Corsica Hike

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DETAILS

Corsica Hike:

Corsica’s sandy beaches, rocky coves, dramatic rock formations, and crystal-clear mountain pools are all accessible on foot, thanks to a wonderful network of hiking trails.
Our guided hiking tour explores the northwest part of this beautiful Mediterranean island, introducing you to its countryside, cities, and coastline. Along the way, you’ll enjoy Corsica’s award-winning wines, regional cuisine, and charming small inns. Experience the charm, hospitality, and fiery spirit of this beautiful French island.

General Details

Location:
France

Duration:
8 Days/7 Nights

Departing from:
Bastia on Day 1

Tour finishes:
Bastia on Day 8 (Saturday)

10 Guest reviews:
Average rating 4.9/5

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Departures and Price 2026

Oct 17

Book this tour from €4,700.00* pp.

Book now

2026 Price:* €4,700 per person in double occupancy, with a minimum of 6 participants. €5,050 per person for a group of 4–5 participants. The tour is a guaranteed departure with a minimum of 4 participants. Single supplement €700. One guide accompanies departures of 4–8 people. Two guides accompany departures of 9 or more people. Please read our Guaranteed Departure Policy.

2027 Price: €4,900 per person in double occupancy, with a minimum of 6 participants. €5,250 per person for a group of 4–5 participants. Single supplement €700.

2027 Dates: Oct 16.

*Private departures are also available. Pick any date that suits you!

Included

Accommodation: 1 night Bastia, 2 nights Calvi, 2 nights Piana, and 2 nights near Corte. Three nights in superior 3-star hotels or “Chambre d’hôtes de charme and four nights in 4-star hotels.

Meals: 7 breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches, and 5 dinners

Luggage: Bags are transferred starting from Day 2 in Bastia to the final drop-off at the Bastia airport

Transport: Private van transfers as noted in the itinerary

Active days: 6 days of guided hiking

Guides: At least 1 bilingual Customwalks guide accompanies departures of 2 - 8 people; 2 guides accompany departures of 9 or more people

Max group size: Tours are capped at 14 people

Getting to and from the tour::

Arrival: we begin and end our trip in Bastia, which is easily reached by air from France, and by ferry from Italy and southern France.

Air: a number of airlines fly into Bastia, including Air France, CCM Airlines (Air Corsica), Air Linair, Lufthansa, and Luxair; as well as a changing array of low-cost carriers: EasyJet, Transavia (Amsterdam), Thomson Airlines (from the U.K.), Jetairfly (Brussels) and Volotea (Barcelona). See the Bastia “Poretta” airport website for more information. For a complete list of French airports and a selection of low-cost airlines, see our "Transport Info" page. At the bottom of the page you will also find information about the French railway system (the SNCF).
Ferry: there are daily ferries from cities in southern France (Toulon, Marseille, Nice) to Bastia with Corsica Ferries or the SNCM (in French) and overnight ferries from Marseille with La Meridionale. You can also get ferries from the Italian cities of Genoa, Savona and Livorno (1.5-2 hrs from Florence) with Moby Lines and Corsica Ferries. Ferries take 4-6 hours, depending on destination and type of ferry. Be sure to shop around before you buy! Here’s a really complete website, Direct Ferries, with lots of information, or also try Corsica for Hikers for more information.
Getting to the Hotel: there is an airport bus ("Navette") to downtown Bastia, it takes about 35 minutes and costs €10. You can also get a taxi, which will run you €45 (or €65 after 7 p.m.).

Departure: our trip concludes in Bastia with a morning transfer to the airport and/or ferry terminal.

If you sign up for this tour, you’ll receive detailed information about travel logistics, including a "Final Bulletin" with clear instructions on how to reach the first hotel. The bulletin will also include your guide’s cell phone number for any assistance you may need.

ITINERARY

Day by Day

Day 1: Welcome to Bastia: A Taste of Corsican Charm

Independent arrival in Bastia, where you’ll check into the charming Hotel Central (or similar), ideally situated in the historic heart of town. Bastia is easily reached by direct flights from Paris and London, or by ferry from Italy. This afternoon, take a stroll through the atmospheric old town, crowned by its impressive Genoese citadel, and soak up the lively Mediterranean ambiance. For a taste of local life, join the townsfolk for a coffee in the elegant Place Saint Nicolas. Dinner is on your own this evening, with plenty of excellent options to choose from nearby. Hotel included. Dinner not included.

