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Corsica walking holiday : From the mountains in Corte to the sea in Porto
    • France - Corsica
    • 6 days
    • Walking
    • Self-guided
      • From April to October
    • 2 - 10 travellers
      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming
      • Trip code : C1131
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About the Corsica walking holiday : From the mountains in Corte to the sea in Porto trip

Corsica is a mountain in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea,  famed for its natural beauty, its wilderness and exceptional landscapes : a harmonious blend of sandy beaches and jagged coastline gradually turning into mountains as you enter the centre of this incredible island, nicknamed the “Ile de Beauté” – island of beauty. 

On this itinerary, you explore on foot some of the most amazing Corsican landscapes, starting your hiking holiday in Corte, a city with a rich cultural heritage located at the heart of the island, not too far from its highest peak, the Monte Cinto. You will gradually walk down to the sea and finally get to the village of Porto (municipality of Ota) and enjoy its quality of life, a melting pot of Genovese history, incredible views of the mountains and extraordinary turquoise sea. Corsica is an exceptional holiday destination for walking enthousiasts, so you will definitely be in for a treat! 

Note : This hiking trip is a Moderate + walking level. If you suffer from severe fear of heights, make sure to contact us to get more information about the tour.

Highlights of your trip

  • Strolling through Corte, the historic capital surrounded by mountain peaks   
  • Follow trails to blue mountain lakes, glittering natural pools
  • Girolata small fishermen’s village accessible only by foot or boat
  • Piana one of the most beautiful villages of France ands its famous Calanches
  • The emerald colored waters of of the Restonica gorge and the Spelunca Gorge 
  • Hiking through chestnut forest
  • Walk on an ancient mule path high above the sea, with fantastic views
  • Swimming on sandy secluded beaches
  • 1 picnic included

    Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

From the blog

Corsica walking holiday, from the mountains in Corte to the sea in Porto: Day by Day

Day 1 - Corte, heart of Corsica

corte+hike+corsica+walk

  • Arrival on your own in Corte. Located in the heart of Corsica and surrounded by impressive mountains, Corte is an authentic and unique city that was formerly the cultural and administrative capital city of this island. 
  • Please note : the transfer from Corte train station to the hotel is not included : please contact us ( 1.5 km - 20/25 mn walking ) 
  • Night in Corte

  • We recommend :
    . spend an extra night in Corte and wander through the quaint streets of this city built around its citadelle. A must-see!

  • ACCESS 
    . Airport  : regular flights to Corsica and also low-cost airlines sometimes from Paris, Nice or Marseille. Land in Calvi or Ajaccio.
    . Corsica ferry : regular ferry from Nice and Marseille
    . Train : trains from Bastia and Ajaccio: link here 
    . Private transfer also possible : contact us 

Day 2 - Beautiful walk on the heights of Corte

wild beautiful walk above corte in corsica

  • Walk - Corte > Punti di I corbu > Corte
    3 hours 30 - 10 km - Ascent: +530 m / Descent: -530 m
  • A circular hike dedicated to Saint Teoflu, the only saint born in Corsica who saw the light of day in Corte on 30 October 1740. You hike up to the Punti di u Corbu pass from where you have a great view of Corte, the Restonica valley and the sea to the east.
  • Night in Corte
  • MEALS included: Breakfast & Picnic

- Have an extra walk in Corte ( Not possible in July & August )

tavignano hike+ Corsica walk

  • Have an extra night walk in Corte and go for an extra walk towards the emerald coloured waters of the Tavignano gorges - Contact us 
  • Walk - Corte > Tavignano gorges > Corte
    4 to 5 hours - 13km / 8 miles - Ascent: +350 m / Descent: -350 m
  • You leave Corte on foot and head out on your hike. You’re in the heart of the wilderness as soon as you leave the centre of Corte. The path is always easy underfoot, easy to follow and cobbled most of the way. There are no steep climbs or descents and the route follows the "Mare a Mare" path above the left bank of the Tavignano river before entering the high mountains the further you penetrate into the gorge and the scenery becomes more dramatic. At the end of the hike the path descends to a footbridge that crosses the river. There is a natural pool for a refreshing swim. Return back on the same path.

