A Corsica walking holiday exploring the remote west coast
The village of Porto
The village of Porto is located on the west coast of Corsica. It is a small port that attracts many tourists every year who come to admire the yachts & fishing boats and enjoy the ambiance of the many bars and restaurants. There is a large pebble beach, ideal for relaxing and enjoying the refreshing water. There is also a fortified 16th century Genoise tower that served as a lookout for possible attacks and today houses a small museum dedicated to the history or Corsica.
A walking tour in Corsica: discovering the gulf of Porto
The village of Porto is part of the Gulf of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 that also includes the small fishing village of Girolata, the Piana calanches and the Scandola Nature Reserve. It is an area of stunning natural beauty with important geological and ecological values and offers incredible hiking trails though some of the most impressive landscapes on the island.
A self-guided walking trip in Corsica thought the incredible Calanches of Piana
The Calanches of Piana are certainly a must see when on a walking holiday in Corsica. It is a chain of red coloured cliffs, culminating at about 600m, that, due to erosion, have formed incredible geological shapes. On foot is the best way to explore the calanches and the walking trail starts in the village of Piana and leads you along a beautiful ancient mule path, high above the sea with breathtaking views. You even walk through and under some of the rock formations.
The tiny village of Girolata
A small hamlet only accessible on foot or by boat, Girolata is a unique place to visit. There are only a handful of people that live here all year round and the hamlet thrives mainly from tourism. Your Corsica walking tour takes you along the famous “Sentier du facteur” (mailman’s path) to access the beach and the village, with incredible views and vantage points over the bay of Girolata and a swimming opportunity along the way on the wild beach of Tuara. Once in the village, walk up to the castle and admire the bay and the Scandola Nature Reserve, an exceptional area of Corsican biodiversity.
The Scandola Nature Reserve
This wonderful nature reserve, both terrestrial and maritime, is home to a variety of fauna and flora, including the Osprey, the emblematic bird of the area. There are strict regulations in place regarding visitors; you can only access the nature reserve by boat, and it is forbidden to walk or dive in the reserve in order to protect the wildlife. It is a truly stunning location and most definitely worth exploring on your Corsica walking stay. We highly recommend booking your boat tickets in advance as there is a high demand.
