Marcheurs Sentier Strada Vecia Bonifacio

In the footsteps of our heritageStrada Vecia unveils the history of the Bonifacian countryside

Strada Vecia trail

Its name, Strada Vecia, says it all: this road is old, very old indeed, dating back to Genoese times when it linked Bonifacio to Sartène, some 45 kilometers away. A large section of the road can still be travelled, overlooking magnificent landscapes of maquis and wild beaches where you can stop for a swim or a picnic…

Oec Chemin Pierreux Sentier Strada Vecia Bonifacio

Stony path through the countryside

If you like the unusual, you’ll love the Strada Vecia walk: a stony path winding through the maquis, revealing or guessing lime kilns and baracuns, the typical stone shelters used by the pialinchi (Bonifacian peasants). It’s a trail where animals roam among the maquis and endemic plants, giving it a unique character. The Strada Vecia path links Bonifacio to Paragan beach, and extends as far as the Ermitage de la Trinité. It skirts the Fazziò cove and its beach, just as wild as the surrounding area. It offers a close-up view of the Madonetta lighthouse, which watches over the Narrows, the town’s maritime entrance. The Strada Vecia trail has plenty to seduce you.

“The Strada Vecia trail is very beautiful, but, in summer, you’ll need to remember your water bottle and cap, as you’ll alternate between sun and shade, and won’t find a watering hole.”

The Madonetta lighthouse keeps watch

The Madonetta lighthouse stands at the bow of ships before they enter the Narrows. A small edifice that has not been manned since 1939 and the departure of its last keeper, Assomption Muriani, the Madonetta lighthouse has watched over Bonifacio’s maritime entrance since 1854. The Strada Vecia allows you to get as close as possible to the lighthouse, and the repair work undertaken by the Conservatoire du Littoral on this dirt and white rock path means that you can now approach it in complete safety. The panorama that unfolds before your eyes is awe-inspiring, taking in the sea cemetery and Sardinia all at once, not to mention the waves that enliven the Bouches de Bonifacio strait on windy days. With less than an hour’s walk, it’s well worth the effort.

June 2 is the feast of Saint Erasmus, or San Teramu in Corsican. At sea, in front of the Madonetta, the town’s clerics throw wreaths of flowers into the water, in memory of the dead. Saint Erasmus is the patron saint of seafarers, while the Madonetta is a protective figure who is summoned when you arrive at sea.

Breathtaking view of the cliffs

The white of the limestone, the sound of foam washing up on the rocks and the cries of gulls and other birds… When you arrive at the Madonetta lighthouse, this landscape at the end of the world awaits you, with, if you’re lucky, a magnificent view of Sardinia. In winter, you’ll think you’re all alone in the world. In summer, the scents of the maquis mingle with the sights…

The calm of the maquis

The Strada Vecia is undoubtedly the best way to discover the Bonifacian countryside, to enjoy the peace and quiet of the maquis, and to see at close quarters the vestiges of the agro-pastoral life of not so long ago. La Strada Vecia is a journey back in time, taking you to secluded coves where, even in fine weather, you can enjoy a quiet moment by the water.