Hike Corsica's Mountains & Coast

Experience Overview

Between France and Italy, yet with its own cuisine, culture and language, Corsica is a unique island of dramatic beauty. Hike its most picturesque trails on this expertly led small-group adventure. Basing ourselves in both Corte and Saint-Florent, we hike through gorges and pine forests, pass swimmable rock pools and discover the coast. Split between the mountains and coast, we also experience classic Corsican hospitality in two very different settings.
Trip For You
This trip is graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us. Hikes: Some of the hikes take place in a mountainous area, so the trails have plenty of ascent and descent. The maximum height gain and loss is 2,789ft (850m). Our longest walking day is 5hr 30 mins. At the coast we follow well marked trails with very little ascent and descent. Terrain: Corsica has a network of long-established trails and walking paths, most well maintained and way marked. Even so, paths are rocky and walking boots with good ankle support and tread are essential.
Eating Drinking
Corsica is famous for charcuteries and brocciu cheese, fresh local herbs, gamey meats and fish. A buffet breakfast is provided in each hotel and on walking days we'll take a packed lunch with us for the trails. Please bring a reusable container to reduce waste. Vegetarians can be catered for, but the options can be more limited.
Transportation
All transfers are in a private minibus but we also use a boat for transportation to the start point of one of our hikes.
Joining Instructions
Key information Start hotel: Varies by departure, please check your documentation Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There is a welcome briefing around 6pm in the evening. Airport: Bastia Airport (BIA) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately a one-hour drive from the airport. Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer. Catching your return flight There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for those booked onto a chosen flight. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
The best weather for walking in Corsica comes in late spring/early summer, late summer and early autumn. Average daily temperatures in the mountains between May and June range from 21C to 28C (70F to 82F) and in September from 20C to 26C (68F to 79F). The days are usually clear and fresh, avoiding the sultry humidity of midsummer. The average summer temperature at sea level is 26C (79F) and slightly lower in Corte and in the interior mountains. Sunshine can substantially change the heat perception. Higher temperatures are expected between the second half of June until late August/early September where it can exceed 30C (86F). There is always the possibility of rain, and it can be very heavy when it comes. Therefore, it is necessary to have a fleece and good quality waterproofs at the ready. In the event of poor weather we may need to amend sections of the itinerary. For this reason, you need everything from swimwear and sunscreen to a warm layer and good quality waterproofs.
Spending Money
Allow about €25-30 per dinner not included. In addition, you need about €5-€10 per day for drinks and snacks. About €175 to €200 should be sufficient to cover the above, plus souvenirs, optional excursions/entry fees during your free day. Local taxes: French hotels must apply a taxe de sejour to all overnight guests. This fee varies depending on the hotel category, the season and number of days of stay. It is usually between €1.40 and €1.80 per person per night. For this trip, we recommend allowing €1.50 per night. This is payable directly to the hotel. Optional excursions Corte — Corse Museum in Corte entrance: €5.50 Bastia — Bastia Museum: €5
Tipping
Although optional, a tip for the tour leader at the end of the trip is greatly appreciated. The sum you choose to give is entirely personal, but as a reasonable starting point, we suggest a contribution from €20 to €25 per person for the tour leader.

Highlights

Discover the impressive mountain scenery and diverse landscapes of Corsica on foot — Get a taste of the celebrated GR20, a long-distance hiking trail that crosses the island — Spend a free day in historic Bastia — Discover the sparkling bay of Saint-Florent sheltered by the untamed Agriates Desert — Walk wild coastal trails alongside scrubland, sandy creeks and limestone caves

View Larger Map

Trip Details

Product Code: 39061

Tour Type: Small Group

Accommodation: Moderate

Transport: ur hikes.

Guide Language: English

Travel Styles: Budget

Supplier Code: TCO

Starts:

Finishes:

Duration: 8 days

Departures: Guaranteed

Physical rating: Average

Includes

All accommodation: 7 Classic nights (hotels) — All breakfasts, fives lunches, two dinners — Immersive itinerary with all transport and listed activities — Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure — Group arrival and departure transfers available

Accommodation

Classic hotels in the mountains and by the coast
We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines. On this trip we usually spend three nights in Corte at a hotel on the main street and four nights close to the port in the charming town of Saint-Florent. Upgrade to a sea-view room on Day 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the itinerary – speak to your sales representative for more details. Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book. Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $4240 (CAD $530 /day)

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Adventure starts in Corte

Our adventure begins in Corte, a picturesque town and the one-time capital of the island. Around 6pm, say salute to your tour leader and fellow travellers, where we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead during a welcome briefing. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome over dinner together, a three-course meal at a great restaurant close to the hotel. Want extra time in Corsica? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

2

Day 2: Walk up to Punta di u Corbu in the Restonica Gorges, back down through pine forests

Start the week with an exploration of the Restonica Gorges. From downtown Corte, we hike towards the Chapel of Saint-Antoine. The trail gradually climbs up to Punta di u Corbu, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. At the top of a small pass, we can enjoy superb views, before descending through a pine forest towards the Restonica River. The descent continues along the road, bordered by the crystal-clear waters of the river, back to the hotel. Today's route involves a steep slope and some stony terrain.