Day 2: Coastal Wonders: Calvi and Lighthouse Trails

Start your day with a leisurely breakfast of warm croissants, homemade jams, and fresh coffee in the courtyard of the charming Hotel Central. A scenic two-hour drive then brings us to the lovely port town of Calvi, where we check into the welcoming Hotel Saint Erasme (or similar). This afternoon, we set out on a coastal hike that climbs gently above the sea, offering views of dazzling white-sand beaches, before reaching a lighthouse set on a rocky promontory. Back at the hotel, you may choose to cool off with a swim in the pool or wander through Calvi’s colorful streets. This evening, we gather for dinner at a local bistro. Hike: 12 km/7.4 mi; 328m/1,076 ft elevation gain, 3 hrs. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

Day 3: Villages and Views: From Aregno to the Sea

This morning a short van transfer brings us to Aregno, a charming village on the Haute Balagne coast. Our hike begins at an 11th-century Pisan church and climbs to Sant’Antonino, one of the officially designated “most beautiful villages in Corsica.” Pause here for a coffee and a taste of fiadone, the island’s traditional lemon-scented cheese tart. From Sant’Antonino, we continue toward the Convent of Corbara and on to the village of Pigna, where cobblestone lanes, vaulted passageways, and medieval character make the perfect setting for our lunch stop. Afterward, the trail leads us past Corbara and gently descends toward the coast, finishing on a wide sandy beach—an ideal place for a refreshing swim or a cool drink. This evening, we gather for another memorable dinner paired with Corsica’s excellent local wines. Hike: 13 km/7.7 mi; 428m/1,352 ft elevation gain, 3.5 hrs Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.

Day 4: Gorge Adventures: Fango and the Calenques

This morning we drive an hour to the Gorge du Fango, a pristine valley recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. Our hike leads through ancient chestnut forests to a sparkling river that tumbles over smooth red and green rocks, where we pause for a picnic and a refreshing swim in its crystalline pools. In the afternoon, we continue along one of Europe’s most spectacular roads, threading through the striking “Calanques,” where sheer cliffs of red-orange stone plunge toward the sea—like the Amalfi Coast, but in vivid technicolor. Tonight, we settle into the four-star Hotel Capo Rosso (or similar) in Piana, with sweeping views over this unforgettable coastline. The Hike: 9.2 km/5.7 mi, 370m/1,214 ft elev. gain; 333m/1092 ft elev. loss; 3h30’. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

Day 5: Red Rock Marvels: Les Calanches and Beyond

Our hike this morning goes through “Les Calanches,” another UNESCO protected site. It is a vast expanse of red porphyry rock, eroded into magnificent towers, chasms and animal shapes stretching down to the sea. We return to Piana for lunch, and then offer some optional afternoon activities: we can do another hike out to a Genoese tower, or have a swim and relax on a wide sandy beach, or explore the Greek village of Cargese. Enjoy an aperitif on the terrace of our hotel and then head off on your own for a “free night” dinner. Your guides have lots of suggestions, from simple bistros to fine dining. The Hike: Total 7 km/4.3 mi. 1300 ft elev gain and loss, 3 hrs incl coffee break. Hotel and breakfast included. Dinner not included.

Day 6: Waterfalls and Independence: Journey to Corte

This morning we leave the coast behind and journey into Corsica’s rugged interior toward the historic town of Corte. The three-hour drive is broken up with a beautiful hike through fragrant pine forest leading to a series of waterfalls, where we enjoy a picnic lunch and, for the brave, a refreshing dip in the cool mountain pools. We then continue on to Corte, once the capital of Corsica during its brief but spirited fight for independence. Take some time to explore this charming town before gathering for dinner. Tonight’s stay is at the 4-star Dominique Colonna (or similar), a delightful hôtel de charme with a pool, set just outside town. The Hike: 10 km/6 mi, 384 m/1,260ft elev. gain; 3 hrs Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

Day 7: Glacial Grandeur: Hiking Corsica's High Peaks

We have a spectacular last day of hiking today, along mountain trails which lead to a series of glacial lakes. The dramatic change in scenery will make you feel like you’ve been transported to the Alps, and you will fully experience the diversity and beauty of this amazing island. Head into town for a drink together before our final night's dinner of local specialities.The Hike: 8.7 km/5.3 mi, 475 m/1,550ft elev. gain; 3 hrs Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

Day 8: Farewell Corsica

This morning we offer a one-hour transfer to Bastia airport. There are several flights a day to Paris and other destinations in Europe, as well as ferries to both France and Italy. Breakfast and transfer included.

