Piana: Calanques, hiking trails and churches

For a stay in Piana, you can distinguish between nature, hiking and sacred heritage by focusing on specific destinations. The Calanques define the landscape, trails such as the Sentier Muletier and the Château-Fort trail offer distinct highlights, and the churches bring together art and architectural history. When looking for a hotel in Piana, it is helpful to start by asking whether you want to focus your stay primarily on the landscape, hiking or cultural heritage.

Calanques and forest

The Calanques de Piana consist of striking pink granite rocks with cavities known as tafoni. The Calanques have been on the World Heritage List since 1983. They are easily accessible from Piana. The rocks and their tafoni define the landscape; their inclusion on the World Heritage List is another point of reference for understanding this natural attraction.

Another natural attraction is the Piana territorial forest. It covers 240 hectares, consists of maritime pines and is known for its remarkable biodiversity. Conditions in the forest can vary depending on the season. The natural features are clearly distinct: the Calanques are defined by granite and tafoni, while the forest is characterized by maritime pines and biodiversity.

Hiking trails and planning your time

The Sentier Muletier, also called the “ancien chemin d’Ota à Piana,” was the route connecting Ota and Piana before the road was built. The trail descends via steps to the D81; you can return by road or along the same trail. An official hiking brochure from 2023 gives the round trip as 1 hour 30 minutes. The trailhead at the municipal stadium is 2 km from Piana, in the direction of Porto.

The hike to Capo Rosso begins in Piana, in the direction of Arone. The same official hiking brochure from 2023 gives the round trip as 3 hours 30 minutes. That is two hours longer than the Sentier Muletier round trip—a concrete difference to consider when planning your time. Check the route information for both hikes locally again before setting out.

The Château-Fort trail leads to a platform with a 180-degree panorama. This offers a different named destination from the two hikes described with round-trip times: here, the panorama at the end of the trail is the main highlight.

Churches and architectural history

The parish church of the Assumption of Mary in Piana houses an 18th-century Genoese statue of the Assumption of Mary, which is listed as a historic monument. Medallions by painter Paul Mathieu Lovellini adorn the chancel vault. The statue and medallions bring together distinct artistic references: a dated work of Genoese origin and medallions in the chancel attributed to a named artist.

The Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul was rebuilt in the 17th century on the foundations of an older 11th-century building. The two centuries mark distinct phases of construction: the earlier building and its later reconstruction. The Genoese tower of Turghiu overlooks the Gulf of Porto and adds another structure with its own historical significance to the churches.

Visitor information

The Piana Tourist Office provides visitor information and is located on the town hall square near the post office. If you would like to use this service to plan your trip, check the latest information in advance. This will help you find the office by using the town hall square and nearby post office as reference points.

Discover more destinations: Serra-di-Scopamène, Sainte-Lucie-de-Tallano, Zicavo, Cognocoli-Monticchi, Tolla, Viggianello, Quenza, Sotta

For the regional travel overview: Corse-Du-Sud.