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MARE ET MONTI CORSICA
PROGRAM 13 days walk H13-stnd** (Calvi-Cargese) and 9 days walk (Calvi-Porto)
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Day 1 : Calvi
If you fly in to Ajaccio you can take the train
to Calvi ( 25,- not included).
Your holiday starts at your hotel
in Calvi, after checking in, you have the opportunity to explore the
town. If you would like to start your holiday in Ajaccio consult us
at the moment of reservation.
Night at your hotel in Calvi. Evening
meal not included.
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Day 2: Calenzana to Bonifatu
At 8am transfer by taxi to Calenzana
(included).
Leaving Calenzana your route follows the famous GR20
along an old mule trail, you climb progressively up to the Ortiventi
fountain, from where you can look back at Calenzana and the villages
of the Balagne. You then drop down on to an old path known as the postman's
route, which cuts through the forest of Sambuccu. You pass a small Col
before going gently down hill to reach the Figarella bridge. Once across
the bridge you follow the left bank, and then a slight climb up to the
‘Auberge de la foret’.
Night and evening meal at the auberge in
Bonifatu
Standard package: chambre d'Hôtes .
5h00 effective
walking, +590m altitude, -287m
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Day 3: Bonifatu to Tuarelli
At a nearby bridge you follow a forestry
track that is known as the ‘chemin de ronde’, that gently climbs towards
the south-west, passing the ruins of the house belonging to Prince Pierre.
You then progress into a forest of maritime pines and green oak trees.
At an altitude of 1200m you arrive at the Bocca di Bocassa. After approximately
3 hours of a very rewarding and relaxing section you arrive at Tuarelli
rock pools, the perfect place for a laze on the sun baked rocks and
a swim.
Night and evening meal at hotel in Montestremo or Galeria.
You will get a transfer from Tuarelli to either Montestremo or Galeria
Standard package: Gite (dormitory in Montestremo) or Hotel ** in Galeria.
7h00 effective walking, +620m altitude, -1050m.
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Day 4: Roundwalk Vallée du Fango at Galeria or walk from Montestremo
to Galeria
You walk from the the beach at Galeria village to the
beach at the Fangu river. If you feel more like walking instead of swimming
you ga make a round walk by the Pont des Cinq Arcades and reach the
Tra Mare et Monti to come back in Galeria. Your route then climbs into
the maquis and passes several old shepherds cabins. Your day's walk
finishes with a short down hill stretch in to the village of Galeria
where you are rewarded with stunning views over Fangu.
Night and
evening meal at hotel in Galeria.
If you start in Montestremo you
will walk in the Valley of the Fangu to Ponte Veechiu. At le Fango your
route then climbs into the maquis and passes several old shepherds cabins.
Your day's walk finishes with a short down hill stretch in to the
village of Galeria where you are rewarded with stunning views over Fangu.
Night and evening meal at hotel in Galeria.
Standard package: Hotel
**.
2h00 effective walking, +221m altitude, -271m
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Day 5: Galeria to Girolata
Today you start by following a beautiful
path shaded from the sun. Your path leads you to a natural pool, and
an uphill section alongside the river bank. You will shortly come across
an area of vegetation, after this you will emerge in to a forest of
oaks before reaching the Crète du Lucciu (697m). From here you will
have remarkable views over the gulf of Girolta, the Genoese tower and
the red granite cliffs. You continue west along the ridge path, to reach
the River Cavone and the coast. This is also a beautiful spot to swim,
to cool off after your days walk.
Night and evening meal at Gîte
in Girolata. Girolata can only be reached by boat or on foot. So you
will have to take whatever you need for one night. The other luggage
will be brought directly to Curzu.
Standard package: dormitory.
6h00 effective walking, +754m altitude, -784m.
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Day 6 : Girolata to Curzu
From Girolata's beach, you follow
the ridge path that runs alongside the coast, after around 3 hours you
will arrive at the foot of Punta di u Tartavellu, from here continue
around to the West to arrive at Bocca Ascencu (742m). Continuing along
the ridge path in a south-westerly direction you can admire exceptional
views over Scandola's natural reserve, one of the largest natural
sites in Europe, which displays an explosion of colors and fantastic
landscapes. Once at Capu di Curzu (852m) you rapidly loose altitude
as your path progresses into a series of loops before reaching Curzu.
Night and evening meal at Gîte in Curzu.
Standard package: chambre
d'Hôtes.
6h00 effective walking, +675m altitude, -1135m.
