Staying in historic Ajaccio on the coast and in the heart of the island at Corté, we enjoy day walks through the Corsican countryside, hiking through pretty villages and spectacular valleys. We walk through the magnificent Gorge du Tavignano, with soaring mountain peaks on both sides. We also explore local markets, enjoy traditional Corsican foods and wines, and have the chance to visit the coastal town of Calvi.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
1
Join tour at Ajaccio
Our tour starts in the small busy town of Ajaccio, a picturesque, historic port with an old citadel, many restaurants and cafés. The town is famous for being the birthplace of Corsica’s most famous son, Napoleon Bonaparte and his family home in the old town is a popular visit place. You might like to grab a towel, head for a beach bar and enjoy your first dip in the Mediterranean, or just relax, explore the narrow streets and soak up the ambiance.
Overnight Simple Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
2
Ajaccio market; coastal walk
This morning we explore the local market with our tour leader on foot, which is as much a social event as a chance to stock up on groceries. In the afternoon we follow the coastal path along a section of the Sentier des Cretes and circle round ending back in Ajaccio After the walk we transfer to Corte (approx 2 hours), our base for the next 5 days. We stay in a small, family run hotel in the centre of the city. Corte is home to the island's sole university and has a lively cosmopolitan atmosphere with pavement cafes and bars, and busy weekly markets. Set at the geographical centre of the island it makes a perfect base for exploring the island.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
3
Walk through the Gorge du Tavignano
Corte is the historical capital of Corsica, during the island’s independent years it was the seat to the first democratic government. The town is situated in the very centre of the island, plunged beneath high granite mountains and at the confluence of two beautiful gorges, the Restonica and the Tavignano. Today, our walk takes us into the Tavignano gorge to enjoy some lovely wild scenery. It is an age old
shepherd’s trail that has been carefully paved through the granite cliffs. If we walk as far as the swing bridge, this makes for a great picnic and swim spot, sun baked rocks, clear water and lovely rock pools.
Approximately 5 hours walking / 13kms.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
4
Train to Venaco; Walk back to Corte
South of Corte there are a series of small nestling granite villages, in the region known as the Venachese. There are good hiking trails that link the Venachese to Corte, passing through chestnut forests, along rocky granite paths that offer lovely views of the nearby hills. We take the Micheline train in one direction from Corte in the morning to Poggio-di-Venaco, and walk back through the villages and up over the low slopes of the Corbajola mountain. The highest passage along the way will pass at 1000m, the ‘Cisterna.’ You continue on, passing beneath the summit of the ‘Punta di U Corbu’ (802m alt) which translates as Crow’s Point. The path then drops down into Corte. The late afternoon is free to enjoy the town, the interesting anthropological museum, or take a dip in one of the river rock pools.
Approximately 4.5hrs walking / 11kms.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
5
Walk to Punta di Zurmula.
Today we waklk to a small summit called Punta di Zurmula. Situated at 862m altitude it is a relatively short but challenging little walk. The path goes up through the maquis passing through some pine woods to a little col. From the col a short climb up takes you to the summit for some stunning panoramic views of the town, the river and the citadel. The descent is short rapid and fun.
Approximately 4.5hrs walking / 6.5kms to Punti di Zurmula.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
6
Free day
Today has been left free. There are plenty of options available including visiting the museum in Corte or trying out one of the many walking routes that begin in Corte. From Corte there are horse riding excursions available to book locally. If you wish to explore another part of the island, why not jump on the train/get a private transfer to Calvi. The journey itself is very pretty, you eventually come into pine tree woods, right alongside a sweeping crescent shaped beach of soft white sand that shelves gently into the sheltered waters of a large bay. An ancient Genovese citadel towers above the town and the proximity of the mountains right behind you and the sea is somewhat surreal. A few minutes’ walk from the beach and the chic waterfront there is a compact network of narrow streets, hidden corners and tall vertical houses. It’s steeped in atmosphere and history, you can’t help but be captivated as you wander about, or enjoy the scene from a beach café.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
7
Free morning in Corte; transfer to Ajaccio
We spend our last morning in Corte before making the return journey back to the busy town of Ajaccio. One of the main ports in Corsica it's a popular stopping off point with the cruise ships that ply the Mediterranean.
Overnight Simple Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
8
Tour ends in Ajaccio
The tour ends in Ajaccio after breakfast but if you have longer here there are some nice walks into the hills beyond the town starting from the 'Old English' area.
Included meals: Breakfast
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