Bois des Anglais and the ridge trail in Ajaccio.

A short walk above the city, among maquis, sea views and the history of tourism in Ajaccio.

Walks around Ajaccio

An easy walk when you want to get some height.

The Bois des Anglais marks the transition between built-up Ajaccio and the first natural hills. The walk starts above Place d'Austerlitz, then the ridge trail (sentier des crêtes) takes you through strawberry trees, holm oaks, olive trees and maquis plants.

Practical details: 4.91 km, about 50 minutes, altitude 79 to 329 m, about 250 m of climb, easy. The route is short but exposed to the sun in places.

A good option to round off a day in town: market, museum, old town or harbour in the morning, then a walk above Ajaccio before heading back to Ruppione.

See the Villages de Corse page (in French)Also read: a history day out

View from the Bois des Anglais walk in Ajaccio

Photo notebook

The Bois des Anglais in pictures

Views over Ajaccio, the trail and the maquis above the city.

Photos

The trail in pictures.

View over Ajaccio from the Bois des Anglais walk

Trail of the Bois des Anglais walk in Ajaccio

What to bring

A simple walk, but not one to do without water.

The route is short and easy but, as often around Ajaccio, shade can be scarce. Aim for the morning, late afternoon or the milder seasons. From the villa, this walk works best as part of a day in Ajaccio.

The Bois des Anglais, Ajaccio's green lung.

Twenty minutes by car from Ruppione, the Bois des Anglais is one of the most accessible walks from our residence. This wooded park, right in Ajaccio, offers a shaded route that climbs gradually to the heights of the city, up to the ridges overlooking the bay.

The walk is ideal in the morning, before the summer heat sets in. In spring and autumn you can go at any time of day. Allow 1h30 to 2h30 for a relaxed round trip with photo stops.

The ridge trail: a view over the whole bay.

Beyond the Bois des Anglais, the ridge trail reaches outstanding viewpoints over the Bay of Ajaccio, the Sanguinaires islands and, on clear days, as far as the coast of Sardinia. This is where you really understand the geography of the south shore: Ruppione, Isolella, the Céténaves, then the bay opening out to the open sea.

The climb stays moderate — about 200 metres on the main section — but the ground can be slippery in wet weather. Walking shoes recommended. Bring water, especially in summer.

How to get there from Ruppione?

From Villa Iché-Poggi, take the Porticcio road towards Ajaccio. The most common starting point is the Les Cannes district, where several free car parks let you leave the car. Allow 18 to 22 minutes depending on high-season traffic.

The walk combines easily with a visit to Ajaccio's historic centre — Maison Bonaparte, covered market, marina — for a full day without rushing.

A simple walk, but not one to do without water.

The Bois des Anglais suits all levels. Families with children can stop at the first viewpoints; keener walkers will continue to the ridges. Outside high summer, you can do it in the morning and be back on Ruppione beach by early afternoon.

It is the kind of outing that balances a stay perfectly: a morning walk, a picnic overlooking the bay, and the waters of Ruppione to end the day.

The Bois des Anglais, a historic route above Ajaccio

The Bois des Anglais ("English Wood") owes its name to the British residents who settled in Ajaccio in the 19th century and helped lay out this woodland as a place to stroll. Today it is one of the city's best-loved green spaces: pines, eucalyptus and a natural coolness that is very welcome from the first hot days of June. The ridge trail starts at the edge of the wood and climbs gradually to the heights above the Bay of Ajaccio.

The climb takes 45 minutes to 1h15 depending on your pace. The panorama at the top opens onto the Gulf of Ajaccio, the Sanguinaires islands, the Parata peninsula and, on clear days, the beginning of the south shore where Ruppione lies. It is one of the best viewpoints you can reach on foot from the city.

Panoramic view over the Bay of Ajaccio from the ridge trail in the Bois des Anglais

Combining the Bois des Anglais with the rest of your stay

From Villa Iché-Poggi, Ajaccio is 20 to 30 minutes by road. The ideal plan: leave early for the Bois des Anglais, climb to the ridges, head back to the centre of Ajaccio for lunch (old town, market, Tino Rossi harbour), then return to Ruppione in the early afternoon for the beach.

This rhythm — town in the morning, sea in the afternoon — is one of the favourite ways for families staying at the villa to organise their days. It gives the week a pace without tiring the children, and lets you enjoy the full range of the area: mountains, town and sea in a single day.