Mare e Monti Scandola walking

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Mountains, Gulfs and Coast: walking from Galeria to Cargese

Corsica walking: Mare e Monti Scandola 6 - 10 days (May-15th October)

Chambre d'Hôtes and hotels, (1 Gîte=dormitory)
Selfguided walking trip 10 days = 9 nights = 8 days of walking

All details (H13b) Mare e Monti Scandola **/*** plus packages

All details (H13b) Mare e Monti Scandola ** standard packages

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Corsica: Mare e Monti Scandola walk

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The Mare e Monti North lets you enjoy all the contrasts and colors of the island. It is one of the five classic walks in Corsica that snakes around the foot of the massifs, which leads through some lovely forests and villages. The Scandola walk is a shortend version starting in Galeria.

map-mem-nord

Setting off Scandola you will head inland towards the high summits, enticing views of sweeping bays, rocky creeks and glistening waters are forever present.

This holiday would appeal to anyone used to walking regularly and in good shape. With eleven days of easy to moderate walking you will discover the richness of Corsica and one of the most beautiful corners of the island.

Numerous pleasures are waiting to be discovered.The Scandola trail leads past the reserve of Scandola an area protected by Unesco and classed as a site of world beauty.

In the Gulf of Girolata you stay in the unique little fishing village of Girolata which is accessible only by boat or foot. Good place for and extra night and start of a boat trip!

This page concerns a Corsica walk with start from Galeria (Bus from Calvi to Galeria not on Sunday! Taxi € 100)

You can Include an extra night in Calvi before the walk and/or a night in Ajaccio (after the walk). Mail us for more details on these options. Contact

Walks Mare e Monti "Scandola and Golfe de Porto"
Short packages (6 to 10 days)

These shorter packages of about a week all start in Galeria. You will see every day the sea at the Golfe de Galeria, Golfe de Girolata and Golfe de Porto.

To go to the start in Galeria you will have to go to Calvi first and take a bus or taxi ( € 100) for the transfer to Galeria. These transfers to the start are not part of our packages. We can help with the taxi if you want.

For booking this walk Click Here.

The following itinerary divides it into 7 daily stages:

From	To	Highest point	Ascent	Descent	Distance
Galeria (40 m)	Girolata (0 m)	874 m	754 m	784 m	12 km
Girolata (0 m)	Curzu (318 m)	852 m	675 m	1,135 m	13 km
Curzu (318 m)	Serriera (289 m)	360 m	364 m	604 m	8 km
Serriera (289 m)	Ota (675 m)	914 m	880 m	570 m	10 km
Ota (675 m)	Marignana (1,072 m)	830 m	636 m	260 m	11 km
Evisa (1,072 m)	Revinda - E Case (735 m)	1,102 m	610 m	720 m	20 km
Revinda - E Case (735 m)	Cargese (95 m)	650 m	380 m	910 m	11 km

MARE ET MONTI SCANDOLA

PROGRAM 10 days walk

First day, arrival in Galeria (Last possibility: October 5th)
Day 2: 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 Crête 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.
Day 3 : 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.
Day 4 : 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 metres, 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.
Day 5 : 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.
Day 6 : Serriera to Ota
The stage starts with a transfer bacj 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.
Day 7 : Ota to Evisa and 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 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.
Night and evening meal at Gîte in Marignana (dormitory).Night and evening meal at Gîte in Marignana.
Standard package: Hotel ** in Evisa.
5h00 effective walking, +650m altitude, -260m.
Day 8 : Evisa to Marignana and E Case
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. You will not have your luggage today. You get it the next day at Cargese
6h30 effective walking, +610m altitude, -720 m
Day 9 : 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.
Day 10 : Leave Cargese for Ajaccio by bus (not included in the package; not on Sunday!!)
You leave Cargese by bus in the morning (not included), once back in Ajaccio you have the choice of 2 walks along the 'sentier des Crêtes’, 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.
Your holiday comes to end in Ajaccio.
Option of returning 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).

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 somertimes 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 10-15kg 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.

ACCOMMODATION
LODGING: A mix of hotels, chambres d'Hôtes and Gîtes
MEALS: Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, bread, butter and jam) ; Evening meals in the Gîte restaurants, often local specialities consisting of a starter, main course, cheese or desert.

STARTING POINT and END
The starting point is at your hotel in Calvi at 12h00 onwards. It is also possible to start your holiday from Ajaccio, please discuss with us at the time of your reservation. Consult with us for left luggage facilities.

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.

DATES
Departures every Sunday from the start of April to the end of October.

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/

Itineraries	Day stages	Pricing

More Corsica walking and hiking trips
Mare à Mare South H12	6 - 9 days
Mare e Monti Nord Calvi-Porto-Cargese H13	6 - 14 days
Mare a mare Nord Corte-Porto H17	7-8 days

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Mare e Monti Scandola walking

Mountains, Gulfs and Coast: walking from Galeria to Cargese

Corsica: Mare e Monti Scandola walk

More Corsica walking and hiking trips