Mare a Mare Sud, treasures of the South with Corsica Aventure +Added to my favoriteItem already present

Between the Haut-Taravo and the Gulf of Valinco, this holiday will take you from the Cuscionu plateau to the cliffs of Bonifacio.

You'll stay in two villages: in the mountains, at Zicavo, then at Olmeto, on the heights of Valinco.

Your walks will take in a wide variety of landscapes: small mountain paths, a coastline dotted with Genoese towers, ancient casteddi and the granite villages of the Alta Rocca.

On the Cuscionu plateau, animals roam freely, while the panoramic views open out all the way to the sea.

In Olmeto, you'll be staying in the land of Colomba, heroine of Prosper Mérimée.

Further south, Bonifacio reveals itself, perched on its white cliffs facing Sardinia.

The history of Genoa comes to life as you go out to sea and stroll around the citadel.

Finally, the Valinco coast reveals the Capannella tower, an ancestral sentinel overlooking the sea.

DAY 1
From Ajaccio to Zicavo
Meet your mountain leader in Ajaccio at 9am. You will then take the minibus which, after a 1h30 drive, will take you to the village of Vutera, the starting point of your hike. The path winds its way through the foliage of chestnut trees and centuries-old oaks before reaching a casteddu. In the Middle Ages, there were nearly 300 casteddu in Corsica; this one was built in the XIVᵉ century by Lord Ristorellu d'Ornano. At the time, the castle controlled trade in the great Taravu valley. At the end of this magnificent walk, you will return to your accommodation, located in a typical village in the valley.
Distance 9 km Duration 4h30 Difference in altitude +500 m /-500 m
Overnight in Zicavo

DAY 2
The Cuscionu plateau
Leaving the village by minibus, you'll quickly gain altitude and reach an unmissable natural site at around 1,600m. The Cuscionu plateau is a vast, undulating area dominated by Monte Alcudina (2,107 m). Here you'll find beech trees tormented by the wind, lush green lawns dotted with waterholes and crossed by streams. Cows, pigs, horses and sheep roam freely here.
In the past, more than a hundred shepherding families set up summer quarters here with their wives, children and herds, to make cheese. Today, it's mainly the GR20 hikers who frequent these unique spots.

Distance 10 km Time 4h00 Difference in altitude +300 m / -300 m
Overnight in Zicavo

DAY 3
The Alta Rocca and the Gulf of Valinco
This transitional day will take you from the mountains to the sea. You'll leave the Taravo valley behind and cross the "Land of the Lords" of the Alta Rocca and its granite villages: Aullène, Serra di Scopamena, Levie, Sainte-Lucie-de-Tallano. A magnificent loop hike will take you to a small peak overlooking the region, offering exceptional views of the Paliri massif, the Aiguilles de Bavella and the Rizzanese valley as it opens out towards the sea. At the end of this discovery tour, you will reach Propriano and your accommodation in Olmeto, where Colomba, the heroine of Prosper Mérimée's novel of the same name, lived.

Distance 8 km Time 3h30 Difference in altitude +350 m / -350 m
Overnight in Olmeto

DAY 4
Bonifacio and the southern tip of the island
Early in the morning, you will leave the Gulf of Valinco to take the winding road towards the Lion de Roccapina. Then you'll round the bend to the far south, opening onto the coast of Sardinia, before reaching the great Genoese city perched on its limestone cliffs: Bonifacio. The tour begins with a boat trip to U Diu Grossu, the islet of Fazzio and Paragan beach. The rest of the day will be spent wandering around the ramparts, through the marine cemetery and the lively alleyways, in the heart of this unique city-museum, facing Sardinia.

Distance 3 km Duration 2h00 Ascent +150 m / -150 m
Night Olmeto

DAY 5
The Capannella Tower
A holiday in Corsica would not be complete without a visit to one of the hundred Genoese towers that once protected the coast from invasion. Situated to the north of the Gulf of Valinco, the Capannella Tower towers proudly between the beaches of Porto-Pollo and Cupabia. The more adventurous can climb the ladders to the guardiola, where the watchman once kept watch. You can then enjoy a final swim in the sea before taking the coastal road back to the Gulf of Ajaccio. Your guide can drop you off at the airport or continue on to the city centre, bringing to a close this magnificent journey to discover the treasures of southern Corsica.

Distance 10 km Duration 4h30 Ascent
+350 m / -350 m