Corsica is what you might call a natural beauty. No high-rise buildings and no tacky seaside dwellings, a huge part of Corsica’s charm is that it remains unspoilt by tourism. This is largely down to the locals who are fiercely protective of their island and fight tirelessly against mass urbanization.
Corsica has had a turbulent past and was for many years under Italian rule. In 1755, the island fought and won for independence, but this was short lived. In 1768, the island fell under French rule, then briefly under British domination before being handed back to the French. Today, the Corsicans are a proud nation, renowned for their strong personality, quick tongue and Corsican dialect, a mix of French and Italian, that is still taught in the schools. Walking in Corsica, you will quickly get a sense of a strong Corsican identity, and this is represented in their flag. A black face on a white background, a white bandana used to cover the eyes but since the independence, the bandana was placed above the eyes symbolising the liberation from Genoese rule.
Our self-guided walking tours are based around 3 of the main towns in Northern Corsica. Here’s a snippet of what to expect in and around each one:
1. Calvi
Calvi was one of the first Corsican towns to open itself up to tourism during the 1920’s. A XV century citadel dominates the town. The Citadel is all but abandoned now, with just a scattering of cafés offering refreshments but it is well worth a walk around. Calvi also has a beautiful marina and beaches and organises various festivals all year round.
2. Corte
Corte is a university town located in the mountains and is the historical heart of island. It was here from 1755 to 1769 that Paoli installed the first Corsican government. As a result, the people of Corte are very proud and very territorial! A Corsica walking tour around the area around Corte can change from desert like with dramatic red rocks and cliffs, to more the luscious pine forests and the wild gorges and rapids of the Restonica valley. It is hot during the summer months and beaten by strong wind during the winter. There are many hidden rivers in the mountains and even during the height of season, you can always find a secluded swimming spot away from the crowds.
3. Porto
Porto is a seaside resort with large white sand beaches and a dramatic mountain backdrop and a great example of how the popular seaside resorts remain unspoiled by tourism and instead, retain a lot of charm. There are some stunning walks to be done around Porto, for example, the tiny fishing village of Girolata, only accessible on foot, the famous Piana Calanche and its pink rock and the Scandola Natural Reserve, a great spot for kayaking and diving and also one of the nicest sunset spots on the Mediterranean!
A walking holiday in Corsica does require you to be equipped with good walking shoes and poles and have a good level of fitness to undertake some of the walks. The proximity of the mountains and the sea, the wild and natural beauty of the landscapes and the locals, with their sense of pride and warm welcome make this a fabulous destination for a self-guided walking holiday and even the French tourists say that it’s like being in a foreign country!
