Hiking in Corsica
France
Hardly any other island is as popular for hiking as Corsica - and not for nothing. One of the most popular hiking regions of the island is the Restonica Valley in the Parc Naturel Régional de Corse with two idyllic mountain lakes. But there are beautiful tours all over the island: over the peninsula of Capu di Muru in the southwest, to the "Red Rock" with the Genoese Tower on the west coast or at the northern tip of Cap Corse. Find your favorite hike on the island of Corsica!
The 10 most beautiful hikes in Corsica
Between mountains and sea - hiking in paradise Corsica
The French island of Corsica stands out as a "mountain in the sea". Because of its geographical nature, the island is perfect for hiking adventures and discovery tours. Of all the islands in the Mediterranean, Corsica has the largest percentage of mountains: over 120 peaks - some of which even exceed the 2000 meter mark! Dubbed the "king" of Corsican mountains, the 2706-meter Monte Cinto is a monument that demands a lot from hikers and climbers.
The hiking network in Corsica is wonderfully developed, with many established and popular trails leading through the island's mountainous landscape.
Corsica's high mountains may be impressive, but high altitudes are not popular with all hikers. No problem - along the coast, especially around Calvi, there are some great hiking trails that range in difficulty from easy to moderate at most. Perfect for families with children who are keen on hiking and want to go on an adventurous tour. At the end, as a reward, you can cool down in the turquoise blue sea.
Balagne, the "Garden of Corsica", offers a wonderful combination of beach and mountain paradise. Here the island shows itself from its most beautiful side. On the peaks high above the sea you have a fantastic view, which is an absolute pleasure after the effort of the climb.
On the famous GR20 through Corsica
The Grande Randonnée 20 (GR 20) is an alpine long-distance hiking trail, that is about 180 km long and leads across the Mediterranean island of Corsica. It is often called the hardest long-distance hiking trail in Europe, but the 16 stages can be mastered by experienced mountain hikers with surefootedness and a good physical condition. At the same time, the GR20 is definitely one of the best hiking tours you have ever done.
The route leads from Calenzana in the northwest across the entire island to Conca in the southeast and allows you to experience Corsica in all its glory. Along the way, you'll reach an altitude of 2,400 meters, and there are a few climbs to overcome. You will hike past icy glacial lakes, over rugged mountain slopes and through green valleys. The landscape is sometimes barren and sometimes lovely and often the intense scent of Mediterranean flora and pine forests accompanies you. A challenge can be the weather, which can quickly change between extreme heat and freezing cold.
Experienced hikers who are sure-footed can, of course, use the trail for day trips and short hikes. You can also travel by train to Vizzavona, for example, and from there follow the long-distance trail for a while.
After each stage you will have the opportunity to rest in one of the refuges and get ready for the next day!
Visit to Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica
On the southwest coast of the Mediterranean island lies the capital of Corsica, Ajaccio. With its French flair, the city stands out among the others. The city's most famous son was Napoleon. Everywhere in Ajaccio you will meet him in the form of street names, parks or statues, for example on the square Letizia.
The best way to explore Ajaccio and get to know its culture is on foot. Moreover, from there you can easily reach the surrounding nature of Corsica and discover it on numerous hiking trails. In addition to green forests and a great coastal landscape, the Richiusa Gorge or Gravona Gorge, for example, attract visitors from the city into the wilderness.
On the slopes of the Gulf of Ajaccio, the view of the small archipelago of Îles Sanguinaires is truly wonderful. Four rugged little islands of dark red porphyry rock stand out like sentinels at the entrance to the Gulf of Ajaccio. At sunset, their blood-red color comes into its own. If you are lucky, you can see the sun disappear behind the group of islands.
En Corse-du-Sud, les randonnées autour d’Ajaccio offrent de belles balades au bord de la mer Méditerranée (Golfe ...
Hikes in Corsica between dream beaches and mountains
The beautiful beach of Ostriconi is located on the edge of the Désert des Agriates, a remote coastal strip between Saint Florent and Lozari. The beach is only about one kilometer long, but the dream bay is one of the most impressive bays in Corsica. In the surrounding area you will find beautiful hiking trails that allow you to combine hiking tours with a beach and swimming excursion.
On the varied route Cima a Forca (210 m) and Punta Liatoghju (222 m) you hike to two viewpoints above the bay. Although the approximately 9.2 km long route leads to two peaks, it is easy to manage. After a sensational view of the white dune beach and the sea, you can hike along the coast of Corsica and enjoy the sea in one of the many secluded bays.
Hiker's paradise Corsica - island of beauty
Corsica rightly bears the epithet island of beauty and lives up to it. Turquoise waters, dream beaches with fine sand and mighty mountains make the Mediterranean island a hotspot for nature lovers. Almost the entire island is protected by the National Park Parc Naturel Régional de la Corse. In addition to stunning natural sites, you'll also find numerous traditional mountain villages, friendly locals and cultural attractions on Corsica.
Where is the best place to go hiking in Corsica?
- Monte San Pedrone - the highest and most beautiful panoramic peak of the forested Castagniccia, a mountain range south of Bastia. It runs east to the coast of Corsica and is bordered on the west by the valley of the Golo.
- Monte Cinto - at 2,706 meters, the peak is the highest point in Corsica and offers a unique view of the wild and romantic Corsican mountains.
- Balagne - ancient cultivated land with picturesque villages and magnificent hiking trails over Corsica, the perfect starting point for hikes.
- Col de Bavella - most beautiful mountain pass in Corsica, it is also called the Dolomites of Corsica because of its striking rocky peaks.
- Gorge of Tavignano - one of the most beautiful river valleys in Corsica, located right in the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional de la Corse.
Other highlights of Corsica:
- Bastia - picturesque old town with citadel and harbor on the northeast coast of Corsica, at the foot of the Pigno massif.
- Calvi - a fortified town in a magnificent location, Calvi is famous for its beaches and crescent-shaped bay.
- Bonifacio - a town on the southern tip of the island with breathtaking location on vertically towering cliffs.
Hiking in Corsica all year
In Corsica you can hike all year round. But in the coastal region of Corsica it gets really hot in the summer. The best time to go hiking is early in the morning and relax by the sea from noon to cool off. The best time for hiking or other active vacations in Corsica is spring or autumn.
If your trip is planned for summer, you will get the necessary cooling inland. Shady pine forests make the hikes very pleasant. Corte and the Restonica Valley are ideal places to start. After a successful tour of the surrounding peaks, you can relax your feet in the Restonica River or in the mountain lake Lac de Melo.
Reviews
Nature regions
Localization