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Day 7 : Curzu to Serriera
From the Gîtes, you climb through the
village and head in a south-westerly direction along a path that overlooks
the village of Partinellu and the bay of Porto, the only French natural
site to appear on UNESCO's world heritage list. You then start down
hill towards the River Vetricella, and after walking alongside the river
for around 50 meters, your path climbs, you will soon arrive at the
‘Chemin de Serriera Pinetu’. Once passing this you will shortly arrive
at the Bocca di u Furcatu, the last stretch before Serriera.
Night
and evening meal at your hotel/Chambre d'Hôtes in Serriera .
3h30 effective walking, +364m altitude, -604m.
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Day 8 : Serriera to Porto
Light stage. Leaving Serriera head to
the bridge Pont de Serriera over the Santa Maria stream you head to
the beach at Bussaglia. After enjoying some swim climb up to the Bocca
Lenzana before going down to Porto. A very pleasant touristy but authentic
village at the beautiful Golfe de Porto with subtropical vegetation
with woods of Eucalyptus trees. If you want to you can rent here a car
to visit the Calanches of Piana.
Night and evening meal at Hotel
in Porto.
Standard package: chambre d'Hôtes.
6h30 effective
walking, +880m altitude, -570m.
If you booked the 9-days package you can take (at the entrance of
Marine de Porto) the next morning at 07:45 the bus to Ajaccio. This
is not possible on Sundays and Holydays, 8 not included in the package.
It is also possible to take at 10:00 the bus back to Galeria or to Calvi.
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Day 9 : Serriera to Ota
The stage starts with a transfer back
to Serriera. Leaving Serriera head to the bridge over the Santa Maria
stream, to climb up to the Lonca forestry track and emerging into the
forest. You will soon arrive at the rocky belvedere a beautiful viewpoint
over Serriera. Crossing through the pine and chestnut forest, you can
notice a 'sechoir chataignes’ a small stone structure used by the
villagers to stock their chestnuts while they dried. On the way down
into the Vitrone ravine, the granite rock faces have a lot of distinctive
red porphyry.
Night and evening meal at Gîte in Ota.
Standard
package: chambre d'Hôtes.
6h30 effective walking, +880m altitude,
-570m.
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Day 10 : From Ota via Evisa to Marignana
From Ota you walk past
the Ceccaldi village restaurant, past braying donkeys, noisy hunting
dogs and colourful gardens, to pick up the path. Following the direction
of the river the path is down hill and in the shade of the olive trees.
You cross over the narrow, high arched Genoise bridge ‘Ponte Vechju’
and shortly arrive at the entrance of the Spelunca Gorge, a great rest
and swim spot. The first part of the gorge is fairly flat but once across
the second small Genoise bridge it starts to zig zag up hill, it is
well graded but there is a lot of altitude to gain.
In the afternoon,
a series of winding steps cut down past the bars, bakers and post office,
leading through the village of Evisa (after 7,5 km) and onto the lowest
road. Walking away from the centre you soon come to a track that heads
off into the old chestnut tree woods. The path is easy under foot and
was once a well trodden link to the neighbouring villages. You will
find all the typical plants that make up the Corsican maquis as you
make your way towards the Tavulella river. Once across the river you
will shortly arrive at the mystical hamlet of Tassu, a peaceful little
haven of houses, church and abandoned terracing. Now just a short 20mins
walk from Marignana.
For the standard package: Night and evening
meal at Gîte in Marignana (dormitory).
(Plus option: ** hotel in
Evisa. After Evisa you are not going to Marignana but you can do a round-walk
by the Mare a Mare Nord (Sentier de découverte) to the Piscine a Madre
(natural pools in the Aitone stream) and back to Evisa the same way
(14,1 km). Next day however a longer walk from Evisa via Marignana.
Evisa is the pearl of the mountains, a vibrant mountain village, that
has wonderful sunsets over the nearby sea. It is known for it's
chestnut forests, a lot of the recipes are still chestnut based. A trail
will lead you through the chestnut trees to the Aitone pine forest,
here you will find a natural beauty spot, the emerald green rock pools
and chutes of water that make up the piscines naturels.)
12,5 km,
5h00 effective walking, +650m altitude, -260m.
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Day 11 : Evisa to Marignana and E Case
You will not have your
luggage today. You get it the next day at Cargese.
If you start from
Evisa you will reach Marignana after 5 km and 2 hours walking.
After
6,2 km you reach the Bocca a u Mamucciu at 824m alt. By the Mare a Mare
Nord and the Mare e Monti Nord combined you reach after 22km and 8,5
hrs walking if you started from Evisa, the dormitory of E Case.