3

Day 3: Tavignano Valley and the historic town of Corte

We walk up the Tavignano Gorge along part of the Mare a Mare (Sea to Sea), a long-distance hiking trail traversing the island from east to west. We stop for lunch next to beautiful rock pools where it's possible to swim in good weather. On this route there is a steep, stony section to access the river. Return along the valley to Corte, where we have some time to explore. You may want to visit the citadel, a fortified château founded on a rocky peak in 1419. To go inside, you need to purchase a ticket to the Musée de la Corse, an anthropological museum in the barracks below. Alternatively, explore the historic centre, stopping at one of the many cafes, gelaterias and restaurants, or cool off with a swim in the Tavignano River.

4

Day 4: Hike part of the GR20 to Bocca Palmente; to Saint-Florent by the coast

We check out of our hotel in Corte this morning and transfer by bus (40-minutes) to the start of the hike in Vizzavona. We begin our walk along the GR20 to Bocca Palmente at a brisk pace. This route includes sections through pine and beech forest and spectacular views out to Monte d’Oro and the east coast. There may be the opportunity for an optional extension to the clear water of the Cascades des Anglais rock pools. After today's hike, we transfer around two hours from Vizzavona to Saint-Florent to spend the next four nights by the coast. Our included dinner will be a three-course meal at the hotel. Upgrade to a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

5

Day 5: Free day to discover Bastia

A transfer is included from Saint-Florent to Bastia (30-minutes). The day is free for you to discover the coastal town of Bastia, the emblematic city of Haute Corse, at your own pace. You may want to explore the citadel and emblematic old port or visit the Musée de Bastia, a place of remembrance and history. At the end of the day we return by private bus to Saint-Florent. Upgrade to a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

6

Day 6: Coastal walking to Punta Vecchiaia

Leaving directly from the hotel we walk in the direction of Olzo Beach, the starting point of the northern coastal trail of Saint-Florent. This untamed stretch of coastline offers views across the entire gulf, including landmarks such as the Genoese Mortella Tower, Punta Mortella, and Punta di Curza. Impressive limestone cliffs rise steeply and plunge into the turquoise sea. As the trail winds along secluded coves reveal themselves, the scent of the Mediterranean filling the air as we brush past the vegetation. The limestone rock formations stand in stark contrast to the rest of Corsica, which is predominantly granite or schist. This afternoon is free to visit Saint-Florent and soak up its charming village atmosphere. There is a small, picturesque fishing port and the historic Nebbiu Cathedral to discover. Upgrade to a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

7

Day 7: Short boat ride; start Sentier des Douaniers

From Saint-Florent, we take a 20-minute boat ride to Lotu beach which marks the start of the Customs Officers’ Path. This coastal trail starts on the west side of the bay of Saint-Florent, a wild and rugged area featuring fragrant maquis vegetation and pristine sandy beaches. Along the way we discover the rich agro-pastoral history of the Agriates Desert, shaped by centuries of farming and seasonal livestock migrations. Today's walk will include sweeping views and swimming stops in crystal-clear coves. Upgrade to a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

8

Day 8: Adventure ends in Saint-Florent

The adventure ends after breakfast. Speak to your sales representative if you’d like to extend your stay with additional time in Corsica.

Similar Experiences

Amalfi Coast: Hike & Kayak

8 Days from CAD $2,801

Hike Morocco's Atlas Mountains

8 Days from CAD $689

Hike Morocco's Anti-Atlas Mountains

8 Days from CAD $1,805

Hike Bulgaria's Rodopi Mountains

8 Days from CAD $1,595

Pakistan: Hike the Karakoram Mountains

9 Days from CAD $2,774

Hiking Crete: Gorges & Coastal Walks

7 Days from CAD $1,599

Hike the Lofoten and Vesteralen Islands

8 Days from CAD $7,165

Tour Operator

Exodus Travel

It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.

In Business Since 1974

Reserve Now

Download a personalized trip brochure!