Strada Vecia Trail, Bonifacio Hike

Hike overview

The Strada Vecia Trail is a hike that follows an old, paved Genoese road lined with dry stone walls. This road once connected Bonifacio to Sartène. The route passes by the iconic Madonetta lighthouse and takes you to the wild beaches of Fazzio and Paragan. The hike is accessible to all and offers magnificent panoramic views of the Bonifacio citadel, limestone cliffs, and port.

Remarks

Presence of posidonia: The beaches of Paragan and, to a lesser extent, Fazzio, have significant deposits of posidonia, a stranded sea grass. The site managers deliberately preserve these accumulations because they play an essential role in protecting the coastline and naturally replenishing the beaches with sand.

Difficulties and description of the hike

This hike does not present any major technical difficulties and is ideal for families. The trail alternates between the old Genoese road and rocky paths through the maquis. Much of the route is shaded by tall maquis plants, which offer welcome protection from the sun in the summer. The trail is not marked, but there are numerous directional signs along the way.

What you'll love

  • The exceptional views of the citadel of Bonifacio perched on its white limestone cliffs, a unique architectural spectacle.
  • The Madonetta lighthouse, an iconic building constructed in 1854 that watches over the maritime entrance to the town.
  • The wild beaches of Fazzio and Paragan, nestled in beautiful coves with turquoise waters.

Hike technical sheet

Activity: Hiking
Difficulty: EasyiDifficulty levels explained here:
➡️ Hiking parameters
Average duration: 3 h 30 miFind out how we calculate the duration here:
➡️ Hiking parameters
Length: 9.5 km
Type of route: Loop
Elevation gain: 300 m
Maximum altitude: 75 m
Vertiginous: NoiVertiginous levels explained here:
➡️ Hiking parameters
Marked: Partially
Popularity: Moderate
Region: Southeast
Start point: 41.39147, 9.16498

Map and elevation profile of the hike

Strada Vecia Trail, Bonifacio Hike