France Island of Corsica Hiking Tour

Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Anne-Charlotte Luneau

"Life is too short to be bored" could be Anne-Charlotte's mantra. Her travels have taken her around the world, and she's worked several trades, from denturist to lumberjack! But the one constant has always been her love of nature. As a guide, Anne-Charlotte began along the rough trails of Corsica before favoring the rolling hills of Provence. Soft-spoken, attentive, and with a heart of gold, Anne-Charlotte will ensure your Provence experience will be a memorable one. And don't try to stump her on anything botany-related: it won't work.

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                    [Headline] => Arrive in Ajaccio, Corsica
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Start the adventure in Ajaccio, the island\'s capital, and the birthplace of Napoleon. Transfer from the Ajaccio airport to the hotel, secluded along the untamed coastline. Have a briefing at 6pm, followed by a festive welcome dinner.
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                    [Longitude] => 8.738635 E
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                    [Headline] => Discover the Calanches de Piana
                    [ActivityOverview] => 3 hours/5 miles hiking with 1,530\' elevation gain & loss
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Meet the guides in the morning and transfer to the Calanches de Piana (about 90 minutes by car) for the first hike. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these blood red pinnacles soar out of the jagged coastline, creating improbable inlets and shapes. The hiking trail meanders through the red rock, rising high above the plunging cliffs, with jaw-dropping viewpoints over the sea. Spot your home for the next three nights, the tiny port village of Porto nestled below the granite cliffs. Enjoy dinner together this evening.
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                    [Latitude] => 42.265967 N
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                    [Headline] => Explore the Village of Evisa & the Spelunca Gorge
                    [ActivityOverview] => 4 hours/5 miles hiking with 492\' elevation gain & 1,968\' elevation loss
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Head into the hills and enter the village of Evisa, perched high above the sea, surrounded by vast forests of chestnut and pine. Follow the deeply encased Spelunca Gorge on a centuries-old mule track, which still has remnants of its cobbled path and stone walls. Enjoy a riverside picnic and an opportunity to swim. Take in Genoese bridges, 200-year-old marvels of stone architecture, and end in the equally charming village of Ota before returning to Porto. Enjoy dinner on your own at one of the restaurants on the port.
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                    [Headline] => Reach the Spectacular Girolata Village
                    [ActivityOverview] => 2 hours/3 miles hiking with 350\' elevation gain & 1,150\' elevation loss
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Just north of Porto follow the Mare e Monti path that links the sea to the mountains. Take in the maquis vegetation of heather, boxwood, and Corsican pine, and descend to a secluded beach for a dip and a picnic. Continue along the Sentier du Facteur - "the mailman\'s path" - the one path a mailman took for 30 years to deliver the mail to the village of Girolata. Marvel at the handful of golden-stone homes huddled on a promontory above the bay. Return to Porto by boat and enjoy dinner together.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 30-minute private van transfer & 2.5-hour boat ride
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                    [Headline] => Hike on the Famous GR20 to Corte
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5.5-6 hours/12 miles hiking with 2,624\' elevation gain & loss
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Get an early start and transfer to the Col de Vergio pass (60 minutes by minibus). Tackle the famous GR20 hiking path, the toughest and arguably most spectacular trail in all of Europe. Cover one of its most majestic sections, along switchbacks up to a grassy crestline with dazzling views to the sea below, and to the fairy-tale Lac de Nino Lake surrounded by deep-green grassy bogs with the backdrop of serrated summits. Continue by vehicle through canyon roads to reach the town of Corte, home for the next three nights.
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                    [Latitude] => 42.254655 N
                    [Longitude] => 8.938610 E
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                    [Headline] => Follow the Manganello River to a Shepherd\'s Hut
                    [ActivityOverview] => 3 hours/6 miles hiking with 985\' elevation gain & loss
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Today, begin the hike in the lost village of Canaglia, along the leisurely Mare a Mare route through the center of the island, following alongside the Manganello River. Reach a remote shepherd\'s hut on a clearing with views of high summits, and savor a picnic lunch featuring local cheeses and charcuterie. Hike back and return to Corte by minivan. Take the time to meander through the streets of the island\'s historic capital, before having dinner together in the center.
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                    [Latitude] => 42.309409 N
                    [Longitude] => 9.149022 E
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                    [Headline] => Hike to Lac Melo
                    [ActivityOverview] => 4 hours/5 miles hiking with 1,804\' elevation gain & loss
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Wake up before sunrise and take the minibus on a 30-minute ascent up the Restonica Valley. Hike up a rocky path to one of Corsica\'s most emblematic glacial lakes, Lac Melo, at 5,576 feet surrounded by imposing cliffs. Interested in some easy scrambling (with chains and ladders to assist)? Opt to continue up to Lac di Capitello, some 650-feet higher. Head back down and enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to the hotel for a free afternoon. Enjoy dinner together in town.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 1-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 42.213195 N
                    [Longitude] => 9.022908 E
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                    [Headline] => Depart from Ajaccio
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Your trip ends after breakfast with a transfer from the hotel to the airport in Ajaccio.
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    [ActivityHighlight] => You should be comfortable hiking 6-7 miles per day in addition to one 12-mile day. Typical elevation gain and loss is 2,000 - 2,500 feet. Terrain is varied but sometimes may include rocky or uneven sections.
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Accommodations

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Waterfront hotels, converted historic monasteries, and riverside retreats all feature excellent service, great views, and the full spectrum of amenities.

Cala di Sole-Ajaccio, France

Comfortable Hotel

A waterfront hotel with stunning views of the Gulf of Ajaccio, Cala di Sole has its own private white-sand beach, lined with chairs and umbrellas. A swimming pool, tennis courts, bowling green, and gym help guests stay active. This small family-owned property has friendly staff and simply furnished rooms featuring five-star views of the gulf.

Les Flots Bleus-Porto, France

Comfortable Hotel

A charming hotel right on the waterfront, Les Flots Bleus showcases views of the Gulf of Porto. Each room comes complete with a balcony from which to take in panoramic vistas, as well as A/C, flat-screen TVs, bathrooms, and Wi-Fi. Located in an area popular for snorkeling, the hotel has a comfortable lounge as well as mini-golf.

Dominique Colonna-Corte, France

Comfortable Hotel

Blending seamlessly into the surrounding forests and cliffs above, the Dominique Colonna balances elegant, contemporary architecture and accommodations with regional charm. Swim in the gorgeous pool, sip local wines on a patio above a bustling creek, or enjoy a private massage. At the end of the day, unwind in gorgeous rooms, whose wood and stone furnishings echo the natural surroundings.

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