Corsica'a Mare a Mare Nord
A hiking journey through the heart of Corsica from coast to coast
Trip Summary
Corsica, often described as “a mountain in the sea”, is one of the Mediterranean’s most captivating hiking destinations. Just off the Italian Riviera, the island’s wild and rugged interior is threaded with thousands of kilometers of marked trails that reveal landscapes few coastal visitors ever experience.
This year, we’re introducing a new hiking trip along the Mare a Mare Nord, one of three celebrated coast-to-coast routes created by the Parc Naturel Régional de Corse. Our journey begins in the seaside village of Moriani-Plage and ends in Porto on the island’s west coast, with an overnight in the historic mountain town of Corte at its heart. Along the way, you’ll cross high passes, wander through the forests of Valdu Niellu and Aïtone, follow the Tavignanu and Golu rivers, and cool off in crystal-clear rock pools. The route skirts the dramatic flanks of Monte Cinto, Corsica’s highest peak, and the striking Paglia d'Orba, before descending toward the sea.
Our final destination, Porto, sits beside the UNESCO-listed sea cliffs of Les Calanques de Piana, where there’s time to explore by boat or on foot. Each stop on the trail brings its own charm, from rustic gîtes with bunkrooms to small family-run hotels in stunning natural settings. You’ll also hear Corse, the local language with deep Italian roots, adding another layer to the island’s rich culture.
A new trip for us this year, it’s perfect for travelers who are flexible, adventurous, and ready to embrace both the challenges and surprises of the trail. With its mix of breathtaking scenery, unique accommodations, and a taste of Corsica’s fiercely independent spirit, this promises to be an unforgettable journey across one of Europe’s most extraordinary islands.
Corsica'a Mare a Mare Nord Itinerary
Day 1: Bastia and to Moriani-Plage
Independent travel to Hotel San Lucianu in Moriani-Plage, Corsica.
Moriani is a seaside resort in the region of Costa Verde, about 40km south of Bastia. Overnight at this comfortable hotel located on the beach. Due to the unique challenges and potential delays while traveling to Corsica, this is designed as a travel and arrival day. Plus, why rush off from a beautiful beach?
Dinner and breakfast included.
Day 2: Day at Moriani-Plage Hotel
Day to rest and recover from jet lag, with time to explore the area on your own. Your guides will meet you for our evening meeting and welcome dinner.
Dinner and breakfast included.
Day 3: Moriani-Plage to Penti
Starting on foot from the hotel, we walk through the streets of Moriani before we start to climb. Our shady trail leads us past streams and through small villages where time stands still. Church spires rise in the distance as we make our way to the village of Penti and our overnight stay.
Often there is time to explore this small, pretty village before dinner and to have a cold drink on the terrace next to the stream. Our night will be spent at a newly renovated gite with 4-person bunkrooms and shared facilities.
Dinner and breakfast included.
Elevation gain: 2,205’; Elevation loss: 223’; Distance: 7 miles; Time: 4 to 5 hours.
Day 4: Penti to Valle-d’Alesani
We continue our journey to the village of Valle-d’Alesani. Our route begins on the small, country roads but soon enters the enchanting forests. The path zigzags its way up to Col Orleans where the views open up. (During WW II this area, and Corsica in general, was the site of conflicts between the Axis and Allies.) A gentle contouring path takes us through an open landscape to our charming overnight stop. Dinner at the village restaurant.
Dinner and breakfast included.
Elevation gain: 1,920’; Elevation loss: 1,950’; Distance: 7 miles; Time: 4 to 5 hours.
Day 5: Valle d’Alesani to Pianello
From our gite, we meander through hillside villages and farms on a mix of small country lanes and dirt paths, over stone bridges and through chestnut forests. Eventually we descend to the village of Pianello where we'll be warmly welcomed by our gite host. A hearty meal is served on long, outdoor tables.
Dinner and breakfast included.
Elevation gain: 2,680’; loss: 2,040’; Distance: 8 miles; Time 5 to 6 hours.
