Corsican Island Mystery

Introduction
Corsica France

Corsica is a mountain in the sea, this is an opportunity to enjoy every aspect of the island, to discover its extreme contrasts. You can bathe in the perfumes, colours and varied landscapes that have earned Corsica its reputation.

We start our walking in the very heart of the island in the Niolu Valley which is completely encircled by the highest mountain summits. The Paglia Orba and the Cinto tower above all dominating the skyline. You walk through pine tree forests, with the ever present clear emerald waters of the rushing torrents, cascading chutes and rock pools.

The remote villages, chestnut forests and gorges are a pleasure to discover. The weeks walking cumulates at the magnificent gulf of Porto where the majestic rose hued mountains plunge abruptly into the sea.

The walks are on good footpaths and trails, the terrain is varied but often rocky. You need to be used to walking all day and take regular exercise to enjoy this holiday. Moderate with strenuous sections.

Accomodation

Hand-picked hotels & gastronomic pleasures
If you are looking for good walks with mountain and coastal scenery but also want characterful, comfortable hotels, this is the holiday for you. The places you will stay in have been hand picked and give you the option of sampling some of the best regional cuisine on the island. The Roches Rouges in Piana has a unique location, built in 1912 it has recaptured the ambience of the past, has a lovely atmosphere and the food is excellent.
A mixture of hotels, converted convents and auberges.
Please note, although the terrace and dining area have wonderful views across the gulf, your room at the Roches Rouges will not be with a sea view.

Meals:  Half board accommodation, (no evening meal on day 1 and 7)

Supplements:
- Optional last night in Piana with private transfer to Ajaccio : 85 €/pers

Riding

Itinerary

Day 1:  Start of holiday in Ajaccio
Arrival in Ajaccio, time to settle into your hotel before exploring. Ajaccio is the capital of Southern Corsica, the ambience is very vibrant and Mediterranean. It is great to just sit in one of the cafés opposite the harbour and soak up the atmosphere. The old streets and houses are often dwarfed by the large ferries that arrive from Italy or mainland France. Visit the shops, museums, cathedral and Napoleon’s house or simply relax on the beach. Opportunity to visit the îles Sanguinaires by boat.

Les Crêtes-Mountain ridge walk
You can choose to do this walk upon arrival or before you leave Ajaccio the following day. You are given the option of two walks along the mountain ridge 'les Crêtes' that dominates the city and Gulf of Ajaccio. The aerial views of the town, over the sea and the mountains are stunning. Distance : from 6km to 11km, duration : from 2h00 to 4h00 , dénivelé plus : from +140m to +340m, dénivelé moins : from -140m to -340m.

Day 2 : Ajaccio to Calacuccia
An early morning transfer from Ajaccio to the Scala di Santa Régina, situated just outside of Corte. The transfer to Corte will be organised either by train or vehicle, at our discretion. The journey to Corte will take about two hours. From Corte a vehicle transfer will take you to the start of the Scala di Santa Régina (35 mins)

The Scala Santa Régina
The Scala Santa Régina valley. This trail is of great historical importance, it was the path used by shepherds leading their herds in and out of the Niolu valley. It winds through a decor of granite cliffs, along a superb balcony path to the Erco génois bridge and the village of Corsica. Descent to Calacuccia village, passing through old chestnut groves.

Distance : 10km, duration : 4h00, dénivelé plus : +700m, dénivelé moins : -340m.

Day 3 : The Légion to Evisa
A brief morning transfer into the vast corsican pine tree forest of Valdu-Niellu. You will then cross the famous ‘Col de Vergio’ one of the highest mountain road passes. It is marked with a forbidding statue and is the separating point between both northern and southern counties. You can enjoy superb views of the lake and the Niolu area standing behind you. Your trail heads down hill into the majestic Aitone pine forest and the outskirts of village Evisa. Paths wind through the maquis past the piscine naturelle (a local swim spot) then into the chestnut woods. They mark your approach to the village, their thick knarled trunks have been standing there for nearly two thousand years. You emerge in the centre of Evisa, a picturesque, vibrant village. Situated at 830m, it is unusually close to the sea for a village of this altitude. It was named by the local ‘the pearl of the mountains’.
 
Distance : 13km, duration : 6h00, dénivelé plus : +600m, dénivelé moins : -750m.

Day 4 : Day in Evisa with optional walk to the village of Marignana
Today you have the option of just relaxing, or taking a walk that follows part of the trail known as the ‘Mare e Monti’ It is a village to village walk and in the old days the path was the only route of communication between the villages. It leads through the surrounding chestnut woods and into a luxuriant maquis, a jumble of vegetation which at this altitude is a mix of oak, cistus flowers, the strawberry tree, the curry plant and tree heather. 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 the valley from Evisa. A return walk via the village of Cristinacce completes today’s insight into rural village life.