Please note: Some details of the itinerary may change according to the departure date of your tour. Whenever we run a tour we make new discoveries. Sometimes they are good discoveries, like a wonderful new trattoria, and sometimes they are bad, like a trail has been washed away. The result is that we sometimes change our itinerary to improve it by adding new wonderful elements to the tour or by removing something that does not work anymore. Rest assured, our goal is to always provide you with the best possible experience. We will advise you of any changes to the original itinerary prior to departure.

05 French breakfast Corsica Customwalks tours

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ACTIVITY LEVEL

Are you ready?

ACTIVITY RATING: 3 = Moderate

This is a Moderate tour for fit hikers, and a little challenging but do-able for not-so-fit hikers.

between 2-5 hours per day, mostly in the morning but also in the afternoon.

Level 3 Distances: Usually between 8 and 12 kms/5 and 7 miles. Max distance is 14 kms/8 miles.

Rolling to hilly terrain with frequent climbs and descents, often over rocky terrain. May have some short, relatively steep climbs and descents.

Trails consisting of mostly compact earth, gravelly earth, and sometimes dirt-gravel roads and on occasion rocky and uneven trails.

Good, but on occasion you have to pay attention to where and how you place your feet. Proper hiking shoes with thick soles with good treads are required. Sport sandals, running shoes and tennis shoes are not adequate.

Recommended but not required, but if you habitually use hiking poles then you will find them helpful.

This tour is appropriate for fit first time “hikers” who enjoy hiking and who have good balance and who are coordinated.

Tuscany Chianti, Dordogne Hike, Sicily Hike, Lake Como Hike, and Corsica.

We hike 2-4 hours a day, some of which is on easy coastal track while other days involve rocky terrain and some steep sections. The final day's hike up to a glacial lake has a steep section at the end, but you could stop before that if you didn't feel up to it.

These tours are easier than the hikes in the Cinque Terre.

A 1 out of 5 rated tour is a tour without any hiking. Walks would be in towns, cities, and villages, and the countryside walks would be on paved, or gravel/dirt roads, and occasionally on some packed earth trails. Elevation gain and loss would be negligible.

A 5 out of 5 rated tour is a tour that would be physically challenging and technically difficult even for very fit and experienced hikers. The hikes would have steep ascents and descents on narrow, exposed trails with challenging footing, such as on scree fields, or through rock falls and boulders. Distances would be up to 25 km/16 miles per day and feature ascents of over 1,000 m/3,200 feet in a day. A 5 out of 5 tour would also mean that you would be carrying a heavier-than-normal pack. None of our tours are rated 5 out 5. Our most challenging tours are 4.5 out of 5, and they are the Dolomites Alta Via (because of some exposed trail that requires some technical expertise) and our Republic of Georgia tour which has some long hikes with over 1,000 meters of elevation gain.

Map

REVIEWS

Our Travelers
have their say

This was our first group hike and we were concerned if it would be fun. The trip turned out to be fantastic. The logistics were so handled efficiently by the guides. The hotels felt special with great views. The guides made great restaurant selections and they accommodated my gluten-free diet. I would do another tour with Customwalks again.

Corsica Hike March 2023

Stefan R

Fantastic variety of coastal, river, and mountain hiking. The hotels were first class with stunning views, well beyond our expectations. Our guides, Melissa and Gianni, made the entire trip smooth and always surprised us with local snacks on the trail. It would have been impossible to replicate this trip on our own. We wish we had a few more days to explore. It was great.

