Preparing your Corsican tour
Looking for a breath of fresh air? Then head for the Isle of Beauty! Between the sea and the mountains, follow trails through the Corsican peaks, and discover nature as generous as it is indomitable. A Corsican hike that will leave you with intense memories and the desire to return again and again!
From paths to waterfalls: follow the guide!
Get to know yourself.
Depending on your mood, your level and the weather, decide which hike or walk you'd like to do on your vacation.
Summer may seem like a good time for a hike, but April-May-June and September-October are the best months to avoid the crowds and the heat. For hiking enthusiasts who have no choice but to go on vacation in July and August, don't hesitate for a moment - choose the mountains. With just a few weeks to go before your departure for the Isle of Beauty, it's important to train yourself so as not to "rush" your body!
The important thing is to enjoy yourself, so don't overestimate yourself. Start with 3-hour hikes, then go on to day hikes. Don't plan a week's hiking if you're not trained, as you risk injury or giving up. Corsica's terrain is varied, with different levels of difficulty, so it's best to be physically prepared. On flat ground, expect a pace of 4km per hour, and in the mountains 2.5km per hour with a rucksack.
Practical tips for a Corsican hike
You've finally decided to go hiking in Corsica! Here are a few practical tips to help you prepare.
- Don't hike alone: tell someone close to you about your itinerary.
- Good equipment: a sturdy, ergonomic rucksack with a waist belt will be perfect.
10-15L for a stroll
25-30L for a day hike
40-60L for itinerant trekking
70L or more for winter hiking - Appropriate footwear: Choose real walking shoes, not sneakers or sandals. 100% cotton socks are recommended for the comfort of your feet.
- Walking poles with rubber grips, a thermos flask and camel back. A small first-aid kit is also useful, as are a compass and a map, just in case.
- Appropriate clothing: Depending on the time of year, you'll need a few light cotton T-shirts, tank tops (watch out for sunburn!), shorts, a raincoat and a windbreaker as a precaution.
- a bag for all your garbage
- To share your position in real time, simply activate the GPS (this works even without an internet connection) on your hiking app or Google Maps. Just tap on the location point, and the latitude and longitude coordinates will be displayed.
Where to hike in Corsica? A beautiful hike from north to south.
Top classics
- Hiking the GR20
Considered one of the toughest and most beautiful trails in Europe, the GR20 is designed for experienced hikers. The GR20 is well worth the effort, with many technical sections in the north and less rugged sections in the south. The GR20 crosses Corsica from north-west to south-east. For accommodation, please make reservations at mountain refuges!
- Hiking the Sentier des douaniers
The Corsican Customs Trail is a fairly easy route. Running along the northernmost tip of Cap Corse, it's an opportunity to discover the beauty of Corsica's coastline and its natural wealth. You can start your hike from Macinaggio to Century, or in the opposite direction. There is also a route from Saint Florent to discover the northern Balagne region.
- Lac de Melo and its Pozzines (4.5 h round trip),
- Sentier des Crêtes hiking trail
This 48-kilometer trail in Cap Corse is for experienced hikers only. It's a mid-mountain trail with elevation changes of up to 800 m, following the ridge line of the Serra massif (1322 m). A sporty trek offering exceptional views of Corsica's northern landscape. Departure point: port of Toga, arrival point: port of Centuri (far north). Average duration: 3 hrs.
The must-see mare a mare
- Mare a Mare Sud hiking trail
A trail between Porto-Vecchio and Propriano, the Mare a Mare Sud is accessible to all hikers. A hike that takes you through the villages of the Alta Rocca. It's a trail with plenty of undergrowth, which you can do in the opposite direction, starting from Burgo (Ajaccio - Propriano - Burgo) and finishing in Porto-Vecchio. There's also the Mare a Mare Nord from Moriana to Cargèse and the Mare a Mare Centre from Porticcio to Ghisonaccia.
- A Strada Vecchia trails
Head for Bonifacio for a beautiful hike between sea and mountains, crossing ridges and valleys for an unforgettable immersion in Corsican nature that's both lively and wild. An itinerant or semi-itinerant hike on the paths of southern Corsica, to be accompanied between the Alta Rocca massif and the Bouches de Bonifacio reserve.
Where to stay after your trek?
Here are a few ideas for hiking in Corsica, which you can of course customize according to the length of your stay, whether you're coming with or without children. Corsicatours also offers other accommodation options and the possibility of creating a tailor-made stay in Corsica.
Discover our sports tours
Our local experts tell you all about our trips to Corsica!
When to make the mare a mare nord?
The best time to hike on Corsica's Mare a Mare Nord is spring and autumn, between April and October. These months offer an ideal climate, fewer crowds and nature at its best.
What is the gr in Corsica?
In Corsica, the GR 20 is the most famous long-distance hiking trail and considered one of the most beautiful, but also one of the most demanding, in Europe. The trail crosses the island from north to south, offering spectacular scenery that includes rugged mountains, dense forests, mountain lakes and deep valleys. The GR 20 is divided into two sections: the GR 20 Nord, between Calenzana and Vizzavona, and the GR 20 Sud, from Vizzavona to Conca, each offering unique challenges and beauty. For experienced hikers, the complete crossing usually takes around 15 days.