Corsica Hike

Meet your group after breakfast for a two-hour shuttle to the lovely port town of Calvi. We check into the Hotel Saint Erasme (or similar) and then depart for an afternoon hike along the coast to a lighthouse perched on a rocky promontory. Take a stroll through the town’s colorful streets this evening and then meet for dinner. Hike: 12 km/7.4 mi; 328m/1,076 ft elevation gain, 3 hrs. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

We have a short van transfer this morning to Aregno, one of the picturesque villages along the Haute Balagne coast. Begin your hike from an 11th century Pisan church and climb up to the hilltop town of Sant’Antonino, rated as one of the most beautiful villages in Corsica. Stop for a coffee break and try their fresh-baked fiadone, a traditional cheese pie with a hint of lemon. From there we continue towards the Convent of Corbara before reaching our lunch spot, Pigna, which has retained its medieval character with cobblestone paths, narrow alleys, and vaulted passageways. After lunch our hike takes us towards the town of Corbara before dropping back down to the coast, ending on a wide sandy beach. Relax with a cold drink or a swim in the Mediterranean before returning by van to Calvi. We meet up again tonight for another delicious dinner accompanied by some of Corsica’s fine local wines. Hike: 13 km/7.7 mi; 428m/1,352 ft elevation gain, 3.5 hrs Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.

An hour’s drive this morning takes you to the beautiful Gorge du Fango, a vast area of unspoiled nature that has been designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Hike through centuries-old chestnut forests to a sparkling river which splashes delightfully over the well-worn red and green rocks of the riverbed. Stop along the way for a picnic and a refreshing dip in the crystalline pools before resuming your hike. We then embark on one of the most dramatic drives in all of Europe as we head through the "Calenches." The narrow road winds its way along the rocky cliffs of red-orange rock, sort of like the Amalfi coast but in technicolor! Check into the four-star Hotel Capo Rosso (or similar) in Piana and enjoy breath-taking views of the coast. The Hike: 9.2 km/5.7 mi, 370m/1,214 ft elev. gain; 3h30’ Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

Our hike this morning goes through “Les Calanches,” another UNESCO protected site. It is a vast expanse of red porphyry rock, eroded into magnificent towers, chasms and animal shapes stretching down to the sea. We return to Piana for lunch, and then offer some optional afternoon activities: we can do another hike out to a Genoese tower, or have a swim and relax on a wide sandy beach, or explore the Greek village of Cargese. Enjoy an aperitif on the terrace of our hotel and then head off on your own for a “free night” dinner. The Hike: Total 7 km/4.3 mi. 1300 ft elev gain, 3 hrs incl coffee break. Hotel and breakfast included. Dinner not included.

We leave the coast this morning and drive into the rugged interior of the island to the town of Corte. The drive takes about 3 hours, but we stop half-way for a hike through a beautiful pine forest to a series of waterfalls. We’ll picnic by the falls and maybe even have a dip in the cool mountain water before continuing our way to Corte, Corsica’s capital during their brief but fierce struggle for independence. Have a look around this charming town before re-joining your group for dinner. Overnight at the 4-star Dominique Colonna (or similar), a "hotel de charme" with a pool located a few kms outside of town. The Hike: 10 km/6 mi, 384 m/1,260ft elev. gain; 3 hrs Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

We have a spectacular last day of hiking today, along mountain trails which lead to a series of glacial lakes. The dramatic change in scenery will make you feel like you’ve been transported to the Alps, and you will fully experience the diversity and beauty of this amazing island. Head into town for a drink together before our final night's dinner of local specialities.The Hike: 8.7 km/5.3 mi, 475 m/1,550ft elev. gain; 3 hrs Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

This morning we offer a one-hour transfer to Bastia airport. There are several flights a day to Paris and other destinations in Europe, as well as ferries to both France and Italy. Breakfast and transfer included.

Please note: Some details of the itinerary may change according to the departure date of your tour. Whenever we run a tour we make new discoveries. Sometimes they are good discoveries, like a wonderful new trattoria, and sometimes they are bad, like a trail has been washed away. The result is that we sometimes change our itinerary to improve it by adding new wonderful elements to the tour or by removing something that does not work anymore. Rest assured, our goal is to always provide you with the best possible experience. We will advise you of any changes to the original itinerary prior to departure.