Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival day - Corte (12km / 7.5 miles)
Arriving at Calvi airport and transfer into the town with time to settle into your hotel before exploring Corte, the historic capital of Corsica. The rocky citadel dominates the town, and after dropping your bags at the hotel, you can take a walk around the old town, to discover the sights of this atmospheric place. Corte is situated on two magical gorges - the Tavignano and Restonica. The Tavignano offers a walk along an old mule path, a route used by shepherds into the isolated Niolu region and it makes for stunning walking. Steep cliffs rise up above the pounding torrent and numerous rock pools allow you to cool off.
- Duration:
4 hours 30 minutes
- Altitude gain:
+ 340m
- Descent:
- 310m
- Accommodation: Hotel Duc de Padoue, B&B
Day 2: Scala Santa Regina - Calacuccia (13km / 8 miles)
We give you a lift to the start of your walk in the Scala di Santa Regina. This trail is of great historical importance, it’s the age old path that was used by shepherds leading their herds in and out of the Niolu valley. It leads up through a décor of granite cliffs along a superb balcony path to a small Genoese bridge, a lovely place to take a rest, have something to eat and why not a swim. The views open up and you continue on through a very different landscape, the granite cliffs have given way to old chestnut groves and rolling forest hills. You walk down towards the lake in the base of the valley towards the village of Calacuccia.
- Duration:
5 hours, 30 minutes
- Altitude gain: + 700m
- Descent:
- 340m
- Accommodation: Hotel Acqua Viva, HB
Day 3: Col de Vergio - Evisa (11.5km / 7 miles)
A transfer takes you to the Col de Vergio, a high mountain pass, it is marked with a forbidding statue and is the boundary point between the island's north and south departments. The views are majestic, the peaks are high and loom above. The trail goes downhill through the Aitone pine forest to the outskirts of Evisa. You will pass the piscine naturelle, a big rock pool and local swim spot, then continue down through the chestnut woods that mark you approach to the village. Some of the thick knarled old trunks have been standing here for nearly two thousand years. You will arrive in the centre of Evisa, situated at 830m altitude, it's a vibrant village with a healthy climate. It is unusually close to the sea for a village of this height and is known locally as 'the pearl of the mountains'.
- Duration:
7 hours
- Altitude gain: + 700m
- Descent: - 340m
- Accommodation:
Hotel Aitone, HB
Day 4: Evisa and the villages of Tassu and Marignana (9km / 5.5 miles)
Today you have the option of relaxing or taking a circular walk that follows part of the trail known as the Mare E Monti. It is a village walk leading through the surrounding chestnut woods and into luxuriant maquis. You will arrive at the abandoned hamlet of Tassu, a small treasure to investigate. You can continue on to the village of Marignana which is situated directly across from Evisa. Good walking and an insight into rural village life.
- Duration: 5 hours
- Altitude gain: + 80m
- Descent:
- 720m
- Accommodation:
Hotel Aitone, HB
Day 5: Evisa - Porto (14km / 8.5 miles)
From Evisa, an old path descends through the Spelunca gorge, it zigzags back and forth leading into the depths. You will come to a high arched Genoese bridge. The path leads alongside the torrent, towards Ota. This is a village that couples mountain architecture with a hot Mediterranean climate and flora. Braying donkeys, hunting dogs, villagers working in their gardens, bright bougainvillea, lemon and fig trees all add to the colour. The delicious smells from the restaurant beckon, perhaps you will get tempted in, take a moment to sit and unwind at 'Chez Felix'. From the terrace you can see the succession of high pink hued sea cliffs not so far off now. Your route leaves Ota, heading swiftly down to the coast. The view towards the Gulf of Porto is a kaleidoscope of colour: red cliffs, shock blue sea and the bold silhouette of the Genoese tower. On your way downhill you can find all the plants that you associate with the heat and the Mediterranean, deep blue black island lavender, pale pink cistus and rock sedum. For an easier day take a transfer from Ota to Porto and a boat trip to see the Scandola nature reserve (extra cost).
- Duration:
4 hours
- Altitude gain: + 320m
- Descent:
- 1,170m
- Accommodation:
Hotel Kalliste, B&B
Day 6: Porto - Piana (12km / 7.5 miles)
With just 5 hours walking today you may choose to spend your morning in Porto to enjoy some of the sea activities. When the sea is calm there are regular boat trips towards Scandola, this is the most reputed part of the coastline, the wild natural beauty is spectacular. This dramatic coastline is classed by UNESCO a site of world beauty. From Porto beach, it’s possible to explore on your own with snorkel and mask, or if you wish, there is scuba diving. If you decide to walk directly to Piana in the morning it is possible to walk down to the small sandy cove of Ficaghiola in the afternoon. From Porto beach you climb into the ‘calanques’ where you will be surrounded by an incredible site of granite needles, tortured shapes and rock sculpted formations dotted with maritime pine trees. The vegetation is a haze of lavender, myrtle, delicate pink cistus flowers, juniper, foxgloves, tall white asphodels and cyclamen. The walk above the caost road follows the old mile path and offers some spectacular views of the indented rugged coastline and its many creeks.
- Duration: 5 hours
- Altitude gain:
+ 520m
- Descent: - 70m
- Accommodation: Hotel Scandola, B&B
Day 7: Piana
Transfer to Calvi airport.
