Corsica walking and hiking Mare à Mare Sud

Corsica walking holiday

Coast to coast from Porto-Vecchio to Propriano

6 - 8 days, 5 - 7 nights, 5 -7 days walking

There are five classic walks in Corsica that snake around the foot of the massifs and lead through forests and villages offering breath-taking views over the mountain tops and out to sea. As well as the stunning landscapes, you will pass through a series of villages that are a joy to discover.

Mare à Mare Sud stnd ** version.
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Corsica Ospedale lake

The Mare a Mare South is a distinct favorite allowing you to enjoy all the contrasts and colors of the island.

Starting from the gulf of Porto Vecchio on the East coast, the trail rises up through the mountains of the Alta Rocca region to arrive in Propriano on the West coast.

This holiday would appeal to anyone that is used to walking regularly and is in good shape.

With five days of easy to moderate walking you will discover the richness of the South of Corsica.

Day 1 : Start of holiday in Porto-Vecchio

Your holiday starts at your hotel in Porto Vecchio.
Time to check into your hotel and explore the town. Dinner not included. No walk program today.

Day 2 : Porto-Vecchio to Cartalavonu

Your first walking day will start with a transfer to Alzu di Gallina and lead you from sea level up into the mountains. You will pass through Alzu di Gallina and the Ospedale to the village of Cartalavonu situated at 1020m altitude. The Mediterranean vegetation is fragrant, a scrubby mix of tree heather, strawberry trees and wild herbs, the views back across the gulf of Porto Vecchio are breathtaking. The walk takes you through traditional villages before arriving at the plateau of Ospédale. The last stretch of the trail leads through the forest and on to Cartalavonu. Night in Gîte with dinner.
Distance : 14km, duration : 5 h00, elevation gains : +1000m.

Day 3 : Cartalavonu to Levie

The path leads swiftly up away from the hamlet of Cartalavonu to the high mountain pass (Foce Alta 1171 m) from where there are magnificent views over the Lake of Ospedale. You head in a north, north-easterly direction to arrive at a second pass (the Bocca a Mela at 1068m) where great views of the itinerary that lays ahead await you. All the small perched villages of the Alta Rocca, and the famous pink granite pinnacles of Bavella are stretched out before you. Another transition in trees as the trail winds its way through a chestnut forest coming out into the village of Carbini, (famous for its 11th century church, with pisan art). After walking through high maquis you will emerge at an oak tree forest where a passage between two stone walls will lead you to the River Fiumicicoli. Passing through olive groves and by an old olive mill, you arrive at the outskirts of Levie. Night in chambre d'Hôtes + restaurant.
Distance : 11km, duration : 5h00, elevation gains: +51 0m, elevation loss: -920m.

Day 4 : Levie to Quenza

The fountain and village church mark the end of the village, from the last of the houses the path heads up through an oak forest dotted with large blocks of granite. After about an hour you will arrive at St Laurent chapel. This area is well known for its archaeological sites, two of the most famous, Cucuruzzu and Capula, are nearby. You arrive at the Quenza deer enclosure and shortly afterwards, the village itself. Be sure to go and see the Pisan church that dates from the year 1000. You follow a track to the hamlet of Ghjallicu and onto the river where you will find the old chestnut mill. You take the direction of the shepherds’ cabins Lavu Donacu before arriving at the village of Serra di Scopamena.
Distance : 17km, duration : 5h45, elevation gains: +760m, elevation loss: -520m.
Night in Quenza (Gîte, dinner included).

Day 5 : Quenza to Ste Lucie de Tallano

Day 6 : Ste Lucie de Tallano to Burgo

Passing the 12th century Roman chapel St-Jean-Baptiste, the path goes gently down hill to the Piombatu bridge that crosses the River Rizzanese. The next village on our itinerary is Loreto di Tallano, which we head to in a south-westerly direction towards Fozzano. This village is famous for a story about the legendary Colomba, based on a true vendetta. At the end of today's walk you arrive in Burgo. Next morning you'll get a transfer to Propriano to catch the bus of 8:00 to Ajaccio. Chambre d'Hôtes + dinner in gite of Burgo.
Distance : 12km, duration : 6h00, elevation gains: +680 m, elevation loss: -940 m.

Day 7 : End of package (after transfer) to Propriano (7 days program)

This program is an example of the itinerary we aim to adhere to. It may be possible, if situations arise that are beyond our control, for the itinerary to be modified.

Option: Transfer from Burgo on last day to airport of Ajaccio: €240 pax 1-4p.     € 360 pax 5-8p.