WALKING THE WORLD
CORSICA – Mountain in the Sea
Ajaccio – Piana – Corte – Cap Corse – Bonifacio – Ajaccio
October 9-19, 2022
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Ajaccio – Piana
We meet in Ajaccio at 9:00 am. Then we’ll board our vehicle and head from Ajaccio to the charming village of Cargese. We follow the coastal road crossing Tiuccia and the Sagone Gulf to Cargèse. We stop for lunch in Cargese at a restaurant in front of the small boat harbour. We’ll then have time to visit the village before continuing on to the beautiful and historic hotel Roches Rouges in Piana. This hotel, with a great charm, built at the beginning of the century (1912), will be our home for the next 3 days. Its restaurant is considered a historical monument and the large terrace with its magnificent view on the gulf of Porto has been defined by UNESCO as a place of worldwide interest.
After arrival in Piana and settling in at our hotel, we’ll have time to visit the small village of Pina, population 500, which overlooks the Golfe of Porto from a small plateau. The views from this 15th century village are stunning. Our gourmet evening meal is at the hotel. Night in Piana.
Day 2 – Calanches of Piana and Fishermans village of Girolata
After breakfast we’ll travel to the famous Calanches of Piana en route to our destination the trailhead at Bocca a Crocce. The Clanches of Piana is a very unique and beautiful site. Wind and rain have formed strange formations in the red rock and Unesco has named this area a World Heritage site. We’ll then continue to the town of Porto with it’s 16th century Genoese tower and small seaside resort. Then it’s on to Bocca a Crocce where we will leave our vehicle and walk down to an ancient fishermen’s village, or Grirolata, that’s only accessible by foot or boat. The trail will offer great views of Girolata and its surroundings; you’ll be surprised by the sea colours. The Corsican scrub is very perfumed. We might meet on the way one or two cows or donkeys wandering freely in the scrub. We then reach the village where we will have lunch in a typical and charming local restaurant right on the beach and specialized in sea food.
After lunch, we’ll have time to visit the village before enjoying a boat ride back to Porto (in case the sea does not allow boats to reach Girolata, we’ll go back using the same trail as in the morning). The boat journey is a wonderful occasion to visit the stunning Scandola Natural Reserve. Then we’ll have some free time to relax in the active town of Porto before heading back to our hotel.
Day 3 – Capu Rossu, Tour de Turghiu
After a memorable breakfast on the terrace of our hotel, Roches Rogues, we will take a stunning 30 minute drive to the trial head at Capu Rossu. Here we begin our 3-4 hour walk to the Tour de Turghiu and enjoy a gourmet picnic along the way. When we reach the 14th century tower situated at the top of an immense red granite cliff, we’ll be rewarded with fantastic views looking out over the almost 1000 foot drop to the aqua sea below. From our vantage point we’ll enjoy views of the Golfe de Porto and the Golfe de Sagone. Dinner is at our charming hotel or in the village of Piana.
Day 4 – From Piana to Corté
Today we head from our hotel in Piana to the centre of the island. Our journey will take us through Ota where we will walk along a beautiful river valley to the Genoese bridge. Then it’s off to the village of Evisa where for lunch in a restaurant with a wonderful view of the mountains and villages below. After lunch we head to the Aïtone natural pools and waterfalls. Do not be surprised to see huge pigs, long haired goats, wandering cows or donkeys in the middle of the road!
In the afternoon we’ll arrive in the mountain town of Corte and our hotel. Our hotel sits on the bank of a beautiful river and offers outstanding swimming and walking opportunities, and of course, a relaxing night’s sleep to the soothing sounds of the river’s rushing waters.
After settling in at our hotel, if time permits we’ll visit the town of Corte and its citadel that’s perched on a huge promontory in the centre of the city. Corte is the stronghold for Corsican culture. Night in Corte.