Day 6: Pianello to Alando and afternoon transfer to Corte
Today's hike begins with a steep climb from the village on switchbacking country lanes. We then contour through open countryside with broom and silverrod lining our path. After a final traverse around the gentle valleys and ridges clad in a mirage of colorful spring flowers, we continue on a quiet country road to our lunch stop in the pretty village of Alando.
After lunch, we will transfer to our hotel in Corte. Travel time is about 35 minutes. Overnight in a hotel with private rooms and private bathrooms.
Breakfast and lunch. Dinner not included.
Elevation gain: 1,230; Elevation loss: 1,500’, Distance: 6 miles; Time: 3½ - 4 hours.
Day 7: Rest Day in Corte
Options for independent exploration include wandering the town's streets, sampling the local pastries and cuisine, day hiking, gorge descent, or simply enjoying the downtime.
Breakfast included. Dinner on your own.
Day 8: Day Hike from Corte to the Gorge of Tavignano
Our hike begins from the hotel in Corte. After passing a few street cafés and quaint shops, we enter the stunning, steep-sided gorge of Tavignano. The path climbs steadily and crosses the gorge in several places on hanging bridges. We'll return to our hotel on the same route.
Dinner and breakfast included.
Elevation gain: 3,060; Elevation loss: 850’; Distance: 8.5 miles; Time: 6 to 7 hours.
Day 9: Short transfer and hike to Calacuccia
Our day begins with a transfer to Corscia (yup Corscia, Corsica! Don’t mix that up!), the starting point of our hike. This shorter day of hiking leads us up through the forest on rocky paths, past mountain streams, and to open pastures scattered with bergeries and their sheep. After an initial climb of 2 hours, we are rewarded with views across to the high Corsican peaks often still snow-covered in May and early June. The final descent is challenging through rocky scrublands. (The scrub in Corsica is called maquis; you will become very familiar with it!) The views of the lake, and the thought of a hotel with a swimming pool will spur us!
Dinner and breakfast included.
Elevation gain: 1,158’; Elevation loss: 1,000’; Distance: 7 miles; Time: 3 - 4 hours.
Day 10: Calacuccia to Col de Vergio and to Castel de Vergio
Starting in Calacuccia, we hike to the Col de Vergio. The trail begins with good paths through pretty villages, over bubbling mountain rivers, and into the high mountain pine forests of the central Corsica ridge, where lies the rugged and challenging hiking route called the GR20. We join the GR 20 route for only a few miles as it leads us to our overnight stay at the modern-style hotel, the highest hotel in Corsica at 1400m! Today’s hike is strenuous.
This is a busy overnight stop with two busy routes, the Mare a Mare and the GR 20, converging. The atmosphere is congenial and fun in a modern setting with welcoming large tables of hikers chatting about their day.
Dinner and breakfast included.
Elevation gain: 2,670’; Elevation loss: 770’; Time: 6 to 7 hours; Distance: 11 miles.
Day 11: Col de Vergio to Evisa
From the hotel, we rejoin the GR 20 as we climb back to the Col de Vergio. The col is a popular route for motorbikes, but we soon leave them behind as we join our path into the woods and descend steeply over boulders through a mixed forest to the fast-flowing river in the valley below. We cross a suspension bridge that leads us to chestnut woodlands and to the welcoming village of Evisa.
Evisa is perched on the hillside with a stunning view overlooking the rocky west coast of Corsica. Although this is a challenging day with descents on tricky boulder fields, we aim to be in Evisa mid- to late-afternoon with time to take a dip in the pool and enjoy a quick apero in one of the many bars along the main street. Overnight in a quirky, simple hotel filled with history and love.
Dinner and breakfast included.
Elevation gain: 890’, Elevation loss: 2,600’; Distance: 7.4 miles; Time: 4 - 5 hours.
