Best of Corsica walking holidays: Calvi-Corte-Porto

Today’s walk takes you along the "Sentier du Littoral", the path set along the bar rock and follows the jagged coastline.  You discover the peninsula and its secluded little beaches perfect for a swim. You return to this same spot after completing the loop around the Revellata. From the Revellata Lighthouse you will be able to enjoy the Mediterranean and surrounding mountains. Return to Calvi along a path on the top of the peninsula.

Walk : Calvi > Revelata lighthouse > Calvi  -  4h to 5h |  15 km - 9 miles | Elevation: +220m/-220m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Calvi

You leave Calvi centre by foot  and you follow a sandy and rocky path with views behind you of the bay of Calvi and climb up to "Notre Dame de Serra" chapel.  There, you enjoy the stunning views of the bay of Calvi before taking a long and winding sandy track back down to the plains and into the heart of Calvi.
The challenging option climbs steeply and on rocky (if not Alpine) terrain towards Capu di a Veta: the Austrian Cross. The wow factor from the view at the top (altitude of 700m) is worth the climb! The return trail of the challenging walk option is up on a crest, winding to the east with views over Calvi’s airport.

Walk : Calvi > ND de Serra chapel > Calvi  -  3h |  9 km - 6 miles | Elevation: +250m/-250m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Calvi

Today is a free day in Calvi and Corte. You can enjoy Calvi and the beaches and even have an extra relaxing night in Calvi! Once arrived in Corte, please note your transfer from Calvi to Corte by train is not included (20mn from the center). Corte is the historic capital of Corsica and the cultural and political centre, set against a backdrop of incredible mountain scenery. Once you arrive in Corte there is a 10-15 mins walk to your hotel right in the town centre. Take the time to meander through the town’s authentic streets. 

Meals included : breakfast
Night : Corte

Today, you have 3 walk options

. Loop walk : Corte > Punti di I corbu > Corte | 3h30 | 10km - 6 miles | Elevation : +530m / -530m
A circular hike dedicated to Saint Teoflu, the only saint born in Corsica who saw the light of day in Corte on 30 October 1740. You hike up to the Punti di u Corbu pass from where you have a great view of Corte, the Restonica valley and the sea to the east.

. Loop walk - Tuani > Riviseccu sheperd hut > Corte | 4h30 to 5h | Elevation : +/- 600 to 650m
You have to book directly the bus shuttle that leads you from Corte to the start of the walk. A little-known valley, off the tourist radar, this wild itinerary allows you to discover the Riviseccu valley. It's full of wonders, from the Riviseccu sheepfolds to the Lariccio pine forest. These sheepfolds, in very good condition, mark the end of a forest estate. The group of sheepfolds forms a small hamlet of several well-restored huts. The setting is magnificent, with large rocky masses and the Riviseccu stream.

. Loop walk - Tragone bridge > Lake melo > Tragone bridge | 6h20 | 10 km - 6 miles | Elevation : +350m/-350m
You have to book directly the bus shuttle that leads you from Corte to the start of the walk. In 2024, there has been major landslides in this area : the road was washed away. Therefore, there is now a shuttle bus that leads you to the “Tragone bridge”. Then you have to walk 5km – 2h to the start of the walk => Return it adds 4h walk. From the Bergerie de la Grotelle at 1370m (known for their charcuteries…), the walk climbs steadily up the valley on a rocky path to the lake: Lac di Melo. Peaceful, with lots of places to enjoy a break or picnic lunch. This is the perfect lunch spot if you have a picnic. The route turns back down the same path to Lac di Melo.

Meals included : breakfast
Night : Corte

Have an extra night walk in Corte and go for an extra walk towards the emerald coloured waters of the Tavignano gorges. You leave Corte on foot and head out on your hike. You’re in the heart of the wilderness as soon as you leave the centre of Corte. The path is always easy underfoot, easy to follow and cobbled most of the way. There are no steep climbs or descents and the route follows the "Mare a Mare" path above the left bank of the Tavignano river before entering the high mountains the further you penetrate into the gorge and the scenery becomes more dramatic. At the end of the hike the path descends to a footbridge that crosses the river. There is a natural pool for a refreshing swim. Return back on the same path.

Walk : Corte > Tavignano gorges > Corte -  4h to 5h |  13 km - 8 miles | Elevation: +350m/-350m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Corte

Today your transfer from Corte to Porto is not included. You have 2 options: 

. Direct transfer with no hike . To get to Porto you can either : 
. take the train from Corte to Ajaccio and take a bus from Ajaccio to Porto. Schedule here.
. Or take a taxi : 2-hour-ride to get to Porto. ( Indicative price: from 280 €uros )
. and enjoy Porto and the seaside ! 

