|
MARE ET MONTI CORSICA
PROGRAM 13 days walk H13-stnd** (Calvi-Cargese) and 9 days walk
(Calvi-Porto)
-
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 Walking
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
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/
|
