Ortale combines hiking trails with traces of older architecture. The village offers a variety of options for planning a visit: a loop trail, a very accessible, shaded path below the village, and a longer route for experienced hikers. There is also the option of a detour to the Bussu River and the historic road to Cervione.

Hiking routes with different profiles

At 11.5 kilometres, the Boucle 24 is almost three times as long as the 3.8-kilometre Boucle 25 and is intended for experienced hikers; it can be started in Ortale. The Boucle 25 can be reached from Ortale and is recommended for a family outing.

The Boucle Santa Maria adds a very accessible, shaded path below the village to the selection. In terms of time, its walking time of just under an hour compares with around 1 hour and 30 minutes for the Boucle 25. The 25 is also a loop. This makes it possible to compare the two trails by walking time and route type.

Other trails and landscape connections

A detour to the Bussu can extend the Boucle Santa Maria; the river runs through the Alesani Valley. Conditions for accessing the water can vary. If you plan to make the detour, check current access conditions in advance.

The “Mare a Mare Nord” long-distance trail runs near Ortale. The old drivable “Théodore” road connects Ortale with Cervione. A 31-kilometre trail passes by all the villages of Alesani, sometimes close to them and sometimes farther away. The L’Alisgianinca Trail organisation is run by volunteers who work to open or reopen trails. This trail covers a different geographical scale from the local routes: it takes in all the villages of Alesani, while the Boucle Santa Maria runs below the village. It is worth checking current trail conditions before setting out, as they can change.

Romanesque chapel and historic lanes

Not far from the present-day village, the 9th-century Romanesque chapel of Santa Maria is still visible. A historical account published in 2016 suggests that the present main church, Santa Maria Assunta, was probably built in the 17th century to replace a 9th-century Romanesque chapel. Ortale’s historic lanes include old manor houses. The chapel and the main church represent different periods in the history of religious architecture; the manor houses add to the character of the lanes.

Chataîgne Passion in December

In December, Ortale hosts “Chataîgne Passion,” a chestnut festival. This cultural event adds to the activities available beyond the trails. If you want to plan your stay around the festival, check the specific event dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Lama, Scata, Moriani-Plage, Castellare-Di-Casinca, Cervione, Luri, Erbalunga, Erbajolo

Back to the overview of the region: Haute-Corse.