Corsica walking and hiking Mare à Mare Sud

Corsica walking holiday

Coast to coast From Porto-Vecchio

5 - 8 days, 4 - 7 nights, 4 -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 superior **/***/**** version.

Mare à Mare Sud plus **/*** version.

Planning a tour with us

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.

Planning a tour with us

The walks of these two packages start in Porto Vecchio, but your first night is in Cartalavona. You have to travel first to Porto Vecchio or already be not to far from Porto Vecchio to start the walk in the morning before 11h00. You can book a transfer to start with to get out of town. Last time for the transfer: 11h00 AM

At the end you get a transfer back to Porto Vecchio (included).  You can ask to be dropped on the road D59(near de Col de Bacinu) for a walk of 16 km to Porto Vecchio or go with the transfer of the bags all the way to Porto Vecchio.

The walks of these two packages start in Porto Vecchio. You can book a transfer to the start of the maamsud to get out of town. Last time for this transfer: 11h00 AM

At the fore-last day you get a transfer back to Porto Vecchio from Sta Lucia di Tallano (included).  You can ask to be dropped on the road D59(near de Col de Bacinu) for a walk of 16 km to Porto Vecchio or go with the transfer of the bags all the way to Porto Vecchio.

Detailed program of the 8 days walk with start in Porto Vecchio:
d1 / Porto Vecchio in Camping Matonara (BnB)
d2 / Cartalavonu in chambre & table d'hôtes  (Dinner, BnB)
d3 / Levie in chambre d'hotes + restaurant (Dinner, BnB) d4 / Quenza in chambre & table d'hotes (guesthouse)  (Dinner, BnB)
d4 / Quenza, Chambre d'hôte Odyssee
d5 / Aullène, Hotel San Larenzu
d6 / Ste Lucie de Tallano in chambre d'hôtes chez l'habitant (Dinner, BnB)
d7 / No walk. Taxi-Transfer to Porto Vecchio in Camping Matonara (BnB)
d8 / End of the package after breakfast. Transfer to the airport as option.

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.

Day 5 : Quenza to Aullène by the Mare a Mare Sud Trail.

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. You leave the mamsud for a climb to :Punta di a Ciciurpula at 1164m alt.
Distance : 14km, duration : 4h45, cumulative elevation gains: +710m, elevation loss: -669m.

Day 6 : Aullène to Ste Lucie de Tallano

Distance : 12 km, duration : 6h00, elevation gains : +400m, elevation loss : -800m.

Day 7 : Taxi-transfer to Porto Vecchio, Camping Matonara by the D59. No walk are walk of 16km from Fontaine de Bacinu at the D59
This is a welcome invitation to explore the granite and the maquis of the l'Extrême-Sud.  The look, the spectacle of the coastal strip and the summits are beautiful.

Distance : 16 km, duration : 6h00, elevation gains : +250m, elevation loss : -980m.

Day 8 : Leave after breakfast.

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.