the experience

day 1 – arrival day

Glimpse some of Corsica’s stunning scenery on the airport transfer – our drive takes us through vineyards and orchards and up into cooler pine forests. After lunch at the gite, stretch your legs on a stroll down through forests to the tiny village of L’Ospedale, which clings to the hillside 1,000m above the bay of Porto Vecchio.

Enjoy a beer under an awning of wisteria and admire the sweeping views before heading back up to relax and sort out your gear for the days ahead.


day 2 – Cartalavonu to Levie  via Carbini 

Today’s path takes us up 250m to a viewpoint before dropping steeply down to Carbini (a 700m descent), where pine forests give way to oak and birch. We will see the remains of chapel at Carbini, which has a notorious history dating back to the 14th century Giovannalis sect.

We continue our descent to a river which we might need to wade through, depending on the season, and then climb up 300m up to the village of Levie. You’ll find a number of shops and bars here, and an impressive museum tracing man’s settlement of the area and containing ‘The woman of Bonifacio’, a 9,000 year old skeleton.

maximum elevation: 1,200m
walking time:  6hrs
distance covered:  13km
accommodation:  we will stay in apartments tonight


day 3 – Levie to Quenza via Zonza 

From Levie our path climbs up to join a country lane leading to the Pianu di Levie, one of the Mediterranean’s richest prehistoric sites (entry fee: 5.5 euros; well worth visiting).

Then it’s on to the tourist town of Zonza, which is very popular with hikers. It is a typical Corsican village with a stunning backdrop provided by the five peaks of Bavella. The colours of the mountains change throughout the day and the views really are spectacular. 

From here, we follow a path down through woods to a stream and then a river, where you can swim. Our day ends in picturesque Quenza, high in the Alta Rocca (high rocks) region. Its quiet streets, unspoilt by tourism, are lined with tall houses built from local granite. Cosy eateries offer a relaxed environment in which to enjoy a drink in the evening.

maximum elevation:  813m
walking time:  4hrs
distance covered:  12km
accommodation:  tonight we will stay at a welcoming auberge


day 4 – Quenza to Jallicu via Col de Bavella  

You will be surrounded by stunning views today as we head onto the GR20 among the needles of Bavella. After conquering the dramatic pass of Col de Bavella (1,218m), walk through pine forests and up rocky paths to the Trou de la Bombe, a hole in the rock wall with a fantastic view down to the coast. On clear day this offers fantastic views of the Bavella needles and spectacular scenery.

Be sure to keep an eye out for wild sheep and lammergeier - one of the world's largest birds of prey.

A short minibus transfer will take you to the hamlet of Jallicu and the Funtana Bianca, tomorrow's starting point.

maximum elevation:  1,350m
walking time:  3hrs
distance covered:  10km
accommodation: tonight’s auberge is an attractive stone building in a beautiful setting on the high plateau. It has a charming restaurant with a wood fire, and a lovely terrace. 


day 5 – Jallicu to Serra-di-Scopamena

A short day with some very nice views and time to relax in superb scenery. Today's highlight is a traverse of the beautiful Plateau de Cuscione and a visit to a Roman chapel dating back to 1,000 BC. We will walk along a lane with wonderful open views across to the Bavella needles, and then down through woods and aspodel fields to river with a log bridge. We will also stop off in some of the local villages to soak up the atmosphere.

We will arrive in the pretty village of Serra di Scapamena (900m) in early evening. Nestling high in the mountains this quiet village has wonderful views of the surrounding area.

maximum elevation: 1,164m
walking time:  4hrs
distance covered:  6km
accommodation: a gite with dormitories and lovely views, offering good food


day 6 –  Serra-di-Scopamena to St Lucie de Tallano  

Lots of downhill walking today with a descent down a steep path through woods of oak and sweet chestnut to a fantastic swimming spot by the bridge over the Rizzanese river. From here, there is a long climb up through woods giving shade to a pretty aspodel meadow. We then drop down and traverse the hillside round to the bustling village of St Lucie de Tallano.

St Lucie is without doubt one of the prettiest villages in Corsica. Its charming little houses with red tiled roofs contrast against a dark green forest backdrop. Its small square has a number of friendly cafes – perfect for enjoying a glass of wine.

We will also have time to visit an old olive mill and a fortified house.       

maximum elevation: 730m
walking time:  6hrs
distance covered:  10km
accommodation: stay in a self-catering house tonight


day 7 – St Lucie de Tallano to Burgo

From St Lucie our path descends through woods to river via Pisan Chapel of St Jean Baptiste. An easy climb takes us to the col through maquis, before we descend to the village of Fozzano. Its fortressed buildings serve as a reminder of the vendettas fought here. If there’s time, you can take a short detour to see Columba's house.

A steep climb up through woods take us to a beautiful lunch spot under some oak trees, 150m below the col. From here the path traverses the hillside before dropping to the river and then climbing up steeply to the gite, at the end of our trail.  
 
We'll round the night off with a celebration, having reached the end of our island tour!  

maximum elevation:  700m
walking time:  8hrs
distance covered:  13km
accommodation:  large gite in tiny hamlet with commanding view down to the coast and town of Propriano


day 8 – transfer to Figari

Head home with plenty of memories and a real sense of achievement!


Please note: The itinerary of this tour is subject to change