Day 12: Evisa to Marignana. Transfer to Porto and on to Calvi
Our hike today includes wonderful views of the famous coastline of Calanques de Piana, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We take a contouring path to the pretty village of Marignana. We'll have a nice stop at the hillside village at Ustaria (Refuge) di a Rota for a coffee break, and where we will meet our van for the 40-minute transfer to Porto. Once in Porto, we will have the obligatory dipping of the boots in the ocean. There will be time for lunch and exploration of this small, seaside village.
In the early afternoon, we will board the van for the trip to Calvi. Travel time from Porto to Calvi is about 1½ hours. Expected arrival in Calvi about 3:00 or 4:00 pm, which allows for time to explore this wonderful town. Farewell dinner.
Elevation gain: 290; Elevation loss: 900’ Distance: 3.4 miles. Time: 2 hours.
Day 13: Depart Calvi
Our trip will end with a group transfer to the Calvi Airport is about a 15- to 20-minute taxi trip from the hotel.
Elevation gain and loss refer to the total number of feet ascended and descended each day. Hiking times, which are good estimates, refer to the actual number of hours hiked, not including rest stops. Actual hiking time may vary depending on weather conditions and your hiking abilities. Elevation gains, losses, and distances are approximate.
Additional Information
SOLO TRAVELERS
If you wish to have your own room, there is a single room supplement fee of $800. Please let us know at the time of registration if you would like a single room. Single rooms are limited.
If you are traveling alone and would like to share a room, we will match you with a roommate. If there is no one with whom you can share, a “forced” single" fee of $600 will apply.
INCLUDED
- Luggage transfers each day.
- Group transfer from the Airport in Bastia to Moriani Plage
- Group transfer to the Calvi Airport Day 13
- All accommodations
- All breakfasts
- All dinners except two nights in Corte
- One lunch in Alando included
- All group transfers as described in the itinerary
- Guides
- Great hiking and memories!
NOT INCLUDED
Airfare, travel to Bastia, additional nights in Moriani, most lunches, two dinners, optional/individual transfers or excursions, items not on set dinner menu, beverages, insurance, tips to guides/leaders, items of personal nature (laundry, excess baggage charge, passport fees, etc.). Allow roughly $300 - $450 for additional personal costs plus tips to the guides.
LUGGAGE
This hike includes daily luggage. During the day you will need to carry a day pack with the clothing and extra items you will need. Please keep your extra luggage to one small/medium bag, a soft sided bag is preferred. There is not much space in the shared bunkrooms in the gites See our sample packing list.
While this trip includes luggage transfer, it is not vehicle supported. Participants should be in a physical condition appropriate to the strenuousness of this hike. It is, however, possible to skip a day of hiking and take a taxi to the next hotel. This extra cost is not included in the price of the trip.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FACILITIES
The accommodations on the Mare a Mare vary from comfortable 4-star hotels to gite d’etapes. Some hotels have pools, some are old fashioned and quirky, but all are welcoming. Hotel rooms tend to vary in size. The rooms will be primarily twin bedded (two separate beds). For couples who want a large double bed we will do our best, but at this time please plan for two beds!
While we do our best to book similar rooms for the group, it is not always possible due to the availability. (Note: One night at Evisa, not all rooms have private bathrooms, some will have shared facilities.) We spend 9 nights in hotels.
Gite d’Etapes: Gites are very similar to mountain huts or refuges and are generally located in small hamlets or villages. They typically offer small 4 – 6-person bunkrooms with shared facilities, and a common dining area. Blankets and pillows are provided; however, sleep sheets are required. The atmosphere is friendly and jovial as hikers from all over gather to spend the night. We believe that gites offer a wonderful opportunity to possibly meet hikers from other parts of the world and take part in the simple tradition of the European style of long-distance hiking. We spend night 3 nights in gite d’etapes (nights 3, 4 and 5).
Meals
Breakfast: At the hotels breakfast buffets include cereal, fruit, yogurt, juice, bread, cheese, etc. and hot drinks. At the gites a small buffet is offered. Sometimes our hikers pack some protein bars to supplement the breakfasts at the gites. Breakfasts are normally served at most hotels and refuges between 7:00 and 9:00 am.
