Restonica shuttle 2026 from Corte: timetable, booking and hike to Lake Melo and Lake Capitello
C13 line, booking on Via Corsica, summer 2026 timetables and departure from A Frasseta: everything you need to reach Lake Melo and Lake Capitello.
2026 season: the Restonica shuttle (C13 line) runs daily from 1 May to 30 September 2026, from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm depending on the period. Booking is mandatory via the Via Corsica app, from Corte (no mobile signal in the valley). Return fare: €4 (free for children under 8). Source: Collectivité de Corse / Isula.
Lake Melo and Lake Capitello, known as Melu and Capitellu in Corsican, are among the most spectacular landscapes on the island. Since the storms of 2023, access to the Restonica valley has been reorganised: the road is regulated, parking is limited, and a shuttle now links Corte station to the trailhead. If you are planning this hike in 2026, here is how to organise your day in practical terms.
The Restonica C13 shuttle at a glance
Line C13, operated by the Collectivité de Corse and run by Autocars Cortenais, serves the Restonica valley from 1 May to 30 September. It was introduced to improve access to the rebuilt hiking trails after the damage caused by storms Ciaran and Domingos in November 2023.
In peak season, up to four 22-seat minibuses provide regular services between Corte station and the head of the valley. This is now the simplest way to reach the start of the hike to Lake Melo and Lake Capitello, especially if you travel by train or want to avoid searching for a space in Corte car parks in July and August.
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Service period | 1 May to 30 September 2026, daily |
| Operating hours | 6:30 am to 8:00 pm depending on the period (see below) |
| Fare | €4 return (free for children under 8) |
| Booking | Mandatory via the Via Corsica app (no sales on board) |
| Departure point | Corte station (Corti Gara), opposite the Santos Manfredi stadium |
| Hiking terminus | A Frasseta, start of the trail to the Grotelle sheepfolds and the lakes |
Booking your seat (mandatory)
Tickets cannot be bought on board: no cash, no payment on the bus. Everything goes through the Via Corsica app (M'Ticket Corsica Via Restonica), available on iPhone and Android.
Select your outbound and return journeys when booking. In July and August, book early as each vehicle has only 22 seats.
Three things to remember before boarding:
- Book from Corte (or any area with mobile coverage): in the valley, signal is virtually non-existent, except intermittently near the Grotelle sheepfolds.
- Stick to your time slot: services run to a tight schedule, especially in July and August.
- Show your ticket when boarding, outbound and return, from the app.
Stops and the A Frasseta terminus
The shuttle serves six stops between Corte and the head of the valley:
- Corti Gara (Corte station)
- Fontaine Saint-Antoine
- Chjarasgiolu
- Tuani (car access limit for unauthorised vehicles)
- Riviseccu
- A Frasseta (terminus, start of the hike)
The journey between Corte station and A Frasseta takes about 35 minutes. If you come by car, you can park in one of the P1 to P6 car parks shown on the official map, all located in Corte, then take the shuttle. Motor vehicles may drive as far as Tuani. Beyond that, traffic is prohibited except for shuttles, authorised users and bicycles.
Summer 2026 timetables
Timetables vary across two periods. In July and August (4 July to 1 September), services are more frequent, sometimes every 20 to 30 minutes at peak times. In May-June and September (1 May to 3 July, then 2 to 30 September), the service still runs daily but with fewer departures.
Sample first departures from Corte station
| Period | First departure (Corti Gara) | Last departure (Corti Gara) | Indicative frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| May, June, September | 7:00 am | 6:00 pm | About hourly, with extra services around midday |
| July and August | 6:30 am | 7:05 pm | Every 20 to 30 min at peak times |
For the return from A Frasseta, the last departure is around 7:42 pm in July and August (arrival at Corte station around 8:17 pm) and around 6:37 pm outside peak season. Always check the exact time of your slot when booking.
Download the timetable (PDF)
We host the official Collectivité de Corse document for the 2026 season on this site. It includes the stop map, P1 to P6 car parks in Corte and full timetables in both directions.
To book or check for updates, see the official page: Navetta Restonica C13 on Isula.corsica.
Book our studio direct, with no platform fees.
Hike to Lake Melo and Lake Capitello
From the A Frasseta terminus, a rebuilt trail leads to the Grotelle sheepfolds, then to the two glacial lakes of the Rotondo massif. This is one of the finest hikes in Corsica, but it requires good fitness from the new starting point.
Hike profile (round trip from A Frasseta)
| Stage | Distance / duration | Elevation |
|---|---|---|
| A Frasseta → Grotelle sheepfolds | About 4 h round trip | Gradual climb along the valley floor |
| Lake Melo (from A Frasseta) | About 5 to 6 h round trip | +350 m approx. |
| Melo → Lake Capitello (1,930 m) | About 40 to 50 min outbound | +220 m approx. |
| Total to Lake Capitello | About 7 h walking | +1,100 m |
The route is marked in red, but it remains demanding. It includes steep, equipped sections, notably ladders before Lake Melo, then more rocky terrain up to Lake Capitello. It is not recommended in bad weather and requires good physical condition. If you prefer to stop at Lake Melo, allow about 5 to 6 hours walking round trip from A Frasseta. To continue to Lake Capitello, plan about 7 hours walking in total, breaks not included.
How much time to allow? Take an early shuttle (first departure 6:30 or 7:00 am depending on the period), select your return when booking, and keep a margin. For Lake Capitello, allow a full day.
Practical tips
- Hiking boots with ankle support, at least 2 litres of water per person in summer, a sun hat and a windproof jacket: the weather changes quickly at altitude.
- Train + shuttle: if you arrive by train at Corte station, the shuttle departs right next door. Allow a comfortable connection time.
- Car: park in one of the P1 to P6 car parks in Corte (station, stadium, swimming pool, campuses), then take the shuttle from the station.
- Respect the site: the Restonica is protected and very busy. Take your litter with you, stay on the trails, swimming is forbidden in the lakes.
Staying in Corte for the Restonica
Our studio is at the start of the Restonica valley, a ten-minute walk from the town centre and Corte station. You can book the shuttle in advance from there, take the first departure, and return in the evening without using the car. It is also a practical base for swimming in the gorges, a lighter outing, or preparing for the GR20.
This article is based on publications from the Collectivité de Corse. Timetables last updated: July 2026.