Distance : 9km, duration : 4h30, dénivelé plus : +300m, dénivelé moins : -300m.

Day 5 : Evisa to Porto
From Evisa you walk down the Spelunca gorge, the path zig-zags back and forth leading into the depths. You follow the torrent to a Genoise bridge where you start the walk up through the maquis, towards the vibrant village of Ota. A village that couples mountain architecture with a hot Mediterranean climate and flora. Braying donkeys, hunting dogs, villagers working in their gardens, bright bougainvillaea, lemon and fig trees all add colours to the picture. The delicious smell of the Ceccaldi restaurant beckoning and the rose coloured granite sea cliffs getting ever closer. Perhaps you will get tempted to sit and unwind on 'Chez Felix's terrace to marvel at the succession of high mountains so close to the sea. Your route leaves Ota heading swiftly down to the coast. The view towards the Gulf of Porto is a kaleidoscope of colour: red cliffs, shocking blue sea and the bold Genoise tower. The walk is downhill and 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. Impatience will mount as you draw closer to the sea.

Distance : 14km, duration : 6h00, dénivelé plus : +320m, dénivelé moins : -1170m.

Day 6 : Porto to Piana
With just 4h30 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 and the wild natural beauty is spectacular. It is possible to explore on your own with snorkel and mask, or for the more adventurous 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. Leaving Porto you cross over the bridge that links Porto to the harbour. You walk along the beach that is bordered by a eucalyptus wood, then take a path that is just above sea level and gives a balcony view down onto the clear blue waters, as well as splendid views of the indented rugged coastline and its many creeks. It is the most dramatic part of the coastline and classed by UNESCO as a site of world beauty. The vegetation is a haze of lavender, myrtle, delicate pink cistus flowers, juniper, foxgloves, tall white asphodels and cyclamen. Once in the ‘calanques’ you will be surrounded by an incredible site of granite needles, tortured shapes and rock sculpted formations dotted with maritime pine trees.

Distance : 12km, duration : 5h00, dénivelé plus : +520m, dénivelé moins : -140m.

Day 7 : Piana to Ajaccio
You can choose to take a transfer back from Piana to Ajaccio by public bus either in the morning, or early afternoon. It is possible to do a short walk from Piana to the cove of Ficaghiola.

Walk to Ficaghjola
The cove of Ficaghjola is a small sandy creek. With its white sand and high mountains it is very picturesque. It is a favourite nightstop for passing sailboats who like to drop anchor.

Distance: 5km there and 5km back, duration: about 1h30 one way, altitude gain: +450m, descent: -450m.

Day 8:  End of holiday in Ajaccio

Carrying
You need to carry a small day sack only with a water bottle, camera, picnic and windproof jacket.
The main luggage will be transported by vehicle between the different accommodations. It is also important to consider that it may be necessary to carry your bags short distances at the start or end of your holiday. You will need the appropriate luggage (Consult with us for left luggage facilities).

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This program is an example of the itinerary we aim to adhere to. It may be possible, if situations arise that are beyond our control, for the itinerary to be modified.

Rates and Dates for Corsican Island Mystery

Dates Note: Weekly Sunday departures in season.

Other Info
Meeting: Ajaccio Hotel on Day 1
Airport: Ajaccio
Transfer: Ajaccio Hotel

Climate:

Corsica has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and moderate, dry, clear winters.
Climate varies with altitude and mountain forms though. It's rather alpine than Mediterranean in the mountains. The main mountain range divides the island roughly in half -- the North is hotter than the South, while the East is wetter than the West.

The rainiest months are March, April, October and November. It's generally dry from May to September, especially on the cost. Storms are common in the mountains during summer. In general, the East is wetter than the West. The table below shows the average rainfall in millimetres as well as number of wet days by month.
Summers are long - from May till October. Winters can be cold and there's generally snow on the highest peaks until June, but by then, the ambient temperature is in the mid-20s°C (mid 70s°F). The average for the year is 12° and the average (about 54°F) and quarterly temperatures average:

- Bags A small day pack for your water bottle, camera, picnic and waterproof. A bag, rucksack or suitcase for your main luggage 10kg maximum per person.

- For Walking Good walking shoes or boots with a good grip sole Walking socks.
   Warm fleece Shorts and T shirts.
   Swimming costume or trunks
   Towel
   2 Walking poles (optional)
   Water bottle (one litre minimum)
   Personal first aid kit with good blister protection

- For your picnics A good cutting knife, fork, spoon, plastic cup and plate some plastic bags
-Sun and rain protection Sunglasses and sun cream Sun hat Wind and waterproof jacket (Gore-tex stlye)

- Relaxing time Trainers or open sandals Warm Fleece and casual wear

Carrying
You will need to carry a day sack only, with your water bottle, camera, picnic and gortex jacket.
Our bag-moving service means you can travel light during your walks.