France Island of Corsica Hiking Tour
Soaring Peaks, Chestnut Forests & Local Traditions
- Available: May, June, September, October
- Activity: Level 3
- Accommodations: Comfortable Hotels
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Group Size:
4-16 Guests
Highlights
- Enjoy breathtaking vistas on an accessible portion of Europe's notoriously challenging GR20 hiking trail
- Marvel at the stunning red rock formations of Calanches de Piana as they tower dramatically over the picturesque coastline
- Discover the charming village of Corte, nestled among verdant valleys and sparkling mountain lakes
Itinerary
Arrive in Ajaccio, Corsica
Day 1
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.
Accommodation: Cala di Sole-Ajaccio, France
Meals: Dinner
Discover the Calanches de Piana
Day 2
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.
Accommodation: Les Flots Bleus-Porto, France
Activity: 3 hours/5 miles hiking with 1,530' elevation gain & loss
Transportation: 2.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore the Village of Evisa & the Spelunca Gorge
Day 3
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.
Accommodation: Les Flots Bleus-Porto, France
Activity: 4 hours/5 miles hiking with 492' elevation gain & 1,968' elevation loss
Transportation: 1.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Reach the Spectacular Girolata Village
Day 4
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.
Accommodation: Les Flots Bleus-Porto, France
Activity: 2 hours/3 miles hiking with 350' elevation gain & 1,150' elevation loss
Transportation: 30-minute private van transfer & 2.5-hour boat ride
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike on the Famous GR20 to Corte
Day 5
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.
Accommodation: Dominique Colonna-Corte, France
Activity: 5.5-6 hours/12 miles hiking with 2,624' elevation gain & loss
Transportation: 2-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Follow the Manganello River to a Shepherd's Hut
Day 6
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.
Accommodation: Dominique Colonna-Corte, France
Activity: 3 hours/6 miles hiking with 985' elevation gain & loss
Transportation: 1.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike to Lac Melo
Day 7
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.
Accommodation: Dominique Colonna-Corte, France
Activity: 4 hours/5 miles hiking with 1,804' elevation gain & loss
Transportation: 1-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart from Ajaccio
Day 8
Your trip ends after breakfast with a transfer from the hotel to the airport in Ajaccio.
Meals: Breakfast
Dates & Prices
- 2024
- Go Private
- Go Custom
- Inclusions
2024
Scheduled Dates
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
Go Private
Go Private
Gather your favorite travel companions to share an MT Sobek adventure on an easy-to-book Private departure.
Call or email us to get the ball rolling.
*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.
Looking for a private family adventure?
This trip can accommodate guests with a minimum age of 16.
Private Trip Pricing:
2023 Pricing
4 to 5 guests from $6,995 per person double occupancy
6 to 7 guests from $6,795 per person double occupancy
8 to 9 guests from $6,595 per person double occupancy
2024 Pricing
4 to 5 guests from $7,295 per person double occupancy
6 to 7 guests from $6,895 per person double occupancy
8 to 9 guests from $6,695 per person double occupancy
*Seasonal rates may apply.
Additional Costs:
Private pricing excludes potential additional costs such as internal airfare, single supplement, or any park fees that may be required for the trip.
*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.
Make Your Own Dates in These Months
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May, June, September, October
Go Custom
Create Your Very Own Adventure
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
Start PlanningInclusions
Price Includes
- Expertise and services of our experienced adventure guides
- All accommodations as noted in the itinerary
- All breakfasts, almost all lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary
- Snacks and water between meals
- Additional regional guides and experts on many trips
- Comprehensive Trip Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at historic sites, museums, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the itinerary
- Special events and other select attractions as mentioned in the itinerary
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Equipment and experienced guides for activities as described in the itinerary
- Park and other entry fees (unless otherwise noted)
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the itinerary
- Select transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees
- Alcoholic beverages (MT Sobek provides wine at select events)
- Gratuities for MT Sobek guides and guide-drivers
- Travel Protection Program
- Personal expenses
Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.
Your Guides
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 L.
"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.
Marion L.
A native from Northern France, Marion has traveled through many countries in Europe, Northern Africa, and Asia. After studying international business, she decided to change her way of life and become a hiking guide. Marion wanted to be out in nature and realized that we, as humans, are also part of nature. Naturally she turned her passion into a profession that would give her the opportunity to fully enjoy and be in touch with mother nature. Marion is an enthusiastic and attentive guide who loves meeting people from all walks of life and shares her passion for hiking, local culture and food. She also practices yoga and meditation and travels either by foot or by bike.
Ariane C.
Raised in Provence, Ariane has studied English and Chinese languages, and went to live in China in the Yunnan Province, where she worked as a tour guide on trekking and classical tours from tropical forests to yack meadows. After 12 years, she came back to France and passed the french state diploma to become a professional mountain leader. Today she passionately guides hikes in Provence, the Alps and Corsica. She likes to share what nature offers, specially plants and their many uses, as well as the testimony of human history in the mountain scenery.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 3. 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.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 2
3 hours/5 miles hiking with 1,530' elevation gain & loss
Day 3
4 hours/5 miles hiking with 492' elevation gain & 1,968' elevation loss
Day 4
2 hours/3 miles hiking with 350' elevation gain & 1,150' elevation loss
Day 5
5.5-6 hours/12 miles hiking with 2,624' elevation gain & loss
Day 6
3 hours/6 miles hiking with 985' elevation gain & loss
Day 7
4 hours/5 miles hiking with 1,804' elevation gain & loss
Accommodations
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
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
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
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.
Weather
Corsica is dry, Mediterranean, and unshaded. In the mountains it is cool with possible storms.
FAQs
Who will meet me on arrival?
You will be met by your guide(s) at the Ajaccio airport upon your arrival.
What's the best way to get to Corsica by plane from mainland France?
You can fly into the Ajaccio airport (AJA), where the trip starts, from the Paris Orly airport (ORY), Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG), Nice airport (NCE), or Marseille airport (MRS).
What's the best way to get to Corsica by boat?
You can take a ferry from Nice to Ajaccio, where the trip starts. You can see a schedule and book tickets at Corsica Ferries www.corsica-ferries.co.uk/
Are there swimming pools at the hotels on this trip?
There is only 1 hotel on this trip that has a swimming pool, the 1st night's hotel - Cala di Sole. However, on nights 2, 3 and 4, our hotel is located directly on the beach.
Can I wear trail shoes/cross training shoes on this trip?
A good trail shoe with a low ankle is acceptable on this trip. Please make sure your hiking shoes have a good lug sole.
