Beautiful and scenic hiking trails in Corsica

There are hundreds of beautiful and scenic hiking trails in Corsica. From the beginner to an expert there is sure to be something here for everyone and all skill levels.

The most famous hiking trail is known as the GR20 or the Fra li Monte. It is a mountain path that crosses the island and starts from about 10km north of Calvi, in Calinzana and continues south eastward towards Conza which is about 20 km north of Porto Vecchio. This trail is 200 kilometers long and can take up to two weeks or more if you choose to walk from end to end. This path takes the high ground and the variation in height is over 10,000 meters. The GR20 virtually passes no towns and must be accessed at the beginning or the end.

The trail is clearly marked and there are camps, normally in a day’s walking distance, set up along the way called refuges. These are mostly set up and controlled by the Parc Naturel Regional de la Corse or the PNRC. Some have mattress rests where they will permit you to stay the night for a fee but you must supply your own sleeping-bag. Camping in a tent is permitted only in these areas. When hiking on the GR20 you will always want to have a tent just in case all of the beds in the refuges are taken.

Sometimes these refuges will offer beverages and foods in the forms of snacks. Carrying enough food for your entire trip is advisable as not all of the stops along the way will offer food. They will also offer water at these stops along the way but it is always a good idea to take enough with you incase they run out.

These refuges will often have a lavatory and a toilet but you must supply your own toilet paper. Occasionally they will offer an open air shower for your convenience and included in the price to stay for the night. Using the sanitary facilities is free, even if you don’t spend the night.

Taking along a map is necessary, and depending on what scale map you use, you might new quite a few to make it over the entire GR20. Make sure you purchase these in advance because they will not be offered along the way.

For the less experienced hiker, Corsica offers other beautiful hiking trails, including the less difficult Mare e Monte that treks from the sea to the mountains and the Mare a Man which travels from sea to sea. Both of these trails cross the famous GR20 and offer the same refuge camps as the GR20 but you should still prepare for your trip in the same way.

Other notable hiking trails that intersect with the GR20 include the Mare e Monti, which treks from Calinzana to Cargese in ten stages, the Mare i Monte Sud that travels from Porticcio to Propriano in five stages, the Mare a Mare Nord treks from Cargese to Moriani in twelve stages and lastly the Mare a Mare Centre that starts in Ghisonaccia to Ajaccio and is completed in seven stages.

Whatever your skill level, from an experienced mountain climber to a hill walker, Corsica offers hundreds of trails for your hiking pleasure. Even if you want a shorter trail than the ones that have been mentioned here, you are sure to find the one that is perfect for you in in the vast regional park or in the city of Corte.

Most towns will have a tourist office able to advise you if you are looking for a walk or hike a little less dramatic than the ones above, from a 20 minute amble to a hike of several hours into the countryside and mountains of Corsica.

Corsica is truly a hiker’s paradise with many of the trails crossing the continental divide and can provide the perfect hiking vacation for you.