If
you started from Marignana:6h30 effective walking, +610m altitude, -720
m
It is possible to start with a taxi-transfer from Evisa to Marignana.
If you book an extra night or book the *plus** version you can take
a trail that will lead you through the chestnut trees to the Aitone
pine forest, here you will find a natural beauty spot, the emerald green
rock pools and chutes of water that make up the piscines naturels.
Dormitory at Revinda E Case. 22km long stage. Beautiful
visas.
You will not have your luggage today. You'll get it the
next day at Cargese
6h30 effective walking, +610m altitude, -720
m
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Day 12 : E Case to Cargese
You leave E Case via a path that will
give you some splendid views on the Golfe de Chiuni. You then begin
to edge your way down hill, passing the Santa Lucia shepherds cabins
and the village of Lozzi, situated just before your day's destination
Cargese, a beautiful historical town boasting two churches ‘l’Eglise
Latine’ and ‘l’Eglise Grecque’.
Night and evening meal at your hotel
in Cargese.
5h00 effective walking, +380m altitude, -910m.
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Day 13 : Leave Cargese for Ajaccio by bus.
Transfer not included
in the package. Not possible on Sunday!!)
End of package after breakfast.
You leave Cargese at 08:30 by bus in the morning ( 8 not included),
once back in Ajaccio you have the choice of 2 walks along the 'sentier
des Crètes’, a trail that overlooks the gulf of Ajaccio with magnificent
views out to sea, over the town and the surrounding mountains. There
is also the possibility of visiting the Iles Sanguinaires by boat’.
From 2h30 to 4h00 effective walking, from +140m altitude to +340m, from
6km to 11km depending on your chosen option.
Option of returning
in the afternoon to Calvi, by taking the ‘Trinichellu’, Corsica's
rail service, which runs from north to south via the centre of the island
(Not included : 25).
Extra day:
Day 14 : Ajaccio
Choice of 2 walks along the 'Sentier des Crètes’, a trail that overlooks
the gulf of Ajaccio with magnificent views out to sea, over the town and
the surrounding mountains. There is also the possibility of visiting the
Iles Sanguinaires by boat’.
Although it is our intention to operate the itinerary exactly as detailed
above, it may be necessary to make changes as a result of factors beyond
our control. As a consequence, the itinerary or night stops may be modified
and we reserve the right to make changes when/if necessary. Abnormal conditions
can prevail in any Moderate holiday; be prepared to be flexible when necessary.
IMPORTANT PRECISIONS
LEVEL
You walk on walking trails with good footpaths and tracks. You
need to be used to walking and take regular exercise to enjoy this holiday.
There is between 5h00 and 6h00 effective walking each day. The ascents and
descents are constant. There will be between 400m and 900m ascension per
day. The effective walking time is an indication of how long it will take
you, though walking speed varies enormously. The estimations do not take
into account time for route finding and stops along the way.
CARRYING
you will have to carry a day sack only, with your water bottle, camera,
picnic and gortex jacket.
Our bag-moving service means you can travel
light. There are two night stops that are not accessible by vehicle and
you will have to carry a minimum of personal gear for the night. This applies
to Girolata and sometimes to Revinda which are two spots of wild, natural
beauty.
Your main luggage - will be transported by vehicle between the
different hotels. We ask you to please limit your main luggage to between
10 and 15kg to facilitate the transportation and carrying for the taxis.
It is also important to consider that it may be necessary to carry your
bags short distances around at the start or end of your holiday, to and
from the bus station for example.
ORGANIZATION
We propose
a self guided, independent walking formula. You choose your departure date
(you can start any day of the week) and we will take care of all the rest.
We transport your bags between the different night stops, provide the maps
and good walking route notes. This is a way of enjoying complete flexibility,
you dictate the walking pace and rhythm of your holiday.
HOW TO TRAVEL TO CORSICA
By Air Direct charter flights during the season
from Gatwick and Heathrow offered by Air France, British Midland. Contact
Holiday Options or Sky Marketing. Scheduled services via Paris. You can
also change at Montpellier or Nice for connecting flights.
By Boat A
high speed service BGV, overnight ferries and semi-fast ferries offer a
regular service to Ajaccio port. SNCM Ferries - 61 Boulevard des dames -
13005 Marseille. Departs from Marseille, Nice or Toulon. Corsica Ferries,
Moby Lines, departs from Toulon, Nice and Italie.
By Bus: Find all information
at https://www.corsicabus.org/
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