Enjoy an invigorating dip in the cool, emerald waters of Restonica River, which meanders through the lush vegetation of central Corsica. Located at the foot of some of the island’s highest peaks, this awe-inspiring mountain valley offers perfect relaxation with plenty of shade and fresh air amid soothing sounds of crystal clear water rushing down glorious granite boulders. It’s a quiet, unspoiled place for a peaceful respite away from the crowds.
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REASTONICA VALLEY
The enchanted landscapes of Restonica Valley, nestled at the foot of Rotondo Massif, are one of Corsica’s key scenic highlights. Craggy mountain peaks provide a picturesque backdrop to ancient maritime pine forests hugging a lively current of the cascading river- an oasis of peace and wilderness. The silence is broken only by the rush of water and, if you’re lucky, the distant cry of a golden eagle or the clatter of mouflon hooves on the grey stone.
Restonica has its source at Lake Melo at 1711 meters above sea level, on Monte Rotondo. It slices through the narrow granite valley for 18 km before eventually joining the parallel Tavignano torrent near Corte. Lined with scented pine trees, the river is dotted with innumerable natural pools of cool, crystalline water perfect for bathing. Eroded rock formations and granite boulders scattered along the canyon create natural slides and tumbling waterfalls, supplying boundless aquatic entertainment away from the summer heat.
ACCESS TO RESTONICA VALLEY FOLLOWING THE 2023 FLOODS
Located in the heart of the island, just southwest of Corte, Corsica’s historic capital, Restonica was once an easily accessible destination via the scenic D623 route. The spectacular 15 km long drive up the gorge to its final point at Bergeries de Grotelle (1375 m) offered breathtaking views at every turn. Seemingly endless hairpin bends and plunging drops made many drivers dizzy, but the panoramas were simply breathtaking.
Sadly, in November 2023, Restonica Valley was struck by severe floods and storms, which caused extensive damage to the infrastructure. Heavy rains washed away sections of the D623 mountain road and destroyed the Tragone bridge, making car access to the upper valley, including Bergeries de Grotelle, impossible.
As a result, recreational opportunities in the valley were significantly impacted. Hikers and visitors who wish to set out on the Lac de Melo and Lac de Capitello trail can no longer drive to the traditional trailhead at Bergeries de Grotelle. Instead, they start from the A Frasseta car park, 6 kilometres lower in the valley, adding both distance and elevation to this popular trek. To adapt, local authorities introduced a shuttle service from Corte to A Frasseta, operating seasonally and requiring advanced booking in high season, to manage visitor flow and ensure safety.
Swimming in the river’s natural pools and hiking along the valley remain possible, but all activities now require more planning and physical effort due to the longer approach.
CAR TRAFFIC RULES ON D623 IN RESTONICA VALLEY
- From 1 October to 14 November 2024 and from 31 March to 30 April 2025, car access to A Frasseta remains available.
- The D623 road is closed to traffic from Tuani for the winter period, from 15 November 2024 to 30 March 2025.
- From 2 May to 30 September, a shuttle bus provides access to A Frassetta from Corte.
TRAVELLER’S COMPANION FOR A TRIP TO CORSICA – GRAB YOUR EBOOK!
33 Natural Pools and Waterfalls in Corsica
Descriptions – Directions – Coordinates
SHUTTLE SERVICE IN RESTONICA VALLEY
To visit the stunning Restonica, you may use the shuttle service, Navetta Restonica C13, connecting the Corte station (Corti Gara, in front of the Santos Manfredi stadium) with A Frasseta in the valley. There are six stops along the way: Corti Gara, St-Antoine, Chjarasgiolu, Tuani, Riviseccu, and the final one, A Frasseta. Shuttle access is available by prior reservation on the M-Ticket Via Corsica Restonica application. On-board sales or cash payments are not authorised. Tickets cost €4 for the round trip, while children under 8 are free of charge.
Since there is no network coverage in the valley, make your booking in Corte or another location where the signal is readily available. Having downloaded the M-Ticket Via Corsica Restonica application on iPhone and Android, select your round-trip ticket and proceed to payment (via Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, or Google Pay). Remember to show your ticket to the driver when boarding the shuttle in both directions.
Consult the official site for detailed shuttle timetables and the bus itinerary at https://www.isula.corsica/Navetta-Restonica-C13_a4624.html. You can also visit the Corte tourist board website https://tourisme-centrecorse.corsica, where all essential information is regularly updated.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Lightweight water footwear may be useful in providing traction on wet and slick rock surfaces.
- Always verify that it’s safe before entering the river and proceed with caution.
- In autumn, the valley takes on vibrant hues of yellow and red, creating a perfect backdrop for landscape photography.
- While in winter, a blanket of freshly fallen snow enhances the wild beauty of Restonica’s astonishing scenery.
- When visiting outside of season, prepare various layers of clothing, as with altitude, the weather may change, and temperatures drop.
- Do not enter the valley during storms or adverse weather.
- In winter, when the D623 road is closed to car traffic, leave your car next to the Tuani camping and continue your journey up the river on foot.