. Walk : La Chataigneraie > Ota | 3h30 | 9 km - 6 miles | Elevation : +50m / -600m
Transfer from Corte to La Chataigneraie (1h45) that is located on the road to Porto ( Indicative price: from 300 €uros ). The walk begins in the chestnut forest: a 15-minute walk into Evisa. From Evisa you plunge down 600m in altitude on a winding, cobbled path to the spectacular Spelunca gorge, where natural pools and centuries-old Genoese bridges await your visit. Take the time to rest by the waters and restore some energy before climbing under the shade of olive trees and into the village of Ota. Transfer from Ota to Porto. ( not included - Indicative price: from 40 €uros )

Meals included : breakfast
Night : Porto

Today, the walk takes you inland on a rugged track though the forested valley, climbing steadily and steeply.  You have 2 options, with a transfer from the end of your walk - restaurant/café there - back to Porto. 

. Walk Moderate : Piana > Calanche de Piana > Piana | 4h | 10 km - 6 miles | Elevation : +500m / -480m
Starting in the village of Piana, take the time to explore the village before setting off on your hike: Piana is listed among the most beautiful villages in France. You walk along an ancient mule path that hovers high above the sea with fantastic views of the granite pinnacles of the Calanches de Piana where the coastline is at its most spectacular: blood-red stone pinnacles jutting out of the sea and soaring hundreds of meters into the skies, creating a chaos of giant granite structures carved by water and wind. Your hike goes through the heart of these structures known as the Calanches de Piana. 

. Walk Challenging : Capu d'Orto > Calanche Piana > Capu d'Ortu | 6h | 15 km - 9 miles | Elevation : +900m / -880m
For those who would like to reach the summit Capu d’Orto, the forest quickly gives way to bare rock and it isn’t long before spectacular sea vistas open up. A steep and sun-exposed climb to the summit is rewarded by awe-inspiring 360° views taking in much of Corsica’s west coast. At an altitude of 1300m and only 3km from the coastline, Capu d’Orto is one of the best vantage spots on the entire island. Not all is lost if you choose not to complete the return walk to Capu d’Orto: our return journey remains on a scenic crest with sea views and then enters a centuries-old chestnut forest.

Meals included : breakfast
Night : Porto

Today, you walk on the "Sentier du Facteur", the path that Guy, the mailman, used every day to deliver the mail to Girolata, a village only accessible by foot or by boat. You have 2 options : 

. Walk Moderate : Col de la Croix > Girolata > Col de la Croix| 4h | 9 km - 5 miles | Elevation : +50m / -600m
Transfer to the start of your walk.T he walk takes you on the famed "sentier du facteur" – literally the “mailman’s path” – the path Guy the mailman took every day to deliver the mail to the village of Girolata, lost in time, only accessible by foot or by boat. At the remote Tuara beach you can take a secluded dip before taking a path etched into the rocky coastline to Girolata. Plenty of restaurants there and a second great swim in the Med sea ! You return to Tuara beach in a loop via the "Mare e Monti" trail (another dip!) and then retrace your steps up to the Col de la Croix, start of your walk. Transfer back to Porto.

. Walk Challenging : Curzo > Girolata > Curzo | 6h | 17 km - 10 miles | Elevation : +150m / -1300m
The full walk from the village of Curzo takes you on a steep climb up to a stunning ridgeline from where much of Corsica’s western coastline is at your feet. You descend the ridgeline in question to the Col de la Croix road pass where the "Moderate level" walk begins. The initial climb from the village of Curzo up to the crest is steep and sun-exposed.   Transfer back to Porto.

Meals included : breakfast
Night : Porto

End of your trip after breakfast in Porto. Bye Bye Corsica ...

Meals included : breakfast

- Corsica walking itineraries are Moderate + level,  due to rocky terrain.
. Some trails can be more rocky than others, and therefore may take more time to walk if you are not used to this type of terrain.
. We do our best to calculate a fair estimation of the walk ( The indicated walking time is based on no rest, no stop, no picnic).  We appreciate that this time can vary according to walking abilities.

- On some walks around Corte, we highly recommend getting a private local guide for the day.  If you are not an experienced mountain hiker and haven't been used chains and ladders to climb : he will be able to assist you, encourage you and share his knowledge and experience with you. Learn the lay of the land from those who know it best ...

- CHALLENGING walking option 
. On some walks, we give you the possibility to choose a more challenging walk
. It  is suitable only for those with hiking experience on mountainous and jagged rocky terrain. This option is for experienced hikers and the level of difficulty of the itineraries can be strenuous: more distance, more elevation gain.