The 60-hectare chestnut grove is located at the entrance to Pianello. Some trees are up to 700 years old and have a trunk circumference of 13 metres. Together with hiking trails and historic chapels, Pianello offers its own highlights where landscape and local history meet.
Chestnut Grove and Finding Your Way
The chestnut grove is not signposted; its entrance is before the village in the direction of Zalana. An IGN map is recommended for finding your way. As trail markings and access conditions may change, check local information before your visit. The Sentier de Pianellu / Villages passes through the centuries-old chestnut grove, making it the defining landscape feature of this trail.
Hiking Trails and Stages
The named trails each offer a different focus. The Sentier de Pianellu / Montagne follows in the footsteps of shepherds and introduces local traditions and craftsmanship; it is classified as a PR hiking trail. On the Matra-Pianellu trail, you can experience the surrounding flora and fauna. Alongside the chestnut grove, shepherd life and nature observation are therefore among the themes you can choose to explore on foot.
The stage from I Penti to Pianellu is listed in two sections: I Penti–Valle d’Alesani, 4 hours, and Valle d’Alesani–Pianellu, 4 hours and 30 minutes. The second section is therefore scheduled to take half an hour longer. This breakdown gives you two specific time estimates for the stage instead of a single duration for the entire route.
Chapelle San Petru and Local History
The hamlet of Ostricacce is home to the pre-Romanesque Chapelle San Petru de Pianellu. It served as Pianello’s parish church until 1696. The chapel is also a place of remembrance for the 1703 donation of the Mare e Stagnu estate near Aleria to the municipality of Pianello. The two dates tell different parts of its history: 1696 marks the end of its role as a parish church, while 1703 is the year of the donation commemorated at the site.
The I Sanghuvanni commemoration is also associated with the chapel: candles are lit there on the eve of 29 June. If you plan to attend, confirm locally whether the commemoration is taking place that year.
Festivals, Cheese, and Traditions
The official 2024 cultural calendar lists workshops for tasting Corsican cheeses and pairing cheese with wine at the Festa di A Muntagnera in U Pianellu. The history of transhumance in Pianello was also presented. Culinary discoveries and the history of seasonal shepherd migrations are part of the same festival programme here. If you are planning to attend a later edition, check the programme for that year.
For the San-Vincentu celebration in Pianello, the 2024 cultural calendar describes a procession on 20 August from the Church of Sainte Cécile to the Chapel of Saint Vincent, followed by a solemn Mass. This information describes the programme at the time. If you plan to visit in another year, check the current festival dates.
Relax at the Waterfall
The Bravone Waterfall offers a place to relax in Pianello. Check water conditions and safe access locally. This natural site adds another way to shape your stay, alongside hiking trails, the chestnut grove, and historic chapels.
Discover more destinations: Venzolasca, Santa-Lucia-Di-Moriani, Rogliano, Tallone, Mazzola, Aléria, Olmi-Cappella, Poggio-Di-Venaco.
See the regional travel overview: Haute-Corse.
