Why Is Corsica a Hidden Gem in the Off-Season?
What Makes Corsica in the LOW Season So Special?
CORSICA OUT OF SEASON
Whilst Corsica is probably best known for its 200km of sandy beaches lapped by limpid, azure seas, these summer attractions are only part of what Corsica has to offer. Whilst in the winter, the island takes on a quiet almost dormant persona, with spring comes the annual re-awakening, heralded by the colour of the vast array of flowers that flank its always-green hillsides.
Along with this natural return to life comes the opportunity for those who wish to discover the ‘real’ Corsica to do so in the absence of the volume of visitors that come to the island in the peak summer months.
Whilst the island reawakens slowly – hotels, restaurants and bars open gradually between March and May – there are nevertheless plenty of places to stay, eat and drink for those who prefer to benefit from the quieter ambience but still enjoy the best of what Corsica has to offer.
Most visitors in the summer content themselves with tanning on the beaches and enjoying the warm seas whereas out of season, it is possible to benefit from the lower temperature (still averaging around 17-22° in April May and September) by indulging in a wide range of other activities and still experiencing the beauty of the island.
Walking
Corsica has a superb network of walking trails ranging from gentle strolls through the maquis, to more challenging hikes with sizeable ascents and descents such as the Mare A Mare and Mare A Monte culminating in the (in)famous GR20 – the 180km trail that runs diagonally across the island and takes even accomplished walkers 14 days to complete.
However, much of Corsica offers the opportunity for casual walkers to enjoy the peace and quiet of the island’s interior and take in the awe-inspiring views. Each region of the island has guides available from the various Tourist Information Offices which map the myriad, very well signposted routes which meander along the coast, through forests, follow riverbanks and traverse the foothills of the impressive, often snow-capped mountains that form the spine of the island.
Whilst many of the walks form a ‘boucle’ (i.e. start and end at the same point) it is also possible to undertake guided or self-guided walks stopping at auberges and small hotels along the way – and even having luggage transferred to lighten the load!
Cycling
Corsica hosted the ‘Grand Départ’ of the
Tour de France in 2013 so is acknowledged as being amongst the
best places to cycle, with a mixture of steep climbs and descents along with more gentle rides, all giving riders wonderful views of the island.
Whilst the main roads of the island can get busy, especially in high season, the minor roads remain quiet even in the height of summer affording the opportunity to explore the island by bike in relative peace. Depending on their level of proficiency, cyclists can choose between a wide network of proposed itineraries either along the coastline, in the countryside and ascending into the mountains. For those not wishing to bring their own cycle, there are many rental outlets where road bikes and all-terrain cycles, both manual or electrically assisted are available – many offering a delivery & collection service.
Most tourist information offices are able to provide guides and maps of the better-known circuits, and whilst many will be on metaled roads, although it is quite common for there to be signposted colour-coded trails through the maquis.
Golf
Whilst not renowned as a golfing destination, Corsica does nevertheless boast 6 courses, amongst them, the 18-hole Robert Trent-Jones designed Sperone Golf Club near Bonifacio, ranked in the top 50 courses in France – with some holes bearing more than a coincidental resemblance to a Pebble Beach. From the higher parts, there are superb views across to Sardinia along with the islands of Lavezzi, Cavallo and Maddalena.
There are also three, 9-hole courses including Reginu (near L’Ile Rousse) with its narrow, undulating fairways situated in the heart of the Reginu Valley in the Balagne region of the island. Borgo (south of Bastia), is a relatively flat but well-wooded whist Lezza (south of Porto Vecchio) is much more open but located on the hillside. GIGA (near Ajaccio) is a 6-hole mixture of tree-lined fairways and water hazards and the 14-hole Murtoli (between Sartene & Bonifacio) has a layout which enables a round of 18 holes to be played by using different tees, after which a stay in the sumptuous hotel or private luxurious bergeries awaits. For more golf information click here >
All the courses are open all-year round and, because of the invariably pleasant climate, are in good condition no matter what the month. Green fees are very reasonable compared to the UK (and other better renowned destinations) and the pleasure of playing the game in such wonderful surroundings
Watersports
Whilst most of the typical water-borne activities tend to take place during the summer months, windsurfing and kite-surfing are widely enjoyed even during the winter, especially on the west coast, which benefits from regular, moderate, south-westerly winds offering ideal conditions in seas whose temperatures seldom drop below 15°C.
Inland, white-water canoeing is an adrenaline-filled way of experiencing the narrow, deep gorges in meltwater from the mountains cascading down through the pine and chestnut forests.
Fishing
Fishing on Corsica is widely practiced, albeit – as in the UK and elsewhere - subject to various rules and regulations.
Out of season, sea-fishing is quite rare, but freshwater fishing – mainly for trout – is widely enjoyed in the inland lakes. Permits are available (which are obligatory) and there are a number of tackle shops who rent out rods, nets and assorted equipment plus some who can provide the appropriate bait depending on the preferred catch. Similarly, they can provide advice on the best locations, time and methods to maximise the enjoyment of the sport.
Birdwatching
Corsica is a ‘twitcher’s ‘ paradise, especially in late April / early May when many species of birds stop off on the island on their annual migration. Over 500 species have been identified on the island, and, whilst the only officially indigenous bird is the Corsican nuthatch, it is quite an achievement to spot one. There are many areas of the island that attract an array of winged wildlife including flamingoes in the freshwater lagoons on the east coast, the spotted flycatcher, bee-eater, Marmora’s warbler and Cirl bunting in the lower hills, and, of course, the almost omnipresent red kite. Higher in the mountains there are Lammergeier to be seen – albeit the locations of their nests are kept a secret.
Wine discovery
Corsica has no less than 9 AOC regions (the most per unit area in the world) and over 290 wine producers on nearly 6000 hectares with vineyards producing over 350,000 hectolitres of wine per year – approximately 70% of which is rosé. Many of the wines produced on the island have won awards and the island is considered to be an emerging producer of some of the best, despite its relatively small volume of production compared to the mainland. Indeed, one advantage of the small scale of the vineyards is that welcome visitors are offered a very friendly, personal experience from proud producers situated in amazing scenery.
Irrespective of the activity (or activities) you choose, a warm Corsican welcome will await you and there will always be the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful dishes using ingredients from local producers accompanied by the excellent wines
Flights to Corsica start on 3rd May from London Gatwick to Bastia in the north-east of the island and an ideal starting point for exploring the island.
Our team at Just Corsica have visited each of our properties on Corsica both for educational purposes and on their own holidays and Rob, our Product Director and author of this blog, has lived and worked on the island for 20 years. In addition, Huw, our Managing Director and his wife, Alison, our Marketing Director both worked on the island in the early 1980’s so their combined experience has enabled enables us to offer you a personally selected choice of location and accommodation throughout Corsica to suit all criteria, tastes and budgets.
Author: Rob Ashton-Kane
In 2005, I moved to Corsica after having first visited the island in 1998 on holiday with my, then, fiancée. After having spent all my previous professional life in the property industry, I made a total career change and took a job as a representative of a UK tour operator, progressing through the following years to become that company’s island manager in 2010. In 2013 I met Huw and Alison and was offered an opportunity to help them create and develop the Just Corsica brand and, subsequently, the Just Sicily brand and my current role is the Overseas Director for the company, continuing to oversee and manage the evolution of all three of our products.
Stop Press: A quick update, I took this photo today the 21st February 2025, a spectacular day in Corsica
