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Capu d'Orto Hike

By François · updated in June 202506/2025My rating

Key facts about the hike

Difficulty
Moderate Hikes are rated from very easy to very hard: my difficulty scale
Duration
5h Estimated time, short breaks included (photos, water, snacks), picnic not included: how it is calculated
Distance
11km
out and back
Elevation gain
860m
Type of route
Out and back
Maximum altitude
1,294 m
Vertiginous Five levels, depending on how exposed the route is: the levels in detail
Slightly
Marked
Partially
Popularity
Moderate
Region
North-West
Start point
42.23979, 8.65451
Activity
Hiking

Hike overview

The Capu d'Orto hike leads to one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Corsica, overlooking the Gulf of Porto and the famous Calanques de Piana from its altitude of 1,294 meters. This red granite peak, a veritable "mountain in the sea," offers spectacular views of the calanques, the gulf, and the magnificent rocky peaks of E Tre Signore rising in the foreground.

The trail first winds through the Piana pine forest, then turns onto rocky and mineral terrain where the panorama gradually reveals itself until reaching the summit.

Map and elevation profile of the hike

Capu d'Orto Hike

Difficulties of the hike

The ascent is divided into two distinct parts: the first half takes place in the forest on a well-marked (orange and green) trail with a steady slope and no particular difficulty.

Once out of the forest, the trail changes dramatically. The climb becomes steeper and the terrain becomes rocky and technical. The markings gradually disappear and are replaced by cairns that must be followed carefully, especially during the last hour of the ascent. Several passages require you to use your hands to climb over boulders, but they are not particularly vertiginous.

What you'll love

  • An exceptional panorama from the summit: a bird's-eye view of the Gulf of Porto, Capo Rosso, Capu di u Vitullu, and to the east the iconic peaks of the Cinto massif including Paglia Orba.
  • The magnificent peaks of E Tre Signore (the Three Ladies) rising majestically in the foreground.
  • The spectacular red granite formations sculpted by erosion.
Capu d'Orto from the road between Évisa and Porto
Capu d'Orto from the road between Évisa and Porto
Information panel at parking lot
Information panel at parking lot
Initial ascent in the forest
Initial ascent in the forest
Cairns showing the trail
Cairns showing the trail
Goats admiring the view...
Goat admiring the view...
Goats admiring the view...
Goats admiring the view...
Gulf of Porto
Gulf of Porto
View north over the Gulf of Porto from the summit
View north over the Gulf of Porto from the summit
Capu di u Vitullu (1331 m)
Capu di u Vitullu (1331 m)
View to the east, with the characteristic peak of Paglia Orba (2525 m) in the center
View to the east, with the characteristic peak of Paglia Orba (2525 m) in the center
Porto
Porto
Porto Beach and Tower
Porto Beach and Tower
Port of Porto
Port of Porto
E Tre Signore (1146 m) overlooking the Gulf of Porto
E Tre Signore (1146 m) overlooking the Gulf of Porto
Gulf of Porto
Gulf of Porto
Paglia Orba
Paglia Orba
Capu di u Vitullu
Capu di u Vitullu
Capu d'Orto – photo 18
Sunset on the Paglia Orba
Sunset on the Paglia Orba
Capo Rosso
Capo Rosso
Panorama north
Panorama north
Paglia Orba at sunset
Paglia Orba at sunset
Gulf of Porto
Gulf of Porto
Porto
Porto
Early evening on Porto
Early evening on Porto
Tower of Porto
Tower of Porto

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Printed from www.horizonrando.fr/en/corsica/capu-dorto/