The 5 most Beautiful Lakes in Corsica

Important: Since 2023, the Restonica Valley road has been inaccessible by car or shuttle bus beyond the Frasseta Bridge. This considerably lengthens the hike...

The hike to the Melo and Capitello lakes, located in the beautiful Restonica Valley, is one of the most popular routes in Corsica. This route takes you to two exceptional glacial lakes: Lake Melo, located at an elevation of 1,711 meters, and Lake Capitello, located at an elevation of 1,930 meters and the deepest mountain lake on the island at 42 meters deep.

The lakes are surrounded by majestic peaks, including Lombarduccio (2,261 m), Capitello (2,245 m), and Pointe des Sept Lacs (2,266 m), which form a spectacular rocky amphitheater. Accessible from the Grotelle sheepfolds, the lakes attract a large crowd in the summer, with over 1,000 visitors per day. This can detract from the tranquility often sought in the mountains.

The Lake Nino hike takes you to one of Corsica's natural wonders. Located at an altitude of 1,743 meters on the Camputile plateau, the lake is surrounded by numerous pozzines, small peat bogs dotted with interconnected water holes. The lake is the source of the Tavignanu, the second longest river on the island.

The hike begins with a walk through the magnificent Valdu Niellu forest, shaded by Laricio pines. Then, the route becomes more technical as it climbs toward Bocca a Stazzona. There, you can admire a magnificent panorama of Lake Nino with the Rotondo massif in the background. This route is very popular with hikers and offers a unique natural spectacle: horses and cows grazing freely in an exceptional setting.

The hike to Lake Oriente leads to one of the most beautiful lakes in Corsica. Nestled at an altitude of over 2,000 meters in a mineral cirque at the foot of Monte Rotondo (2,622 m), the island's second highest peak.

Unlike the neighboring lakes of Melo and Capitello, Oriente remains unspoiled by crowds, offering a peaceful getaway in a wild and majestic setting. Be sure to extend your walk a few hundred meters beyond the lake to see it from its best angle!

Prepare for an unforgettable hike to the 2,352-meter summit of Monte Renoso. Due to the high starting point of the small Capannelle-Ghisoni ski resort, which sits at an elevation of over 1,600 meters, the elevation gain on this hike is relatively low. This makes Monte Renoso one of the most accessible 2,000-meter peaks in Corsica.

At the summit, you will be rewarded with an exceptional 360° panorama. On a clear day, you can see the Mediterranean Sea to the east and west, as well as the great peaks of central Corsica. The route passes through magnificent landscapes, including the green pozzines of the Pizzolo stream and the stunning Lake Bastani.

Important: Since 2023, the Restonica Valley road has been inaccessible by car or shuttle bus beyond the Frasseta Bridge. This considerably lengthens the hike.

The hike to the Small and Large Rinoso Lakes provides access to two lesser-known gems of the Upper Restonica Valley, located at 2,082 and 2,065 meters above sea level, respectively. Though much less frequented than their famous neighbors, the Melo and Capitello lakes, they have remarkable charm and are a true haven of peace in a mineral environment.