The Aiguilles de Bavella form one of the most spectacular landscapes in South Corsica: jagged granite peaks, great rock walls and laricio pines twisted by the wind, above a pass 1 218 m high. From villa Le Petit Pinarello, allow about an hour’s drive to go from the beach to the high mountains. Here is how to plan the day, which walks to choose and which rules to follow.
The Aiguilles de Bavella at a glance
The Col de Bavella links the Alta Rocca to the east coast, between Zonza and Solenzara, within the Corsica Regional Nature Park. It is surrounded by the municipalities of Quenza, Zonza and Conca. At the pass, a statue of Notre-Dame-des-Neiges welcomes visitors, facing the red and grey granite walls.
Among the summits of the massif, the seven towers of Asinau rise to between about 1 590 m and 1 855 m (Punta Alta). Further away, Monte Incudine dominates the region from its 2 134 m summit. The massif is also a mecca for climbing and canyoning, and the famous GR20 crosses it.
Getting to the Aiguilles de Bavella from Pinarello
The Col de Bavella is about 57 km from the villa, or around 1 h 05 min by road outside peak times. In July and August, allow longer: traffic around Porto-Vecchio and on the mountain roads makes journey times considerably longer.
There are two routes, and you can combine them into a loop:
- Via the Ospédale and Zonza: the D368 climbs through the Ospédale forest to Zonza, then the D268 climbs towards the pass.
- Via Solenzara: the road follows the coast to Solenzara (about 27 km from the villa), then the D268 climbs the Solenzara valley via the Col de Larone.
Both roads are winding: drive carefully and plan for breaks. At the pass, parking is generally paying in season and fills up quickly around midday; arriving early is still the best option. An Alta Rocca tourist office information point is open there from 1 April to 30 September.
The Trou de la Bombe (U Cumpuleddu), the walk not to be missed
This is the best-known hike in the Aiguilles de Bavella. The “Trou de la Bombe”, U Cumpuleddu in Corsican, is a large opening carved by erosion in a granite wall: a tafonu, typical of Corsican rocks. According to the Alta Rocca tourist office, the route has the following features:
- Start: behind the Bavella information point.
- Distance: 5,7 km there and back, along the same path.
- Duration: about 2 h of walking, not including breaks.
- Ascent: about 244 m, between 1 212 m and 1 314 m altitude.
- Waymarking: red marks and wooden signposts. Graded easy.
The path climbs through laricio pines, passes close to a chapel dedicated to the Virgin, then offers a natural viewpoint over the peaks before reaching the Cumpuleddu. The tourist office warns that the final approach to the tafonu calls for great care and that you must not climb into the hole, because of the risk of falling. With children, keep them close to you on the rock slabs and enjoy the view from the foot of the opening.
For seasoned walkers: the GR20 and its alpine variant
The GR20, the legendary trail across Corsica, passes through the Col de Bavella, between the Asinau refuge (1 536 m) and the Paliri refuge (1 055 m). From the pass, an alpine variant tackles the peaks. The Alta Rocca tourist office describes it as a challenging, waymarked hike for experienced walkers only, with a tricky section secured by a cable. Allow about 4 h there and back for the Punta di u Pargulu and about 7 h for the full loop, the return along the main GR20 route being easier.
This is not an outing to improvise: you need good hiking boots, plenty of water, stable weather and mountain experience. If in doubt, a qualified mountain guide can adapt the route to your group.
What about the natural pools of Purcaraccia?
On the Solenzara side, the Purcaraccia canyon draws large crowds. Access is regulated, however: in 2026, a prefectoral order restricted it, from 1 June to 15 October, to people accompanied by a canyoning professional, a measure renewed every year since 2021 after several fatal accidents. The municipality of Quenza has also regulated access to the neighbouring canyons. Find out before you go and use an approved guide.
Safety, weather and fire risk
The Corsican mountains must be earned and respected. Before every outing to the Aiguilles de Bavella, bear these few rules in mind:
- Shoes: walking shoes with grippy soles, even for the Trou de la Bombe walk.
- Water: at least one and a half litres per person in summer, more for longer outings.
- Timing: set off early. Afternoon storms are frequent in the mountains in summer and can break quickly.
- Fire risk: from mid-June to mid-September, a fire-risk map for outdoor activities is published every evening at around 18:00 for the following day. It may recommend limiting your time in the massifs after 11:00, not going in at all, or even announce that some massifs are closed to the public.
- Fire: from 15 June to 30 September at least, lighting fires and smoking in natural areas are prohibited by prefectoral order.
The Bavella massif has already been subject to temporary prefectoral closures on days of extreme risk, when walking there was prohibited. Check the situation the evening before, on the Corse-du-Sud prefecture website or with the tourist office.
Staying at Le Petit Pinarello and exploring Bavella
After a morning at altitude, heading back to the coast is a real pleasure. At the villa, the heated saltwater pool of about 50 m² and the jacuzzi await you, and the fitted summer kitchen facing the pool lets you prepare dinner without leaving the garden. Le Petit Pinarello offers 200 m² and five bedrooms, including two master suites, and sleeps up to ten guests: discover the villa and its bedrooms.
Bavella combines well with other, gentler days: Pinarello beach, about 200 m away on foot, or sights and activities around Porto-Vecchio. Coming as a group? Our guide to planning a stay for 10 in South Corsica will help you plan your days. The villa is available from 650 € per night depending on the season (see the rates): check availability and book your stay.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get to the Aiguilles de Bavella from Pinarello?
The Col de Bavella is about 57 km from Pinarello, or around 1 h 05 min by road along winding mountain roads. In July and August, traffic often makes the journey longer.
Is the Trou de la Bombe hike difficult?
The Alta Rocca tourist office grades it easy: 5,7 km there and back, about 2 h of walking and 244 m of ascent from the Col de Bavella. The final approach to the hole calls for care, and you must not climb it.
Can you visit the Aiguilles de Bavella in summer despite the fire risk?
Yes, but access to the massifs may be discouraged, limited or prohibited depending on the risk level. Check the fire-risk map published every evening at around 18:00 for the following day, from mid-June to mid-September, and set off early in the morning.