Day 3 - From to Corte to Porto

Corsica walk + corsica walking holidays

  • Today your transfer from Corte to Porto is not included. You have 2 options: 
  • Option 1 -  Direct transfer with no hike 
    To get to Porto you can either : 
    . take the train from Corte to Ajaccio and take a bus from Ajaccio to Porto. Schedule here.
    . Or take a taxi : 2-hour-ride to get to Porto. ( Indicative price: from 280 €uros )
    . and enjoy Porto and the seaside ! 
  • Option 2 -  Moderate walk (start La Chatagneraie) on the way down to Porto (not included) along the Spelunca gorge
    .     Transfer from Corte to La Chataigneraie (1h45) that is located on the road to Porto ( Indicative price: from 280 €uros )
    . Moderate walk La Chataigneraie (chestnut) > Ota  ( 9km - 3h30, +50m/-600m)
    . The walk begins in the chestnut forest: a 15-minute walk into Evisa. From Evisa you plunge down 600m in altitude on a winding, cobbled path to the spectacular Spelunca gorge, where natural pools and centuries-old Genoese bridges await your visit. Take the time to rest by the waters and restore some energy before climbing under the shade of olive trees and into the village of Ota. 
    . Transfer from Ota to Porto. ( Indicative price: from 30 €uros )
  • Night in Porto
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

Day 4 - The Calanche di Piana: a world heritage site

Piana calanche + best hikes corsica

  • Piana > Calanche de Piana > Piana 
    The walk: The walk takes you inland on a rugged track though the forested valley, climbing steadily and steeply. 
  • OPTION 1 - Moderate 
    . 4 hours - 10.5 km / 6.2 miles - Ascent: +500 m / Descent: -475 m
    . Starting in the village of Piana, take the time to explore the village before setting off on your hike: Piana is listed among the most beautiful villages in France. You walk along an ancient mule path that hovers high above the sea with fantastic views of the granite pinnacles of the Calanches de Piana where the coastline is at its most spectacular: blood-red stone pinnacles jutting out of the sea and soaring hundreds of meters into the skies, creating a chaos of giant granite structures carved by water and wind. Your hike goes through the heart of these structures known as the Calanches de Piana. 
  • OPTION 2 -  Challenging - Capu d'Orto 
    . 6 hours - 15km / 9.3 miles - Ascent: +900 m / Descent: -875 m.
    . For those who would like to reach the summit Capu d’Orto, the forest quickly gives way to bare rock and it isn’t long before spectacular sea vistas open up. A steep and sun-exposed climb to the summit is rewarded by awe-inspiring 360° views taking in much of Corsica’s west coast. At an altitude of 1300m and only 3km from the coastline, Capu d’Orto is one of the best vantage spots on the entire island. Not all is lost if you choose not to complete the return walk to Capu d’Orto: our return journey remains on a scenic crest with sea views and then enters a centuries-old chestnut forest.
  • Transfer from the end of your walk - restaurant/café there - back to Porto.
  • Night in Porto.
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Girolata walk: a hike along the coastline

adventure trip corsica + corsica hike

  • Col de la Croix pass > Girolata > Col de la Croix pass
    The walk: From the Col de la Croix pass, at just over 200m, you descend gradually on a partially shaded path that follows the coastline. This is the "Sentier du Facteur", the path that Guy, the mailman, used every day to deliver the mail to Girolata, a village only accessible by foot or by boat.
  • Transfer to the start of your walk.
  • OPTION 1 - Challenging - Curzo > Col de la Croix > Girolata
    . 6 hours - 17 km / 10.5 miles - Ascent: +150 m / Descent: -1300 m
    . The full walk from the village of Curzo takes you on a steep climb up to a stunning ridgeline from where much of Corsica’s western coastline is at your feet. You descend the ridgeline in question to the Col de la Croix road pass where the "Moderate level" walk begins. The initial climb from the village of Curzo up to the crest is steep and sun-exposed.   
  • OPTION 2 - Moderate - Col de la Croix > Girolata 
    . 4 hours - 9 km / 5.5 miles - Ascent: +50 m / Descent: -600 m
    . The walk takes you on the famed "sentier du facteur" – literally the “mailman’s path” – the path Guy the mailman took every day to deliver the mail to the village of Girolata, lost in time, only accessible by foot or by boat. At the remote Tuara beach you can take a secluded dip before taking a path etched into the rocky coastline to Girolata. Plenty of restaurants there and a second great swim in the Med sea ! You return to Tuara beach in a loop via the "Mare e Monti" trail (another dip!) and then retrace your steps up to the Col de la Croix, start of your walk
  • Transfer back to Porto.
  • Night in Porto
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Bye bye Corsica!

