Overview
Cima a i Mori is the western ending and culmination point of the Aiguilles the Popolascia and Rundinara. The ridgeline divides Asco and Niolo valleys and therefore the summit provides an excellent panorama. Based on the summit logbook, the peak is accessed seldom (less than ten logs per year) and the standard route is quite long (about 1500m of ascent) and marked not too obvious.
Getting There
From Ponte Leccia resp. Corte via D18 or D118 to Castiglione. Sufficient parking possibilities at the entrance of the village or on a small parking below the D-road (signposted). Plan about 1h driving from L'Ile Rousse or Bastia. No public travel.
Route
Apart from a not too informative table right at the parking, this Trail is not marked or signed! Traces, Cairns and a good sense of orientation are mandatory. In general, ascend the Terrivola Valley -- problem is, this rocky gorge of the Ruisseau is not very accessible in the lower part. So from the three paths, that leave Castiglione in direction to this valley, follow the middle one: The bottom one descends steeply to the Ruisseau and ends at a (rotten) Bridge. The upper one ascends from the church to a reservoir and will not cross the Ruisseau. The medium continues is almos level to the bridge across Ruisseau Terrivola and then zig-zags one a quite good path in southern direction to the chestnut wood of Paduli.
When crossing the source unter the chestnut trees after about 40-50 minutes you have two options: Either continue S-SO and gain P.1062 from the IGN and join the red-dotted path upwards back into Terrivola valley; or short-cut upwards through the Macchia (N/NE) to gain the ridge of P.1050 and follow this ridge on the southern (left) side to the small pasture at about 1315m, where both options meet again.
From here, path and direction (into the valley, on the southern flank) are obvious and cairns are found regularly. Impressive view on the pinnacles of Popolascia (right hand side) and Rondinara (left hand side). Wild pigs live here, so be careful!
The path continues with some up&down till Bergerie Scaffa, which is situated below a big, natural roof.
Stay on the (orografical) right side of the creek, until few minutes later the crossing is marked. The terrain becomes more straightforward, as the vegetation decreases to little junipers and similar. To the left now, severeal small rocks mark the Cima a i Mori summit. Follow the traces and do not cross to the Niolo side, as some of the cairns here indicate a crossing into this valley.
The last twenty meters contain easy scrambling on solid granite rocks, UIAA I or less. Below little the summit cross a log is hidden, esthetically drawn and illustrated from an austrian mountaineer. Only about 10...20 persons per year sign the book.
Red Tape
The usual issues in the parc naturel.
When to Climb
As the terrain more or less easy, this could even go for a ski tour in winter. Late spring and early autumn are the best season regarding heat versus length of the day; summer is also possible of course, but early start very recommended.
Camping
Domaine de Griggionee right after Ponte Leccia and CP Campite above Francardo, both at the Golo River. Some more kilometers away, three to four CPs are found in the lower Asco valley.
One sentence to the "bivy zone" at the Bergerie Scaffa: The "grotto" won't save you bringing a tent, as the roof only shelters the inclined rock slabs and not the leveled area.
External Links
Very good trip report:
http://paglia.orba.free.fr/gr/gr13mori.htm
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