Capiaghja Sheepfolds in Bocognano
Isolated in the Gravona valley, the Bergeries de Capiaghja are located 4km as the crow flies to the east-north-east of Bocognano at the foot of Monte Renoso. It's less than an hour's walk through the river, forest and mountains.
Upstream of the Gravona
It all starts at the Sellola bridge over the Gravona between Vizzavona and Bocognano.
There is a setback where you can easily park a few cars. The start of the route follows the course of the Gravona river, before it is hidden by vegetation some fifty metres below.
It is in the Renosu massif that the Gravona rises, its limpid water tumbling down the rocks with varying degrees of noise depending on the season, and the river can be dangerous if it has rained recently.
The path through the forest
The ascent takes you through a forest of beech trees, which in autumn dress the whole forest in an orange coat. There are also holly trees several metres high, as well as oaks and scattered chestnut trees.
A sense of freedom and isolation emerges as you make your way along, in the restful calm of nature's many charms.
A number of signs point the way to the sheepfolds or to other hiking routes.
The Capiaghja sheepfolds
The Capiaghja sheepfolds are set deep in the mountains, several stone buildings surrounded by peaks, including Renosu at 2352 metres. A fenced-in fountain - a funtana di a Capiaghja - is tapped at an altitude of 1050 metres, in the middle of Caseddi.
A steep, very rocky mountain slope allows you to quickly gain height, offering a lovely view over the valley.
The Capiaghja sheepfolds are still in operation in unspoilt areas, under the watchful eye of sheepdogs. Etymologically, piaghja in Corsican defines a transhumance area.
Hiking trails link Vizzavona with the villages of Bocognano, Tavera and, further afield, Bastelica.
