7 days
Duration
Moderate
Difficulty
France
Location
May-September
Availability

  Walk one of Corsica’s classic long-distance treks with the comfort of luggage transportation

  Well-marked hiking trails, following ancient mule paths through plunging gorges and pristine forests

  Discover Corsica’s untamed mountainous interior and the ancient capital of Corte

  Take in the spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Porto on the rugged west coast

  Stunning views of the Calanches de Piana, A UNESCO World Heritage Site


Hiking the Mare a Mare Nord: Corte to Piana

Self guided walking holiday with luggage transportation

The Mare a Mare Nord is a classic coast-to-coast hiking trail and one of the very best walking tours in Corsica. This version begins in the mountain stronghold of Corte, with it’s plunging gorges and tranquil forests. From there, you will face some challenging mountain trails across the untamed region of Niolu, with its pretty villages, before eventually reaching the west coast and the outstandingly beautiful Gulf of Porto, with its sweeping bays and vertical red cliffs.

Along the way you will have opportunities to bathe in the crystal-clear rock pools, as you make your way across numerous mountain streams. Your trek finishes in the village of Piana, perched high above the Golfe de Porto. The stunning sea cliffs Les Calanque de Piana has been named a UNESCO world heritage site due to its outstanding natural beauty.

This trip has been especially designed for those who wish to make the most out of their walking holiday amidst Corsica’s magnificent landscapes with the comfort of having their luggage transported along the way.

We also have a two-centre hiking holiday based in 3* hotels in the ancient capital of Corte and the lively coastal town of Calvi.

7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS From €899 per person sharing*

*A high-season supplement will apply during the months of July and August.
*For safety reasons, this tour is not available to solo walkers.

ACCOMMODATION Private rooms in a combination of tradtional hotels (2* standard) and 3* hotels. All rooms have en-suite facilities.
AVAILABILITY You can start your trip on any day of the week (subject to availability) from May to the end of September.
INCLUDED
6 overnight stays
6 breakfasts
2 dinners
1 picnic lunch
Transfer from Corte to Scala Santa Regina on day 2
Luggage transportation
Detailed route notes and maps
24/7 telephone support
NOT INCLUDED
Flights & travel insurance
Any meals not mentioned above
Beverages
Transportation from Piana at the end of your trip
Anything else not mentioned in the “included” section
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Additional nights before, during or after your trip
Transfers to Corte and from Piana
1

Day 1: Arrival in Corte

You will begin your holiday in Corte, the historical capital of Corsica, and settle into your hotel in the afternoon. Corte is a very scenic 2-hour train journey from Bastia.

Overnight: 3* hotel in Corte on bed & breakfast basis

2

Day 2: Scala Santa Regina

Distance: 12 km | Ascent: 850 m | Descent: 500 m | 5 hrs approx.

After a short transfer from Corte, you will be in the heart of the Scala Santa Régina gorge. The cliffs overlooking the Golo river offer splendid views. You will take an old mule path to your next stop by the Calacuccia lake.

Overnight: Calacuccia

3

Day 3: Radule Waterfall and GR20 path

Distance: 18 km | Ascent: 900 m | Descent: 554 m | 6 hrs approx.

Beautiful walking day to the Verghio forest. You leave the Mare a Mare path to reach the Radule waterfall and shepherd house. Then using the world famous GR20 path, you walk to your hotel for the night. Numerous bathing possibilities in natural pools.

Overnight: Hotel Castel di Verghio in a private room

4

Day 4: Evisa via the Aitone natural pools

Distance: 11 km | Ascent: 400 m | Descent: 850 m | 4 hrs approx.

Passing the Col de Verghio, you will descend through a chestnut forest overlooking the Aitone stream and its beautiful natural pools. This trek takes you through the mountain village of Evisa, the chestnut capital of Corsica. Corsica is famous for its chestnuts, which are used to make local foodstuffs including flour, cake and beer!

Overnight: Evisa

5

Day 5: Evisa to Porto via Ota

Distance: 15 km | Ascent: 650 m | Descent: 1450 m | 5½ hrs approx.

