Discovering the calanques of Piana
Located between Calvi and Ajaccio on the west coast of Corsica, this exceptional natural site has been a World Heritage Site since 1983. World Heritage Site along with the Gulf of Porto and the Scandola Reserve. Sheer into the sea, dominated by Capo d'Orto at 1294m, the calanques (in Corsican calanche di Piana) can be explored from the sea or from land. Take a breath and look at this 2 km-long natural work of art!
This region is home to hundreds of protected species. You'll find 125 species of invertebrates, the legendary osprey, peregrine falcons and golden eagles watching over groupers, dentex, moray eels and dolphins in the 450 species of seaweed in the Gulf of Porto. The Calanches de Piana are a ZNIEFF type I (Zone Naturelle d'Intérêt Écologique, Faunistique et Floristique) since 1985, covering 731 hectares, making it radically unbuildable.
How to visit the Calanques de Piana in Corsica?
There are 3 ways to see them: by car, on foot or by sea.
From Porto, take the narrow the narrow, winding road through the Calanques to Piana. Victims of their own success, everyone wants to see them! The route is very busy in summer, and holidaymakers don't hesitate to stop and take photos of the pink granite rocks, so be patient!
Discover this four-hundred-metre-high world of red porphyry rock, whose erosion has given rise to shapes you'll have fun guessing. As you cross the Calanques, you'll see two humps and a head reminiscent of a camel, then at a bend in the road, an Indian's head appears! At the next bend, keep your eyes peeled for a jug, a turtle's head and then the profile of a sitting dog! It's fascinating to know how to read rocks. Look up and you'll see a bishop sitting on his throne , crozier in hand, mitre in head . Move closer to the rock nicknamed "The heart of petrified lovers "where the shepherd, shepherdess and their dog are frozen in the rock.
If you have time, take this route à on foot in the morning early in the morning. You'll have plenty of time to stop and admire the purple granite forest, cooled by the Dardo stream, while keeping an eye out for cars, which sometimes find it difficult to pass each other because of the narrowness of the road. A number of hiking trails offer a different view of the calanques, including the lower path to the "Château fort"(2 hrs round trip). Don't miss "le chemin des muletiersA must: "the muleteers' path" lined with dry-stone walls from Pont mezzanu! In the early 19th century, muleteers used this route to go from one town to another. The Piana-Porto road was not opened until 1850 by Napoleon II. This trail offers magnificent views of the calanques, the village of Piana and the Gulf of Porto(1h30 loop, easy). If you enjoy hiking on the Isle of Beauty, we also recommend the following trails the Chemin de la châtaigneraie starting from the Piana stadium (2h30, difficult) or the the village of Girolata accessible only on foot (2h from Col de la Croix)
From the seaThe calanques take on a completely different face. A wide choice of excursions is available from Porto, Ajaccio, Porticcio, Cargèse, Sagone and Calvi, aboard a hybrid boat or a zodiac, lasting 1h30 for the calanques or the whole day for the calanques-calanques combination. Scandola reserve another little jewel in the sea. Prefer a late afternoon outing, when the red color of the cliffs and rocks is at its most intense.
Let yourself be tempted by our catamaran cruise !
Where to swim near the Calanques?
We offer you a unique opportunity to walk to the magnificent cove of Ficajola cove, where the contrast between the red of the stone and the deep blue of the sea offers spectacular scenery. From Piana, take the winding road to Ficajola for 4 km to the parking lot, then walk 800 m along a stone path and dive into the water with a mask and snorkel to flirt with lobsters and capons evolving around majestic coral. On your way to the magnificent Arone beach 10 km south of Piana, plan a few stops along the way, as the views over the Gulf of Porto and Capo Rosso are breathtaking. This large white-sand beach, with its turquoise waters on one side and green scrubland on the other, is THE beach to see!
Visit the villages of Porto and Piana
Don't missthe sunset in Porto- you'll be sorry! Every evening, people gather on the port to admire the spectacle, and they never tire of it. The whole area around the port is very busy, with stores, bars and restaurants with panoramic terraces. Climb 45 m up to the square tower, where the Musée de la Bruyère is now housed, along with a permanent exhibition on the history of Corsica's Genoese towers.
You'll love the charming little village of Piana as you stroll through the narrow streets with their flower-filled balconies overlooking the Scandola peninsula. It's not for nothing that it's ranked among the most beautiful villages in France, with its typically Corsican houses and splendid panorama.
Treat yourself to a swim in the Gorges de la Spelunca from Ota, following the river to the small stone bridge at Zaglia, a listed historic monument. Then join the enchanted forest of Aïtone for a moment of freshness under the chestnut trees andmagnificent hundred-year-old laricio pines.
The legend of the Calanques de Piana
It was the Devil himself who shaped the calanques! The story goes that Satan fell madly in love with a shepherdess, but when he tried to approach her to share his feelings, the young woman and her husband rejected the Prince of Darkness with fists and insults. Enraged, Satan decided to shake, strike and finally break the rock, petrifying the two lovers for eternity.
Today, Corsicans say that it's the shepherd, the shepherdess and their dog that can be seen, frozen in the rock. The rock is nicknamed the heart of petrified lovers ".
Discover the Calanques de Piana on one of our tours
Our local advisors can guide you!
Where to take the boat to visit the Calanques de Piana?
To explore the majestic Calanches de Piana, we've selected the most beautiful boat excursions, allowing you to sail through the emblematic red rocks of the calanques. These excursions are your gateway to exceptional diving spots, where underwater beauty is revealed in all its splendor, offering unforgettable experiences in the world of one of the most spectacular places. By choosing to join us, you'll have access to breathtaking panoramas and unique moments, marking your visit to this corner of paradise.
What to do in Piana
In Piana, a must-see destination for lovers of adventure and natural beauty, a number of captivating activities await you. For history and culture buffs, a visit to the Cave des Corsaires and the Church of the Assumption offers a fascinating insight into the local heritage. For lovers of nature and breathtaking panoramas, a hike to Capo Rosso is a must. Equip yourself with good walking shoes and set off to discover the marked trails that wind through the region's spectacular scenery. This extraordinary hike will take you to panoramic views of the Gulf of Porto, where the sea meets the sky in a spectacle of color and light.