Col de Vizzavona, Mountain pass in Bocognano, Corsica, France
Col de Vizzavona is a mountain pass in the center of Corsica, sitting at around 1,163 feet (1,163 m) above sea level and linking the road between Ajaccio and Corte. The road winds through forests of Laricio pines and beech trees, with rocky slopes rising on either side toward nearby summits like Monte d'Oro.
In the late 1800s, a railway tunnel was built through the pass and a small village grew around the Vizzavona station. The rise of long-distance hiking, especially the GR20 trail from the 1970s onward, brought new life to the area after years of decline.
The Col de Vizzavona marks the midpoint of the GR20, a long-distance walking route that crosses Corsica from north to south. During the hiking season, the small village at the pass fills with walkers stopping to rest before continuing their journey.
The road through the pass has many sharp bends and can become slippery in bad weather, so it is worth driving slowly and carefully. In winter, snow and ice can make crossing difficult, so checking conditions before setting out is a good habit.
Although most visitors arrive by car, the pass can also be reached by train: the narrow-gauge railway between Ajaccio and Bastia stops right at Vizzavona station. The train passes through the mountain via the 19th-century tunnel, offering a very different view of the landscape.
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