The flora of Corsica

We reach the Bergerie de Grotelle where we leave the car; keep in mind that this place is very crowded during summer so, if you arrive late in the morning, you might be forced to leave the car far along the road (the car park opens at 5.30 and costs 6€ per day. If you arrive when the car park is still closed, you can pay once you come back. It is possible to park the car for several days, but it is not allowed to sleep here). The path starts on the right side of the Bergerie, well evident and yellow marked. If we set off early, we can enjoy walking under a pleasant shade along the way up to the Lac di Melo. The track rises steadily along the orographic left hand side of the Restonica and, although the valley is quite open, it is dominated by imposing rock faces. In short we arrive at the Bergerie de Melo, at

an altitude of 1550m, offering the possibility to taste typical products at wooden tables placed on the sides of the path. In this section, it is easy to come across shepherds with mules, used for carrying materials from and to the Bergerie, beyond which we arrive at a small grassy plain where the path splits(3). Here we have the possibility to choose two different ways, one going uphill and the other downhill. Turning into the track to our right, along the orographic left hand side of the river, the climb is immediately steep, passing through an easy rocky section on beautiful granite slabs, presenting some sections equipped with chains and ladders(4) (not totally necessary and very polished due to frequent passages) and taking us to the lake’s plain; choosing the other way, instead, we cross the river heading towards the great rock faces in front