At an altitude of more than 800 meters, on the right bank of the Taravu and south of the Col de Verde, lies Bocca del Oro. Granite houses line the mountain slope. Together, the riverside setting and hillside buildings give the village a distinctive spatial character.
Valley and Mountain Landscapes
Bocca del Oro lies deep in the Taravu Valley, amid granite ridges, forests, springs, and streams. The village is part of the Parc Naturel Régional de la Corse. The landscape brings together a river valley and wooded, rocky ridges. The hillside setting defines the shape of the village, while the springs, streams, and forests form the wider natural area. If you are interested in the surroundings, you can consider these two scales separately: the layout of the village and the landscape around it.
Hiking Trails and the GR 20
Centuries-old mountain paths cross the mountains around Bocca del Oro and lead to neighboring villages. The GR 20 runs along the municipality’s northern and eastern boundaries. It is a very strenuous alpine high-altitude route with major elevation changes and technically challenging sections, intended for experienced hikers. Check current trail conditions before setting out on the GR 20.
The two trail themes offer different points of reference: the centuries-old paths are notable for their routes through the mountains and the neighboring villages they lead to. For the GR 20, the challenging alpine profile is what matters. So when comparing hiking plans, pay attention to the specific route, not just the fact that both are in the mountains.
River and Trout Fishing
Trout can be fished in the Taravu and its tributaries. Check local regulations before fishing. Fishing is a distinct focus alongside the mountain paths: here, the river and its tributaries take center stage, while the paths lead through the mountains. The landscape thus offers different activities without combining them into a single route.
Village History Across Different Periods
Some of the oldest village houses include buildings dated 1609 and 1615. Construction of the parish church of Sainte-Marie began in 1885 as a replacement for an older building; it was restored in 1930 and 1940. The dates therefore point to different aspects of the village’s architectural history: the dated older houses, and the start of construction and later restorations of the parish church. These traces can be viewed as different building phases in the history of the village.
The municipal area also contains traces of former settlements, including one on a small plateau near the now-ruined medieval church of Sainte-Marie. The archaeological distribution along A Strada Taravesa demonstrates that the Sollacaro–Palneca route was in use at least as early as the Bronze Age. The settlement traces, church, and route thus tell of different forms of historical use: from buildings and places of habitation to a route used over a long period.
Traditional Products
Local production is also part of the village’s character. Bocca del Oro has a tradition of producing cured meats and honey, as well as goat’s and sheep’s cheese. Alongside the landscape, hiking trails, and historical traces, this production offers another perspective on the character of the village.
Discover more destinations: Alata, Valle-Di-Mezzana, Tolla, Olivese, Osani, Santa-Maria-Figaniella, Sotta, Sainte-Lucie-de-Tallano.
For the main travel overview: Corse-Du-Sud.