- Apart from several hotels offering accommodation, there is a camping site (Tuani) located 6 km into the gorge.
- Depending on the operator, a mobile telephone signal may be unavailable in the valley.
BOOK A FUN RIVER ACTIVITY IN THE AREA
Enjoy canyoning in the Verghellu Canyon, an exciting half-day aquatic adventure in one of Corsica’s most entertaining canyons. With a certified guide, you will discover breathtaking scenery, swimming in natural river pools, sliding and abseiling. You must be able to swim but no prior canyoning experience is required.
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN RESTONICA
- Enjoy a famous day hike to the Plateau d’Alzo starting at 10.5 km up the valley.
- Set off on a mountain walk to a pair of celebrated glacial lakes- Lac de Melo and Lac de Capitello. The trail starts at the A Frasseta car park on the D623 road.
- Hike to Monte Rotondo (2622 m), Corsica’s second-highest mountain dominating the region. Start your climb at the 11th kilometre up the valley. The arresting Lac d’Oriente, situated at the foot of the summit, is a perfect place for a refreshing picnic.
- Enjoy a session of bouldering or rock climbing at one of many locations dotting the picturesque valley.
- Explore the magical winter landscapes of Restonica with snow rockets or snowshoes. Dripping icicles and glistening snow cover reflecting the sunlight grant an archetypal outdoor experience.
- Catch a trout in clear river waters. Make sure to check the local laws beforehand, as fishing is a highly regulated sport in France with no-kill sections applicable to the Restonica River. You may purchase a license here www.cartedepeche.fr and find detailed information on the Corsican Fishing Federation site www.dirm.mediterranee.developpement-durable.gouv.fr.
- Visit Corte, a fortress town that served as the island’s capital in the 18th century, perched atop a rocky promontory.
TRAVELLER’S COMPANION FOR A TRIP TO CORSICA – GRAB YOUR EBOOK!
33 Natural Pools and Waterfalls in Corsica
Descriptions – Directions – Coordinates
VISIT CORSICA’S SUBLIME NATURAL POOLS – GRAB YOUR GUIDE
Discover Corsica’s glorious natural pools and waterfalls with a concise guide featuring 33 stunning river spots across the island. Perfect for wild swimming, family outings, and nature exploration, it provides clear access details, GPS parking coordinates, and nearby attractions. From peaceful basins to dramatic cascades, it helps you safely navigate the island’s rugged landscapes and uncover hidden gems beyond well-trodden tourist paths. Ideal for planning unforgettable outdoor adventures, this practical 51-page eBook may become your companion on an exciting journey to Corsica’s pristine rivers.
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2 comments
Hello! We are planning a trip this summer, and have 2-3 nights to spend either in Zonza area for hiking there, or 2-3 nights Corte for hiking around that area. We have 3 weeks on the island, and will do a bunch of other sight seeing, but plan to spend 2-3 nights hiking either in Zonza or Corte areas. Between the two, what would you suggest? We will be there in early July with two children ages 6 and 11. I would be so grateful for your opinion. We will also do some hiking in Cap Corse, and Spelunca Gorge near Porto.
Hello Vivian,
Thank you for your question.
The places that you mention are simply magical, I would even describe them as iconic. If you have an opportunity I would advise that you visit both of them.
The Restonica Valley near Corte, with its translucent swimming pools, is a fabulous place for children. A beautiful hike from the end of the scenic Restonica road to Lac de Melo ( https://coolcorsica.com/glorious-trek-to-lac-de-melo-and-lac-de-capitello-in-the-rotondo-massif/ ) is achievable with children, possibly if you take the longer/easier variant. The shorter route has some rock scrambling with the use of chains. The nearby Asco Valley is also a great place for hiking, the surroundings are wilder with the highest Corsican mountains dominating the torrent. A great easy walk to waterfall Radule starts at Col de Verghio. With plenty of shade and stunning cascades, it’s perfect for summer.
As to Zonza, it is a known hiker’s corner. The unforgettable scenery of the Bavella Massif offers many trekking options. Some of the scenic hikes include Cascades de Purcaraccia (now available with a guide due to accidents, too many careless selfies at the rock’s edge), a short walk to a mesmerizing succession of emerald pools, Piscia di Gallu, a very easy forest hike to a 70 m high waterfall, Trou de la Bombe, a known walk with the view of Bavella, but also the famous Alpine variant of GR20
( https://coolcorsica.com/route-de-bavella-the-most-beautiful-mountain-drive-in-corsica/ ). An enchanting place with very easy walks perfect for children is called Plateau de Coscione. It’s a pool-dotted grassy expanse located at the altitude of 1500 m. The access road is in poor condition so if you are renting a car it may be a problem.
If I was to choose I would probably spend a day having fun in fresh waters of the Restonica River near Corte and head to Bavella. It’s very hard to pick just one place though as both are simply sublime.
You may contact me for more information at [email protected], I will do my best to help you out with planning your time here.
I hope you have lots of fun, Corsica is a truly amazing place for family escapades:)
karola