWER

Built between 1580 and 1617, the cape’s handsome Genoese watchtower stands tall atop the crest overlooking Ajaccio Bay’s captivating seascapes. Today classified as a historic monument, it was once an important element of Corsica’s efficient surveillance and defence system used against notorious pirates’ raids.

CHAPELLE A MADONUCCIA

Chapelle A Madonuccia, a tiny chapel below the lighthouse is devoted to the Virgin Mary, a patron saint of Corsica who has been watching over the island for centuries. Nestled amid Capo di Muro’s untamed scenery, it manifests its surprising yet very peaceful presence, allowing travellers to stop for a moment of reflection or prayer. Accessible solely via a long and strenuous hike, it remains a cherished place of pilgrimage for the inhabitants of Coti-Chiavari.

Although the shrine’s exact origins are unknown, mentions of its existence go as far back as the end of the 18^th century. Today, tired hikers find welcoming shade within the chapel’s inviting interior, where both physical and spiritual strength is quickly restored.

PRACTICAL TIPS

• Check the weather forecast before setting out and postpone your trip in case of unstable conditions, rain, very high temperatures, or strong winds.
• Good hiking shoes are essential, this is by no means a flip-flop walk.
• Carry plenty of water and snacks high in calories to fuel your hike. You will need water on the final ascent.
• Protect your skin, head and eyes from the sun. In parts, the trail is void of shade, exposing you to strong radiation.
• Hiking poles are handy on the path’s technical sections.
• During your trek, schedule regular breaks to drink, eat, and rest. Although the loop is fairly easy, it is more physically demanding than you may expect.
• On the rocky sections, place your feet carefully to avoid slipping.
• The hike is not suitable for small children due to its uneven rocky terrain.
• If you can, plan your excursion for spring or autumn, avoiding the hottest months.
• Mobile phone coverage for all networks is very patchy, with no signal at all in many parts of the trail.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY OPTION

The large 9-kilometre loop trail of the cape is too challenging for small children to accomplish but a small circuit to the Genoese watchtower and back is free of significant difficulties. You may also continue along the trail to the solitary stone house where you need to take the path turning left and follow it eastward, back to the hike’s starting point.

Both alternatives limit the excursion to around 5 kilometres for the round trip giving you ample time to subsequently descend to one of the area’s paradisiacal beaches for water fun and sand castles.

BEST BEACHES IN THE AREA

• Plage de Cala d’Orzu – A beautiful wild cove with turquoise water, white sand, and rocky headlands great for snorkelling. Tricky car access (a steep unpaved track).
• Plage de Cupabia – One of Corsica’s most iconic beaches with emerald water and an expanse of silky white sand. Apart from a beach hut and a restaurant, the bay is free of construction.
• Plage de Portigliolo – A stunning nearly circular sandy cove, offers a peaceful retreat.
• Plage de Mare E Sole (Plage de Verghia) – One of the area’s highlights, with powder-soft golden sand, perfectly transparent water, and an adjacent pine forest.
• Plage de Ruppione – An idyllic turquoise half-moon-shaped bay with a gently sloping sandy shore and great areas for snorkelling.
• Plage d’Agosta – A vibrant, wide sandy beach lined with restaurants and bars where watersports lovers will find their heaven.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS IN THE REGION

• Prehistoric site of Filitosa
• Ajaccio – the capital city of Corsica
• Beach paradise around the seaside resort of Porticcio
• Wines from the Ajaccio region
• The idyllic village of Porto Pollo
• Cupabia beach – one of the best on the island
• The port town of Propriano
• Canyoning in the Baracci gorge
• Natural pools at the Spina Cavallu bridge
• Kayaking on Lake Tolla
• A Cupulatta turtle sanctuary

HELPFUL TRAVEL RESOURCES

Liability Disclaimer

All outdoor activities are carried out at your own risk. Always plan ahead and be cautious when preparing for your hikes. The author of this blog cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident, death, loss, personal injury, or any other inconvenience or damage that may be sustained by anyone as a result of the use of any information contained on this website.

Please help support CoolCorsica!

If you find this website as useful as a guidebook you may have had to buy to plan your adventures, please consider helping me with a small donation.

This traveler-focused site is created in my spare time with a desire to share comprehensive information, useful tips, and inspiring photos of Corsica’s most scenic locations.

Please note that certain products/services and links to products/services are affiliate links and I may earn a commission for any purchases that you make, at no additional cost to you. I truly appreciate your use of any of the links I share.

With your generous help, I can continue to offer my advice and support in planning your dream holiday.

Thank you for your contribution!