Aiguilles de Bavella — Trou de la Bombe Circuit

The Aiguilles de Bavella — Trou de la Bombe circuit begins at the Col de Bavella car park at 1,218 metres, the most visited mountain pass in Corse-du-Sud, and loops through some of the most dramatic granite pinnacle scenery in the Mediterranean. The circuit takes its name from the Trou de la Bombe, a naturally eroded hole roughly two metres wide punched through a blade of granite at approximately 1,580 metres, visible from a considerable distance on the approach. From the col, the trail initially follows a clear forest path through Laricio pines before climbing steeply onto open scree and polished granite slabs, with a short hands-and-feet scramble required to reach the viewpoint platform overlooking the arch. The circuit then descends across open terrain back to the col, with unobstructed views throughout to the needle-shaped granite spires of the Bavella massif rising above 1,600 metres. The trail is waymarked in orange but requires careful attention on the upper section where cairns guide the way across rocky ground without a fixed path. Total elevation gain is approximately 500 metres on a 7-kilometre loop. A longer variant continues past the Trou de la Bombe towards the Pointe de Paliri ridge, adding roughly 2 kilometres and 200 metres of ascent for panoramic views across to the Sardinian coast on clear days. The Col de Bavella itself has a small chapel, a seasonal restaurant, and a souvenir stand. The road from Zonza or Porto-Vecchio is narrow and winding; large vehicles and campervans should check clearance before committing to the approach. No public transport serves the col.