West Coast Corsica hiking break with Altipiani +Added to my favoriteItem already present

This walking route is a selection of the most beautiful stages of the Mare e Monti Nord trail. We have left out the connecting stages of the Mare e Monti Nord, which have been replaced by other extremely interesting hikes.

From the calanques of Piana to the bay of Calvi, this hike follows the seafront of the Parc Régional de Corse. First overlooking the Gulf of Porto, the hiking trails take you through the heart of the Corsican scrubland, before reaching the Gulf of Girolata. The route then skirts the Scandola nature reserve, before plunging into the Gulf of Galeria and finishing in Calvi.

Each stage of this walk is a new source of wonder. Thanks to its route between the sea and the mountains, this tour offers a wide variety of landscapes: the sculpted rocks of the famous Calanches de Piana, paths running deep into the Corsican scrubland or through ancient chestnut groves, the customs officers' path overlooking the cliffs, and ridge routes dominating Corsica's jagged coastline.
On the first few days, your walks end in typical Corsican villages, such as Piana and Ota, with their interlocking red granite houses. On the other days, the walks end by the sea. You can take advantage of this to swim in the Mediterranean or simply walk along the beach at sunset. The end of your walking holiday in Calvi is unexpected; you return to civilisation, but in a gentle way. Stroll through the cobbled streets of Calvi's citadel, facing the sandy bay.

If you take the "Côte occidentale" walking holiday in spring, you'll be charmed by the scents and colours of the flowering maquis. In autumn, you'll marvel at the softness of the light.
Finally, hedonists will be seduced by the flavours of the traditional cuisine and the chance to swim in the sea every day.

YOUR ITINERARY
Day 1 Village of Piana
By coach from Ajaccio, via the gulfs of Sagone and Cargese, to the village of Piana, one of the most beautiful sites in Corsica. The village of Piana, with its pink granite houses arranged in an amphitheatre, overlooks the Gulf of Porto. The panorama becomes breathtaking as the sun sets over the Gulf of Porto.
Dinner in a small family restaurant serving Corsican cuisine based on local produce, fish or scrubland.

Overnight in a hotel ★★★.

Day 2: Calanches de Piana - Capu d'Ortu (1,294 m) - Village of Ota
You leave the village of Piana on foot along a path offering panoramic views of the Calanques de Piana and the Gulf of Porto. The path then rises in the shade of a pine forest. Suddenly, the forest opens up and you discover Capu d'Ortu, against a backdrop of Corsica's highest mountains, part of the Cinto massif. The descent is via another path that winds through the shade of the maritime pines, between the fantastic shapes of the red rocks, with a view over the Gulf of Porto.
Short taxi transfer to Ota, a well-preserved Corsican village.
Dinner in a traditional restaurant. Overnight in a bed and breakfast.
Medium route: + and - 600 m, 4h30
Sporty route: + and - 1000 m, 7h00

Day 3: Tra Mare e Monti - Bussaglia Beach
The walking route begins facing the Gulf of Porto, where the sea breezes mingle with the scents of the maquis. It then zigzags up through the narrow Vitrone gorge, with its magnificently sculpted red granite. It then reaches a large plateau that was once farmed, as evidenced by the old chestnut grove and its old drying shed, which are still clearly visible. There are large flat slabs where you can take a picnic break, sitting on a lookout facing the sea. The descent to the village takes place under dense scrubland of heather and arbutus.
Dinner and overnight in a hotel ★★★ on the beach at Bussaglia.
Medium route: + 350 m and - 650 m, 4h00
Sporty route: + 780 m and - 1080 m, 6h00

Day 4: Customs officers' path - Gradelle beach
This superb hike from Porto Vecchio will take you past numerous coves, through lush scrubland and red, black, grey and white rocks. The path winds over the jagged coastline, then plunges into a seaside cove. It then climbs along the coast, as close as possible to Gratelle beach, where dinner will be served and you'll spend the night in a bungalow.
In summer, the route is slightly modified so that you can spend the night in Curzu.
Medium route: + and - 410m, 4h00.
Sporty route: + and - 750 m, 5h30

Day 5: Sentier du facteur - Anse de Girolata
Another stage overlooking the jagged coastline of the Scandola reserve. It continues along the coastal path known as "le sentier du facteur" (the postman's path) and ends with extraordinary views over the cove at Girolata. This village is a little corner of paradise. As there are no vehicles here, it can only be reached on foot or by boat. Dinner in a restaurant on the beach, overnight in a bungalow.
Medium route: + 400 m and - 400 m, 4h30
Sporty route: + 650 m and - 650 m, 6h00

Day 6 Réserve de Scandola - Citadelle of Calvi
The trail rises above the Scandola nature reserve, a mountainous peninsula encircled by a rhyolitic cliff populated by cormorants, ospreys and wild goats. From the Col de Fuata, you can choose between two routes. The traditional Mare e Monti route follows the ridges, while an old path leads towards the sheepfolds of Focolara, before reaching the Corsican village of Galeria.
Transfer by taxi to Calvi. Evening in the heart of the Genoese city, whose citadel faces the immense beach of fine sand lined with umbrella pines. Dinner on your own. Night in a hotel ★★.
Ridge route: + 780 m and - 750 m, 6h00
Route via Focolaro: + 680 m and - 650 m, 5h30

Day 7 Morning in Calvi - End of your stay
A friendly breakfast awaits you in Calvi before the end of your stay. Departure of trains to Ajaccio or Bastia.