From Evisa, it is a fantastic walk, descending into the heart of the Spelunca gorge through dense forests of chestnut and holm oak, where you will walk on tracks and bridges constructed by the Genoese. The scenery here cannot fail to impress with its outstanding natural beauty. The charming village of Ota is an ideal place for a rest before walking down to the superb marina of Porto.

We would highly recommend booking an additional night here to take a well-earned rest day by the pool or the beach, or perhaps taking a boat trip to admire the spectacular coastline of the Gulf of Porto.

Overnight: Porto

6

Day 6: From Porto to Piana

Distance: 11 km | Ascent: 869 m | Descent: 689 m | 4 hrs approx.

During this last walking day, you will walk along the sea before climbing up inland toward the Capu d’Ortu summit. Enjoy the shade of the Palani with fantastic views over the spectacular Calanches of Piana (bright red rocks that plunge dramatically into the sea).

You will then carry on walking to the centre of the delightful sleepy village of Piana.

Overnight: Piana

7

Day 7: Departure

The trip ends after your breakfast in Piana. You can take the bus to Calvi or Ajaccio or we can also arrange private transfers.

Important: No buses on Sundays or bank holidays except in July and August.

If you would like to book additional nights in Piana, Calvi or Bastia then just let us know at the time of booking.


Getting to Corte

  The most convenient airport to fly into is Bastia.
  You can also take a ferry from Nice (5 hrs) or Livorno (4 hrs approx.) Info and tickets available from Direct Ferries.
From Bastia you can either take the airport shuttle bus to the Bastia train station, or you can take a taxi. It takes about 30 minutes, depending on the traffic. From Bastia train station, it is a very scenic 2-hour direct train journey to Corte.

For timetable information you can visit either the Chemins de Fer de la Corse website or Corsica Bus, which also lists timetables for all public transportation in Corsica.


Departure from Piana

  Transfers can be arranged to Calvi, from where there is a direct train (3½ hrs) to Bastia. We recommend adding a night in Calvi. Please enquire at the time of booking if you would like to do this.
Corsica hiking the Mare a Mare Nord
The mountain citadel of Corte, Corsica
Hiking along old mule tracks on the Scala di Santa Regina in Corsica
The Scala di Santa Regina near Corte
Walking the Scala di Santa Regina towards Calacuccia
The Lac de Calacuccia in Central Corsica
Cows at the Lac de Calacuccia
Hiking signpost for the Mare a Mare Nord
Crossing a stone bridge in the Niolu Valley, near Calacuccia
Mountain stream in the Niolu valley in Corsica
Hiking on the Mare a Mare trail in the Niolu Valley in Corsica
Enjoying the view near the Col de Verghio, Corsica
The Aitone rock pools, near Evisa in Corsica
The Forêt d’Aïtone on the Mare a Mare path in Corsica
Enjoying the view on the Mare a Mare path, near Evisa
The picturesque mountain village of Evisa in Corsica
The spectacular Gorge de Spelunca
Ponte Zaglia in the Spelunca Gorge in Corsica
Hiking in the Spelunca Gorge in Corsica
Mare a Mare hiking signpost at the Spelunca Gorge
Hiking to Ota, Corsica
The beautiful mountain village of Ota
View of the calanches over Porto marina, Corsica
Gulf of Porto, Corsica
The Gulf of Porto on the west coast of Corsica

Tour Reviews

4.00 based on 1 review
28/09/2019

We’re a couple who took this trip in July. It was our first big hiking trip, so we were not totally sure what to expect. We chose Wild Rover because they are reasonably priced and their agendas were flexible.

However, we can can say straight away that this was a great way to see the wild side of Corsica, and we really enjoyed the walking experience. Having your baggage transported ahead of you is a genius move, really allowing you to enjoy the days walk with the minimum of gear.

Going in July meant the weather is pretty warm even up in the mountains. You need to have good walking shoes, moderate fitness and a sense of adventure to get the most out of this holiday. You’ll be rewarded with a beautiful walking experience and a truly memorable holiday.

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