The Saltaruccio is 14.97 kilometres (9.30 mi) long and flows through the communes of Lugo-di-Nazza and Poggio-di-Nazza.

It continues in a generally east-southeast direction to its confluence with the Fiumorbo to the northwest of the town of Ghisonaccia.

[2] The Saltaruccio flows through the Forêts du Fiumorbu, designated as a Zone naturelle d'intérêt écologique, faunistique et floristique (ZNIEFF).

This includes the upper and middle watershed of the Abatesco and tributaries of the Fium'Orbu river such as the Saltaruccio and Varagno streams.

Lower down there are stands of maritime pines (Pinus pinaster) and holm oaks (Quercus ilex).