Corsica Hike March 2023

Lisa R

What an unexpectedly beautiful country! The sea, the mountains, historic hill towns and a rich, proud culture. The hiking was varied and well-paced. The food was outstanding. But it was the guides - knowledgeable, flexible, friendly, and supportive - who made the trip memorable. They shaped our unlikely group into a band of happy traveling companions. The care that went into planning this itinerary, and the thoughtful attention to each guest's needs and goals, makes the effort to book with this organization really worthwhile. Thinking about it? Just go!

Corsica Hike March 2023

Brian J

Fabulous trip well organised so great to have Manu and Clair as our guides with the added bonus of Brett. It was like travelling with old friends. Great accomodation excellent food and wine. 5 Stars all the way.

Corsica Hike July 2019

Denise M

Very enjoyable first-time walking trip experience with Manu and my fellow walkers. Manu was quite creative in tailoring the scheduled hikes to different levels of hiking experience, and she offered "alternatives" (like a massage at one of the hotels) for those of us who wanted less hiking time for whatever reason. The restaurant choices offered excellent variety of local food and wine specialties, and the Corsican towns were interesting to explore. Corsica has spectacular and varied scenery, and each day offered new and exciting terrain to appreciate. Manu showed many talents as our guide as she masterfully drove us on the winding narrow roads to our hiking adventures, translated the nuances of French menus so we knew what we were eating, and coordinated a birthday celebration for a fellow hiker. Bravo!

Corsica Hike March 2019

MaryE

It's impossible to cover Corsica in a week, but we tried, from the rocky coast to the possibly rockier interior. The trails were beautiful and sometimes challenging, but Manu was able to make adjustments and accommodations to suit hikers with differing skills and interests. All the hotels were comfortable with beautiful views, and all served breakfast outdoors. What a way to start the day! Tour highlights were the Scandola Marine Reserve (by boat) and the final day's hike to Lake Melo. Fine food and wine everywhere.

Corsica Hike July 2018

J Mowery

Sustainable, culturally minded, authentic, superlative, and timely.\ These are the criteria National Geographic Traveler required when it listed Corsica as a 2015 âmust seeâ destination. I couldnât agree more. With its rich history, charming villages, extraordinary geographic diversity, and exquisitely prepared and presented cuisine, Corsica has it all. With Custom Walks leading the way, youâll be sure to see all of the highlights with none of the stress associated with planning your own tour. This was my third tour with Custom Walks and it definitely wonât be my last! With Custom Walks you know that every day of your vacation will be perfectly planned and executed -- hikes designed to capture the most breathtaking views, clean and elegant hotels, restaurants that are out of this world, and cultural experiences you would never find on your own. Custom Walks does it all, and its guides are friendly, knowledgeable, and super-fun. Manu has been a guide on all three of my tours. Her enthusiasm and pure joy in introducing others to beautiful places is palpableâ¦ and contagious. She is phenomenal! Corsica truly is a âmust seeâ. Stunningly beautiful scenery, amazing, gorgeously presented food and, of course, the perfect guide. Definitely not to be missed!

Corsica Hike July 2015

J. Hagen

This was my third walk with Customwalks. Superbly looked after by Claire and Manu, this walk was fabulous. I loved the contrasts of coastal walks and hilly forest climbs giving far reaching views and a sense of achievement. The piece de resistance was the final walk to Lac du Melo where some of us were a little challenged by the climb, but utterly rewarded when we arrived at the glacial lake. The accommodation was excellent, particularly at Piana where the magnificent Les Roches Rouges looked out forever over the coast and jagged red porphyry rocks of the area (thatâs my pic of the shoes on the balcony!). The history of the Island, the architecture, and the food and wine were strongly French, which was very interesting. The weather was excellent in early September and I strongly recommend this walk.

Corsica Hike April 2015

Gabrielle, Australia

This was my second trip with Customwalks, and they did not disappoint. Our guides, Claire and Manu, did a great job, and the incredible and diverse scenery of Corsica definitely exceeded my expectations. While one of the hotels did not meet my expectations, everything else about this trip was truly enjoyable.

Corsica Hike March 2015

R. Milzer

Fabulous trip. Incredible scenery, great hiking, variety of other activities too. I could have used tougher hiking but think it was the perfect amount for most people on the trip and was as advertised in the brochure. My 3rd trip with Custom Walks. When I pick a place I want to go I always check to see if they lead trips there. My go to operator.

Corsica Hike February 2015

Sue in Vail