Hikes in Soccia

Great viewpoint above the south of Creno Lake

From Castel de Vergio to Manganu (GR 20 North)

Easy hike to an idyllic forest lakeThe small Crenosee, surrounded by pine forests and torn by grass islands, is an easily accessible and thus frequently visited hiking destination. The swampy lake is not very suitable for swimming, but near the shore there are some nice picnic spots where pigs lurk for hikers' leftovers. In any case, the tour should be combined with an ascent to the chapel on the scenic Monte Sant'Eliseo.

GR20 North

Lac de Creno is Corsica’s only natural lake below the tree line. All 39 of the others are located in treeless mountainous regions and were formed by glaciers during the Ice Age. Lac de Creno, too, lies within a glacier-carved basin that is 6 meters deep and filled with water after the glaciers melted. Over time, small marshes have formed along the shores, which—together with the water lilies and the magnificent pine forest lining the banks—create an exceptionally idyllic setting. Not only tourists but also the Corsicans themselves come here to spend a leisurely afternoon. However, getting to the upper Liamone Valley is a bit of a trek, as it lies off the main roads and coastal routes.  The heavily traveled trail begins four kilometers above the village of Soccia at a parking lot at 1,010 meters above sea level. We still have to follow the road for a short distance to a farmstead until an iron cross and a water basin mark the turnoff onto the hiking trail. At first, we hike through a slope overgrown with bushes that descends into the valley of the Ruisseau de Zoicu. Soon, however, we enter the wooded area 02, which is initially dominated by mighty sweet chestnut trees. The main ascent takes about an hour and ends at a wooded saddle that already lies within the shady pine forest. Here, our route turns right, and we’re immediately greeted by the picturesque Lac de Creno 03, its oval shape glowing through the dark tree trunks. We only have to walk a few meters downhill to reach the shore, where there are lovely picnic areas. Walking around the small lake takes only 10 minutes and can be done on a narrow forest trail. Near the shore, we see the nature park visitor center of the Parc Naturel Régional, which also features an information board. We shouldn’t miss the opportunity to take a detour to the cliff edge on the southwest side of the lake, from which a magnificent view opens up through the pine forest toward the southern mountains of Corsica. Those who do not wish to return to the starting point via the same route can take the trail that begins on the north shore—roughly near the nature park’s stone hut—and leads to the summit of Monte Sant’Eliseo 04. This involves a 200-meter climb up the forested northern slope. The summit offers a magnificent panoramic view of the secluded mountain landscape; in addition, a small chapel has been built just below it. From the summit, a path marked with cairns leads down to the trail leading up to the lake and joins it about halfway down. From this fork in the trail, it’s about a 30-minute walk back to the starting point if you turn left.

Outdoor Enthusiast Top Trails 2012. The best known network of European long distance paths are the GR routes – Grande Randonnée (France) /Gran Recorrido (Spain)

Longue étape de transition de Ciottulu a i Mori àManganu