Lunch: All of the accommodations offer a picnic lunch that your guide will preorder in the evening; however the accommodations like to know as soon as possible so they can make plans. When staying in small towns or villages, you will have the opportunity to shop for food and other supplies you may need to supplement your picnic lunches. Picnic lunches are not included in the cost of the trip.
Dinner: Dinner is usually served at 7:00 pm. There is one sitting, and the menu is set. The main course tends to be a meat dish, though with advanced notice we will make every effort to accommodate those with medically restricted diets and non-meat or vegetarian preferences. Snacks and beverages are available at all the accommodations. Given the remoteness of some of these overnight stops, fresh foods and alternative meals are often very limited.
If you have strict dietary concerns, please contact us.
TRAVEL
It is easiest to fly into Nice and out of Marseille. However, if your plans include travel to Paris, you can take the train from the TGV train station directly to Paris. Travel time from the Marseille airport is about 30 minutes by shuttle; travel from the TGV Station in Aix to Paris is about 3 hours.
MEETING POINT
The trip starts at our hotel in Moriani-Plage on day one. It is easiest to fly to Bastia Poretta Airport. Flights to Bastia depart from Paris Orly Airport as well as Nice Nice Côte d'Azur Airport and Marseille Provence Airport. Moriani-Plage is about 25 miles from the airport.
ENDING POINT
The trip will end a group transfer from our hotel in Calvi to the Calvi Airport about 15-20 minutes away.
WHO WOULD LIKE THIS TRIP?
This hike is a great combination of the Mediterranean climate, mountain views, varied hiking terrain, picturesque villages, remote hiking, and overnight stays in comfortable, relaxing inns. We grade this trip strenuous with some moderate. Though not as difficult or as challenging as our Alps hikes, participants should be prepared for a few long days on rugged terrain. You will be completely enchanted and impressed with the beauty and the fantastic hiking this area has to offer.
MORE INFORMATION
If you would like to register, or receive more information, including a detailed itinerary (including elevation gains, loss, and distance), please contact us. We're also happy to supply a list of past participants willing to share their insights into this guided Hiking Provence Inn-to-Inn experience.
How to Reserve This Trip
A deposit of $500 along with your completed registration forms will reserve a space on your requested trip. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express card as well as personal checks. To make a deposit, you may either follow one of the “Reserve a Trip” links below, give us a call at 1-888-845-5781, or include your payment information in the area provided when completing your registration forms.
The balance is due 90 days prior to departure for most of our trips. When applying less than 75 days prior to departure, full payment is due. For final payments, we accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express, as well as personal checks.
As confirmation of receipt of your deposit, we will send you a comprehensive packet of information pertaining to your trip, an invoice for final payment and additional information including release agreement form, medical information form, travel information, and packing list. Upon receipt of final payment and no later than 30 days prior to your trip start, you will receive trip rendezvous information and a list of accommodations. Returning trip participants will receive a 5% discount on most trips.
Receipt of all forms will finalize your registration.
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Reserve Your Spot
How to Reserve This Trip
A deposit of $500 along with your completed registration forms will reserve a space on your requested trip. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express card as well as personal checks. To make a deposit, you may either follow one of the “Reserve a Trip” links below, give us a call at 1-888-845-5781, or include your payment information in the area provided when completing your registration forms.
The balance is due 90 days prior to departure for most of our trips. When applying less than 75 days prior to departure, full payment is due. For final payments, we accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express, as well as personal checks.
As confirmation of receipt of your deposit, we will send you a comprehensive packet of information pertaining to your trip, an invoice for final payment and additional information including release agreement form, medical information form, travel information, and packing list. Upon receipt of final payment and no later than 30 days prior to your trip start, you will receive trip rendezvous information and a list of accommodations. Returning trip participants will receive a 5% discount on most trips.
Receipt of all forms will finalize your registration.
