Minitrip in the Niolu valley with donkey

In the early afternoon, in the village of Albertacce, you'll meet the donkey rental company and the donkey that will accompany you along the valley paths, following a section of the GR20. For this first half-day, the aim is to reach the Muricciolu bridge and its mill, once used to grind chestnut flour. Here, the U Viru river, a mountain torrent, meanders between the rocks, forming numerous natural pools that invite you to take a dip. The river rises on the edge of high peaks such as the Cinque Frati (1,986 m) and the Paglia Orba (2,525 m), offering superb mountain panoramas. At the end of the day, after taking your four-legged friend home, you'll return to the village of Albertacce, where you'll spend the night.

You'll reach the starting point of the walk by car. Your companion will already be waiting for you, and together you'll head off into the Valdu Niellu forest. Your first objective will be to reach the Tillerga sheepfolds on the banks of the Golo, the island's longest river. This river, which flows for 90 km before emptying into the Tyrrhenian Sea, has its source near the Ciuttulu di i Mori refuge, at an altitude of almost 2,000 m above sea level. The route then climbs steadily through the forest, where it's not uncommon to come across groups of free-roaming pigs foraging for tubers and insects. You'll then come across the mythical GR20, and following its red and white markings, you'll reach the former ski resort of Vergio, where you'll spend the night.

The path leaves the accommodation and goes deep into a magnificent forest, populated by beech trees with shapes tortured by the elements. The more discreet may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of A Ghjira, the Corsican dormouse. The route, which is very pleasant, winds along an old footpath. This path, created by foresters in the past, facilitated access, surveillance and management of the forest. For centuries, the Laricio pine was used to make boat masts, prized for their length and remarkable qualities. The trail ends not far from the Colga sheepfolds, at the junction of the route up to Lake Nino and the route down to the Popaghja forest house. This is where you will part company with your travelling companion.