Aiguilles de Bavella: seven granite peaks in the heart of Corsica

Seven needles, several summits

The Aiguilles de Bavella form an alignment of seven abrupt granite peaks, the highest reaching 1855 metres. Further north, the massif culminates at Punta di u Furnellu and Punta Muvrareccia (1899m each). The landscape is mineral and raw: no glaciers, no permanent snow, the needles rising above forests of Laricio pine, an endemic Corsican species whose forms are twisted by the wind.

The panorama from the pass is free and immediate. To the right, the needles. To the left, the valley and the first foothills descending towards the coast. On clear days, the sea is visible to the east.

The Trou de la Bombe trail

The main itinerary from the pass is the trail leading to the Trou de la Bombe, a unique geological formation within the massif. It is a circular opening of eight metres diameter, naturally pierced by wind and rain erosion in the Paliri ridge. The name “bombe” is misleading: no shell excavated this hole, only wind and time, over millennia.

The route is marked in red. From the pass (1218m), allow approximately 2 hours for the loop, with moderate elevation gain. The trail crosses the Laricio pine forest, skirts a few rock slabs, and opens directly onto the Paliri ridge where the hole appears. The view through the opening, towards the needles and as far as the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio on clear days, is one of Corsican hiking’s classics.

The GR20 at the foot of the needles

The GR20, the long-distance hiking trail crossing Corsica from north to south (or vice versa), passes at the foot of the Aiguilles de Bavella during its penultimate stage, stage 15, between the Asinau and Paliri refuges. It is one of the most mineral and photogenic sections of the route.

For non-GR20 hikers, the trail can be tackled occasionally from the pass: descending towards Paliri refuge (allow half a day return) or climbing towards Asinau (long day, to be avoided without experience). The sections at the foot of the needles are among the most picturesque of the entire Corsican trail.

Climbing and alpinism

The Aiguilles de Bavella are one of the premier locations for granite climbing in Corsica. Several multi-pitch routes open onto the more accessible peaks; the classic routes are tackled with a qualified guide. The amateur climber finds their playground on the boulders and short lines near the pass.

When to visit

The pass is accessible from May to October for hiking; the road remains open year-round, but winters are cold and snow is possible. The best window is June and September: bearable heat, few crowds, striking light on the granite. Summer thunderstorms are frequent in late afternoon; aim for an early arrival and descend before 5pm.

Planning a stay in Solenzara

AEC Collection selects and represents villas and apartments in Solenzara and on the eastern coast. Hiking at Bavella, like other inland itineraries, can be undertaken independently or with a qualified guide.