”Island of Beauty” – true to the name given to Corsica by the Greeks, the island combines dramatic coastline and sandy beaches with snow-capped mountains and forests of chestnut and laricio pine. Being the third largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia, Corsica breaks through the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea just southeast of mainland France. There are five classic walks in Corsica that snake around the foot of the massifs. Leading through forests and villages, they offer breath-taking views over the mountain tops and out to sea. As you discover stunning landscapes, you will walk through a series of villages that are a joy to discover. The “Mare a Mare South” path is a distinct favourite, allowing you to enjoy all the contrasts and colours of the island. Starting from the gulf of Porto Vecchio on the East coast overgrown with fragrant Mediterranean vegetation and a scrubby mix of heather bushes, the trail rises up through the mountains of the Alta Rocca and the famous pink granite pinnacles of Bavella before arriving in Propriano on the West coast. En-route you will encounter ancient chapels and churches, archaeological sites, traditional shepherds cabins, old granite houses, olive mills, thermal springs and not the least the house of Napoleon. This holiday would appeal to anyone that is used to walking regularly and is in good shape. With six days of easy to moderate walking, you will discover the extreme south of Corsica and all its treasures.
Tour highlights: Carbini village-famous for its 11th century church decorated with pisan art; The archeological site, Bronze Age, fortified Torreen of Cucuruzzu and Capula prehistoric fort, used until medieval times, in the heart of massive Alta Rocca.
Trip plan:
Day 1. Transfer to Porto Vecchio (bus at 4 pm, tickets not included). Arrival around 6.30 pm. Time to check into your hotel.
Day 2. Your first day's walk will lead you from sea level up into the mountains. You will pass through Alzu di Gallina and the Ospedale to the village of Cartalavonu situated at 1020m altitude. The Mediterranean vegetation is fragrant, a scrubby mix of heather bushes, strawberry trees and wild herbs. The views back across the gulf of Porto Vecchio are breathtaking. The walk takes you through traditional villages before arriving at the plateau of Ospédale. The last stretch of the trail leads through the forest and on to Cartalavonu. / Distance : 14km, duration : 7h00; uphill/downhill walk: +1000m./
Day 3. The path leads swiftly up away from the hamlet of Cartalavonu to the high mountain pass of Foce Alta (1171m). From there you will catch magnificent views over the Lake of Ospedale. A multitude of sleepy perched villages of Alta Rocca and the famous pink granite pinnacles of Bavella are stretched out before you. The trail winds its way through a chestnut forest, the village of Carbini (famous for its 11th century church decorated with pisan art) and the Fiumiccicoli river. Passing through olive groves and its old mill, you arrive at the outskirts of Levie. /Distance : 11km, duration : 5h00, uphill/downhill walk: +510m; -920m./
Day 4. The path heads up through an oak forest dotted with large blocks of granite to the St Laurent chapel. This area is well known for its archaeological sites, two of the most famous, Cucuruzzu and Capula, are nearby. You arrive at the Quenza deer enclosure and shortly afterwards, the village itself. Be sure to go and see the Pisan church that dates from the year 1000. You pass the hamlet of Ghjallicu an old chestnut mill and the shepherds cabins Lavu Donacu before arriving at the village of Serra di Scopamena. /Distance : 17km, duration : 5h30, uphill/downhill walk: +760m; -520m./
Day 5. As the path snakes through a chestnuts forest, you will notice an old mill that has been restored by the Corsican Natural Park. You will pass the River Rizzanese, the Col de Tavara, the village of Altagène, then through the hamlet of Saint Andrea di Talla before arriving at today’s destination: Santa Lucia de Tallano. This village is really invinting and full of interests. Such as a 15th century convent, tall granite houses, a restored olive mill and the possibility to purchase a wide variety of oils. /Distance : 10 km, duration : 5h00, uphill/downhill walk: +400m; -800m./
Day 6. Passing the 12th century Roman chapel St-Jean-Baptiste, the path crosses the River Rizzanese. The following stop on our itinerary is Loreto di Tallano. This village was the setting of a famous novel written by Prosper Mérimée: the legendary Colomba, based on a true vendetta story. Impatience will mount as you get closer to the beckoning Mediterranean sea. You make your way towards the thermal spa of Baracci; the benefits of its waters have been known since antiquity. A great spot to have a soak and relax. At the end of today’s walk a short transfer from Borgo to Propriano, a small coastal resort buzzing with atmosphere, street cafes and plenty of fish restaurants. /Distance : 12km, duration : 6h00, uphill/downhill walk: +680m; -940m./
Day 7. Transfer to Ajaccio, time to settle into your hotel before exploring. Ajaccio is the capital of Southern Corsica, the ambience is very vibrant and Mediterranean. It is great to just sit in one of the cafés opposite the harbour and soak up the atmosphere. The old streets and houses are often dwarfed by the large ferries that arrive from Italy or mainland France. Visit the shops, museums, cathedral and Napoleon’s house or simply relax on the beach. Opportunity to visit the îles Sanguinaires by boat.
Optional walk: Les Crêtes-Mountain ridge walk
You can choose to do this walk upon arrival or before you leave Ajaccio the following day. You are given the option of two walks along the mountain ridge 'les Crêtes' that dominates the city and Gulf of Ajaccio. The aerial views of the town, over the sea and the mountains are stunning.
/Distance : from 6km to 11km, duration : from 2h00 to 4h00 , uphill/downhill walk: +140m t+340m, -140m -340m./
Day 8. End of holiday in Ajaccio after breakfast.*
*Option: If you wish you can spend day 7 in Propriano and catch the morning bus back to Ajaccio (10.15 am arrival 10.30 am).
Included in the price: accommodation in 2-3 star hotels with en-suite facilities on bed & breakfast basis (shared facilities on day 4 only); dinners on days 2, 3, 4 and 5; luggage transfers; map and detailed roadbook in English; 24 hrs phone assistance;
Excluded from the price: Transfers to Porto Vecchio and from Propriano, unforeseen additional transfers, evening meal on the day 1-6-7, drinks, picnics, extra activities, holiday insurance;
Accomodation and food: 2** - 3*** hotels with en-suite facilities(shared facilities on day 4 only); 4 days HB(breakfast and dinner included) 3 days B&B(breakfast only included)
Luggage transport: There is organized transport of the luggage for each of the days with changes in the overnight places.
Practical information: • The daily walks range between 10 and 17km with uphill/downhill walks up to 1000m.
Group Size: Min. 2