Day 5 – Walk the Restonica valley to the Lakes of Melo and Capitello
Today we take a stunning drive from our hotel along the river to the Grotelle sheepfold. From there a gentle trail will take us to gentle meadows bisected by a small brook. It is not uncommon to see hunters coming down from the mountains with mules carrying wild boars. Then we head up the Restonica valley to the mountain lake named Melo. We’re offered a wonderful panoramic view of the Restonica valley. The most courageous of us will walk to the second lake, Capitello, higher in the mountains.
After a picnic lunch we’ll retrace our steps down to the Grotelle sheepfold to relax over a warm drink in the small mountain cafe. Dinner close to the hotel. Night in Corte.
Day 6 – From Corte to the Cap Corse
Leaving the centre of Corsica we head toward the Northern most part of the island, Cap Corse. We will cross the principal town of Corsica’s northern region, Bastia, before arriving in Erbalunga. This beautiful and unique small village has a beautiful port. The Mediterranean sea laps at the foot of the village’s stone houses built onto a rocky a promontory in the sea. This delightful and romantic area will be our home for the next 2 days. We’ll enjoy lunch and a relaxing exploration of Bastia after droping our luggage at out hotel. Dinner in Erbalunga village. Night in Erbalunga
Day 7 – From Maccinaggio to Barcaggio
Today our drive takes us to the eastern side of Cap Corse and our destination of Maccinaggio. From here we start our walk following the coastline to, literally, end of Corsica! Our path was used by customs officers in times past and is now the best way to discover the North tip of the island. Our ramble takes us past small creeks and some of the most famous Corsican Genoese towers, all surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. The panorama is gorgeous and with clear weather we’ll be able to see the Italian island of Elba. This is a great place to have a picnic and enjoy a swim in the Mediterranean. Then it’s back on the trail to the little village of Barcaggio. Dinner in the village and last night in Erbalunga
Day 8 – drive from the northern end of Corsica, Cap Corse to the southern end at Bonifacio
Today we head along the eastern side of Corsica to Bonifacio at the southern end of the island. We’ll enjoy local foods in the seaside town of Porto Veccio before continuing south to the beautiful beaches of the gulf of Giulia. In Bonifacio, we park our van, not to be seen again for 2 days, and check in to our hotel in the heart of this 12th century hilltop village. There will be time to visit the village and relax before meeting again for an aperitif and wonderful seafood dinner in the old village. Night in Bonifacio
Day 9 – visit the upper and lower villages, and port, and walk the cliffs from Bonifacio to the Pertusatio lighthouse
Today we visit the upper and lower villages and the port of Bonifacio and its absolutely stunning views. After lunch in the upper village our walk takes us from the upper village on a 4 hour journey to the Pertusatio lighthouse. We’ll have many stunning views of Bonifacio to the south, the Italian island of Sardenia and the rocky eastern coastline of Corsica. It will be difficult to put your camera down! Night in Bonifacio
Day 10 – Transfer back to Ajaccio, with stops in the mountain town of Sartene and lunch in the seaside town of Propriano.
Today we will take a beautiful drive to the village of Sartene where we’ll visit the village and enjoy a drink in one of the colourful cafes on the main square. Then it’s off to the seaside resort town of Propriano for lunch before continuing on to Ajaccio and our final night at the hotel Napoleon.
Day 11- Departure to the ferry terminal or airport by 10 am.
THE DETAILS:
Dates: October 9-19, 2022
Price: $3695
Single Supplement: $500
Trip Begins: Ajaccio, Corsica
Trip Ends: Ajaccio, Corsica
WHAT WE PROVIDE:
- Walking The World Guide and Local Guide
- 10 nights lodging (double occupancy)
- 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 7 dinners
- All admission fees to scheduled stops
- All ground transportation while on tour
- Walking The World T-Shirt
Walking The World
PO Box 40442 Grand Junction, CO 81504
Ph: 970-498-0500
Email: [email protected] Website: www.walkingtheworld.com
