Overview
A seven day, self-guided adventure walking in Corsica allows you to immerse yourself in the stunning scenery of Corsica on a moderate walking holiday. The walk starts in Corte, the island’s historic capital, and leads through the rugged interior and past lakes, natural pools and high summits to the vibrant coastal village of Piana perched high above the sea on the Golfe de Porto. Taking in comfortable hotels, hearty local cuisine and wonderful walking options with contrasting mountain and coastal scenery, this holiday is the perfect way to explore the island in all its glory first-hand.
- Corsican landscapes
- Corte
- Val-du-Niellu
- Evisa
- Calanques de Piana
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Corte
After arriving at Ajaccio Airport, take the train (payable locally) to Corte for the first night. Corte was once the capital of Corsica during the reign of Pasquale Paoli, with the Fortress, or citadella still overlooking the mountainous town. Depending on the arrival time, venture into Tavignano Gorge. Climb a further 500m, before descending, and even take the opportunity for a plunge in the natural rock pools. Alternatively, spend the evening exploring at your leisure and dine in one of the local eateries before returning to the hotel.
- For early arrivals in Corte, optional walk in Tavignano Gorge
- Accommodation: Duc de Padoue Hotel or similar in Corte
Day 2: Corte – Calacuccia | 10km
Take a transfer to the start of today’s walk along the Scala di Santa Regina trail. Once a shepherds’ trail leading their flocks in and out of Niolu Valley, it takes you up along a balcony path to a small Genoese bridge, a perfect spot for a picnic and swim. Walk down towards the lake at the base of the valley and then on to the village of Calacuccia where you spend the night.
- Walking for the day: 10km, 5h ↑700m ↓340m
- Accommodation: Grand Hotel de la Scala or similar in Calacuccia
Day 3: Calacuccia – Evisa | 11.5km
After a short 20mins transfer, arrive in a Corsican pine tree forest, called Val-du-Niellu. Follow the path to Col de Vergio and then head downhill through Aïtone pine forest to the outskirts of Evisa. Your walk takes you past the piscine naturelle, a large rock pool and a local swim spot, before continuing down through ancient chestnut woods. The day comes to a close in Evisa, located at an altitude of 830m and, unusually close to the sea for a village of this elevation, it’s known locally as the pearl of the mountains.
- Walking for the day: 11.5km, 5h ↑80m ↓720m
- Accommodation: L’Aitone or similar in Evisa
Day 4: Free day or Evisa circular walk | 9km
Today can either be treated as a free day, or there’s an option to walk the Mare e Monti trail. A village-to-village walk leading through chestnut woods into maquis, continue through the abandoned hamlet of Tassu, take the time to investigate before stopping off at Marignanthe, a good coffee spot. A return walk via the village of Cristinacce completes todays hike.
- Walking for the day: 9km, 5h ↑300m ↓300m
- Accommodation: L’Aitone or similar in Evisa
Day 5: Evisa – Porto | 14km
There’s a transfer to today’s start point, at the base of Spelunca Gorge. Follow the rocky terrain until you reach Ponte à Zaglia, famous for its high arches, where there are some beautiful pools and boulders that make a perfect picnic spot. Head back towards the mountain village of Ota, before descending on a trail of aromatic wild shrubs towards the coastline, with your day coming to a close in Porto.
- Walking for the day: 14km, 6h ↑320m ↓1,170m
- Accommodation: Hotel Kalliste or similar in Porto
Day 6: Porto – Piana | 12km
With just 4.5h of walking today, you may choose to spend the morning in Porto to enjoy some water sports, before heading to Piana. Alternatively walk directly to Piana, crossing over the bridge that links the marina to the harbour. The coastal beach is bordered by eucalyptus wood and has plenty of wild flowers in spring and early summer. Once in the Calanques de Piana area, you get some great views of the granite needles and rock sculpted formations dotted with pine trees.
- Walking for the day: 12km, 4.5h ↑520m ↓70m
- Accommodation: Hotel Scandola or similar in Piana
Day 7: Departure
The tour ends after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Duc de Padoue Hotel (Corte)
- Grand Hotel de la Scala (Calacuccia)
- L’Aitone (Evisa)
- Hotel Kalliste (Porto)
- Hotel Scandola (Piana)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
All accommodations are with included breakfast, mostly continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam). Two dinners in Evisa are also included, based on local specialities, including a starter, a main course and a dessert. For your picnic lunches, there are grocery stores available to purchase your picnic for the following day. At certain hotels, they can be provided at a supplement (payable locally).
Difficulty and terrain
Unlike the GR20 (considered the most difficult trek in Europe), for this itinerary, we have chosen routes that will appeal to more leisurely walkers. The nature of the terrain presents little technical difficulty, but some previous hillwalking experience will be useful. The ascents will vary from 400m to 800m altitude gain per day (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain.
When to go
This trip is available to commence daily between April and October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
The climate of Corsica consists of mild, rainy winters and warm, sunny summers, while in inland areas, it gradually becomes colder with increasing altitude. Spring is initially cool in March and April, while it becomes gradually milder and sunnier and generally pleasant by May. Summer, from June to August, is warm to hot and sunny along the coasts, while in inland areas, it becomes progressively cooler with increasing altitude, and there is also a higher chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Autumn is initially mild or pleasantly warm and gradually becomes cooler and quite rainy in October. The best time for hiking in the mountains is from June to September. The best months beach time are July and August; you can also go in June and September but expect chilly evenings, cool sea and occasional rain. For more information, see our blog on the Best time to go to France.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Ajaccio Airport (AJA). The alternative airport is Airport Calvi Saint Catherine (CLY).
By train or bus
- Ferries to Ajaccio and Bastia are available from Marseille and Nice; timetables can be checked with the provider, Corsica ferries.
- For train travel in Corsica, you can use the regional train provider Chemin de Fer Corse to view your options. Alternatively use the omio planner above.
- Arriving into Ajaccio, you can take the train or bus to Corte. You can use the Chemin de Fer Corse provider to check your train options or the omio planner above.
- From Piana, you can only take a bus back to Ajaccio. You can view your options for this journey via Corsica bus. This journey takes approx. 2h.
- Please note: from Piana, back to Ajaccio the service runs as follows: Monday-Saturday in spring and autumn / daily in July and August.
Inclusions
Included
- 6 nights accommodation
- 6 breakfasts
- 3 dinners: one in Calacuccia and two in Evisa
- Luggage transfers on all walking days (one piece up to 15kg per person)
- Detailed travel dossier with IGN maps and topo guide
- Navigation App – containing your itinerary, maps and GPS navigation support
- 24/7 phone support from our local office/representative in Ajaccio
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, three dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on the spot)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own.
- We regret that this tour is not available to solo travellers
- Private airport transfers
- Extra nights
- Discount if you choose to stay at 2-star hotels in Corte (Hotel de la Paix), Calacuccia (Acquaviva Hotel), Evisa (Scopa Rossa) and Piana (Hotel les Calanques); the other hotels are as per the itinerary above