  • corsica + visit corsicaEnd of your trip after breakfast in Porto. Bye Bye Corsica ...
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

  • RETURN from Porto:
    . Bus Porto > Ajaccio (2 hours 10) - Schedules 
    . Airport  : regular flights and low-cost airlines from Calvi, Ajaccio, Bastia to Paris, Nice or Marseille  
    . Corsica ferry : regular ferry to Nice and Marseille

- Info on the walks in Corsica

  • Please note : Corsica walking itineraries are Moderate + level,  due to rocky terrain.
    . Some trails can be more rocky than others, and therefore may take more time to walk if you are not used to this type of terrain.
    . We do our best to calculate a fair estimation of the walk ( The indicated walking time is based on no rest, no stop, no picnic)
    . We appreciate that this time can vary according to walking abilities.
  • On some walks around Corte, we highly recommend you getting a private local guide for the day. 
    If you are not an experienced mountain hiker and haven't been used chains and ladders to climb : he will be able to assist you, encourage you and share his knowledge and experience with you. Learn the lay of the land from those who know it best ...

  • CHALLENGING walking option 
    On some walks, we give you the possibility to choose a more challenging walk
    . Walking level: It is is suitable only for those with hiking experience on mountainous and jagged rockyterrain. 
    Please be aware that this option is for experienced hikers and the level of difficulty of the itineraries can be strenuous: more distance, more elevation gain, chains and ladders to climb and some stages during which certain skills may be required. 
    . If you are interested, please contact us

More Corsican walking trips

Corsica walking holiday : Calvi, short & sweet
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    • Highlights of the tour -- a re-travailler

    • Coastal walk to the Revellata lighthouse, admiring the turquoise sea
    • Swimming opportunities on sandy secluded beaches
    • The best places and the best hikes in Corsica from the sandy beaches of Calvi to the wild mountain lakes of Corte



      Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

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    Corsica walking holiday : Porto, short & sweet
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    • Highlights of your trip

    • The village of Piana by the Med Sea
    • The famous Calanches of Piana : superb granite walls chiselled by erosion
    • The Gulf of Girolata and the Scandola nature reserve : a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    • Swimming & relaxing on sandy secluded beaches

      Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

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    Corsica walking holiday : From the sea in Calvi to the Mountains in Corte
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      • From April to October

  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming

    • Highlight of the tour

    • Coastal walk to the Revellata lighthouse, admiring the turquoise sea
    • Swimming opportunities on sandy secluded beaches
    • Hiking trails through chestnut forests
    • 1 picnic included
    • The best places and the best hikes in Corsica from the sandy beaches of Calvi to the wild mountain lakes of Corte
    • Diverse landscapes with the best hiking spots in Corsica, a moderate walking grade
    • Strolling through Corte, one of the "must" historic places to stay in Corsica
    • Follow trails to blue mountain lakes, glittering natural pools and shepherds’ huts
    • Emerald waters of the Restonica gorge


      Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

    From 580 € / pers
    Corsica walking holiday : From the mountains in Corte to the sea in Porto
      • France - Corsica
      • 6 days
    • Walking
    • Self-guided
      • From April to October

  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming

    • Highlights of your trip

    • Strolling through Corte, the historic capital surrounded by mountain peaks   
    • Follow trails to blue mountain lakes, glittering natural pools
    • Girolata small fishermen’s village accessible only by foot or boat
    • Piana one of the most beautiful villages of France ands its famous Calanches
    • The emerald colored waters of of the Restonica gorge and the Spelunca Gorge 
    • Hiking through chestnut forest
    • Walk on an ancient mule path high above the sea, with fantastic views
    • Swimming on sandy secluded beaches
    • 1 picnic included

      Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

    From 840 € / pers
    Corsica walking holiday: from Calvi to Porto
      • France - Corsica
      • 7 days
    • Walking
    • Self-guided
      • From March to October

  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming

    • Highlight of your walking tour

    • Experience the best of both sea & mountain walks
    • Girolata small fishermen’s village accessible only by foot or boat
    • Hiking through chestnut forests
    • The famous Piana Calanches and its spooky pink granite rock 
    • Beautiful coastal walk to the Revellata lighthouse, admiring the turquoise sea
    • Swimming opportunities on sandy secluded beaches
    • Piana one of the most beautiful villages of Corsica
    • Walk on an ancient mule path high above the sea with fantastic views
    • Enjoy discovering the Corsican culture

      Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

    From 870 € / pers
    Trip details
    Corsica walking holiday : From the mountains in Corte to the sea in Porto
        • France - Corsica
        • 2 adults (2x840€)
        • 0 children (0x840€)
      • 6 days
      • Simple
    Total 1680€
    Deposit 600€
    Book now !