Customwalks: Guided walking tours in Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Turkey and Croatia.
Corsica Hiking Tour Write a review
Corsica Hiking Tour Includes
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Corsica Hiking Tour itinerary Request full itinerary
Independent arrival in Bastia and check-in at the Hotel Central (or similar), located in the historic center of town. Bastia can be reached from Paris and London by direct flight, or via Italy by ferry. Take some time this afternoon to explore Bastia’s charming old town, surmounted by an imposing Genoese citadel. To get a true sense of the city, join the locals in their ritual coffee in Place Saint Nicolas. Dinner is on your own tonight. Hotel included. Dinner not included.
Meet your group after breakfast for a two-hour shuttle to the lovely port town of Calvi. We check into the Hotel Saint Erasme (or similar) and then depart for an afternoon hike along the coast to a lighthouse perched on a rocky promontory. Take a stroll through the town’s colorful streets this evening and then meet for dinner. Hike: 12 km/7.4 mi; 328m/1,076 ft elevation gain, 3 hrs. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
We have a short van transfer this morning to Aregno, one of the picturesque villages along the Haute Balagne coast. Begin your hike from an 11th century Pisan church and climb up to the hilltop town of Sant’Antonino, rated as one of the most beautiful villages in Corsica. Stop for a coffee break and try their fresh-baked fiadone, a traditional cheese pie with a hint of lemon. From there we continue towards the Convent of Corbara before reaching our lunch spot, Pigna, which has retained its medieval character with cobblestone paths, narrow alleys, and vaulted passageways. After lunch our hike takes us towards the town of Corbara before dropping back down to the coast, ending on a wide sandy beach. Relax with a cold drink or a swim in the Mediterranean before returning by van to Calvi. We meet up again tonight for another delicious dinner accompanied by some of Corsica’s fine local wines. Hike: 13 km/7.7 mi; 428m/1,352 ft elevation gain, 3.5 hrs Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.
An hour’s drive this morning takes you to the beautiful Gorge du Fango, a vast area of unspoiled nature that has been designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Hike through centuries-old chestnut forests to a sparkling river which splashes delightfully over the well-worn red and green rocks of the riverbed. Stop along the way for a picnic and a refreshing dip in the crystalline pools before resuming your hike. We then embark on one of the most dramatic drives in all of Europe as we head through the "Calenches." The narrow road winds its way along the rocky cliffs of red-orange rock, sort of like the Amalfi coast but in technicolor! Check into the four-star Hotel Capo Rosso (or similar) in Piana and enjoy breath-taking views of the coast. The Hike: 9.2 km/5.7 mi, 370m/1,214 ft elev. gain; 3h30’ Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
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. The Hike: Total 7 km/4.3 mi. 1300 ft elev gain, 3 hrs incl coffee break. Hotel and breakfast included. Dinner not included.
We leave the coast this morning and drive into the rugged interior of the island to the town of Corte. The drive takes about 3 hours, but we stop half-way for a hike through a beautiful pine forest to a series of waterfalls. We’ll picnic by the falls and maybe even have a dip in the cool mountain water before continuing our way to Corte, Corsica’s capital during their brief but fierce struggle for independence. Have a look around this charming town before re-joining your group for dinner. Overnight at the 4-star Dominique Colonna (or similar), a "hotel de charme" with a pool located a few kms outside of town. The Hike: 10 km/6 mi, 384 m/1,260ft elev. gain; 3 hrs Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
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.
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.
The hikes in Corsica, though not long in terms of distance, can be quite challenging as we ascend and descend mountain paths which are often rocky and sometimes quite steep. We have designed the trip so that there is always some free time in the late afternoon so you can relax, read, or have a swim. Breakfast is included every day, and dinners reflect the excellent traditional food of the region. Daily distance between 6 and 12 kms.
Activity Level 3 out of 5 = Moderate:
In general: This is a Moderate tour for fit hikers, and a little challenging but do-able for not-so-fit hikers.
Terrain: Rolling to hilly terrain with frequent climbs and descents, often over rocky terrain. May have some short, relatively steep climbs and descents.
Actual hiking time: between 2-5 hours per day, mostly in the morning but also in the afternoon.
Distances: Usually between 8 and 12 kms/5 and 7 miles. Max distance is 14 kms/8 miles.
Surfaces: Trails consisting of mostly compact earth, gravelly earth, and sometimes dirt-gravel roads and on occasion rocky and uneven trails.
Footing: 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.
Specifics: 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.
Hiking Poles: Recommended but not required, but if you habitually use hiking poles then you will find them helpful.
Compared to the Cinque Terre: These tours are easier than the hikes in the Cinque Terre.
Other: This tour is appropriate for fit first time “hikers” who enjoy hiking and who have good balance and who are coordinated.
Moderate Tours: Tuscany Chianti, Dordogne Hike, Sicily Hike, Lake Como Hike, and Corsica.
As a point of reference, what is a 1 out of 5 Activity rating? 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.
As a point of reference, what is a 5 out of 5 Activity rating? 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.
Getting There: 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 €9. You can also get a taxi, which will run you €45 (or €65 after 7 p.m.).
Getting Away at the End of the Trip: our trip concludes in Bastia with a morning transfer to the airport and/or ferry terminal.
If you book a trip with us you will receive detailed information about how to get to the start of your trip, or feel free to e-mail us with any specific travel questions.
5
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.
5
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.
4.6
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!
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5
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!
4.1
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.
5
\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 palpable⦠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!
5
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.
4.6
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.
4.8
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.
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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.
by 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.
by Lisa R
