The Vizzavona Forest, the Sentier de Pasciola and the hike to Monte d’Oro give Vivario different focal points for a stay. Before choosing a hotel in Vivario, you can consider whether you would like to focus primarily on woodland scenery, hiking trails or cultural sites. The different starting points, elevations and destinations help distinguish between nature and cultural interests.
Vizzavona Forest and Landscape
The Vizzavona Forest is part of Vivario and stretches from the Col de Vizzavona to Monte d’Oro. It also includes the hamlets of Tattone and Vizzavona. A large part of the forest protects Natura 2000 habitats. The village of Vivario and its hamlets lie among Laricio pines, beech trees, cedars and wild orchids. The forest and settlements together form part of the landscape that shapes a stay in Vivario.
Hikes with Different Destinations
The GR20 crosses the Vizzavona Forest via the Cascade des Anglais and the hamlet of Vizzavona. The path to the Cascade des Anglais starts at Vizzavona railway station, crosses two footbridges and follows the shaded GR20 forest trail to the waterfall at an elevation of 1,092 m.
The route to Monte d’Oro starts beside the chapel near Vizzavona railway station, at an elevation of 920 m. The summit reaches 2,389 m. The hike is classified as difficult and has an elevation gain of 1,400 m. The hiking destinations therefore differ considerably: the Cascade route focuses on the shaded path, two bridges and the waterfall, while the Monte d’Oro route focuses on the difficult hike and elevation gain.
The route through the Manganellu Valley offers a different kind of experience. It follows the Manganellu River and passes numerous swimming spots. The starting point is at Pont de Mulinellu, two kilometres before the hamlet of Canaglia. There is a car park there, where parking is recommended. The river and swimming spots give this route a different focus from the two trails to the Cascade and the summit.
Fort, Church and Chapels
The Sentier de Pasciola is a PR hiking trail. It starts in the Vizzavona Forest and leads to the Fortin de Pasciola and the village of Vivario. You can also start the trail in the village, at its railway station, or at the Tattone and Savaggio railway stations. The fort was built in 1771; its remains were classified as a historic monument in 1977.
The Church of Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens is in the heart of Vivario and has a classic three-storey bell tower. Another religious landmark is the Notre-Dame-de-la-Forêt Chapel in Vizzavona: the celebration of Notre-Dame du Mont-Carmel takes place there on 16 July. The church, fort and chapel offer different points of cultural and historical interest alongside the hiking trails.
Seasonal Activities in the Forest
Depending on the season, you can enjoy activities such as treetop adventure courses, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing and sledging in the Vizzavona Forest. Vizzavona Parc Aventure offers a four-hour adventure activity in the forest near the Cascades des Anglais. The provider’s sporting activities include treetop adventure courses, canyoning, hiking, caving, Via Ferrata and mountain biking; some activities may be seasonal.
The forest activity offered by Vizzavona Parc Aventure has a stated minimum age of three years. As operator rules may change and some activities are seasonal, check the current age requirement and seasonal availability before planning.
Getting There
The Vizzavona Forest can be reached by car via the T20 or by train. When planning your stay, you can consider these ways of getting there alongside the starting points of your hikes.
Discover more destinations: Moltifao, Ersa, Pigna, Bastia, San-Martino-Di-Lota, Taglio-Isolaccio, Omessa, Valle-di-Rostino.
Go to the regional travel overview: Haute-Corse.
