Forêt de Valdo Niello

On the Corsica drving tour, after the Porto valley, the road now runs through the beautiful forest of Aïtone, over the Col de Vergio (1464 m/4803ft), the highest pass in Corsica, and through the Valdo-Niello Forest with its Corsican pines to Calacuccia, chief place in the Niolo basin, a good center for excursions in the surrounding area and a good base from which to climb Corsica's highest mountain, Monte Cinto (2,710 m/8,891ft; 7-1/2 hrs with guide). From the summit there are magnificent panoramic views.

The route continues through the rocky valley, which narrows into the Scala di Santa Regina, a gorge enclosed by rock walls over 1,000 m/3,300ft high, and then either on the direct road to Corte via the village of Castirla or on the slightly longer road via Francardo.

Those who prefer the Francardo road will find it well worth while to make a side trip into the upland region of Castagniccia with its forests of chestnut trees. The principal village, Piedicroce d'Orezza, is the base from which to climb Monte San Petrone (1,766 m/5,794ft; 2-1/2 hrs).