NEW TRIP
GR20 Hikes & Multi-Sport Adventures on France’s Mediterranean Isle
Ultimate Corsica
Overview
Rugged mountains cut by plunging river gorges, enchanting pine and chestnut forests, pristine glacial lakes, white-sand beaches, atmospheric fishing villages—this is Corsica, often called the “Mountain in the Sea.” Set in the middle of the Mediterranean, Corsica belongs to France, but is an entity unto itself, with a delightful blend of French and Italian influences and its own distinctive cuisine and fine wines. On our hiking adventure with Trip Leader Tania Masi, whose infectious enthusiasm and knowledge makes every day a five-star experience, we’ll head out on the island’s famed mountain trails, picnic beside hidden tarns, and venture through dramatic river gorges where natural pools allow us to cool off after a full day of hiking. Many of our hikes are along Corsica’s rugged long-distance trails, including the Mare a Mare Nord (Sea to Sea) and the celebrated GR20, among the most challenging mountain trails in Europe. We’ll offer multi-sport options along the way, including biking and the unique Corsican sport of “canyoning.” Our overnights are in charming inns. Join us for a mountain adventure in a hiker’s paradise!
Arrive: Calvi, Corsica
Depart: Bonifacio, Corsica
Highlights
- Hike Corsica’s scenic long-distance trails, including the celebrated GR20 path, known around the world as one of Europe’s most spectacular mountain routes
- Take the challenging trail to the Cirque de Bonifatu, a glacial amphitheater surrounded by jagged peaks
- Choose optional multi-sport adventures including “canyoning,” biking, and sea kayaking
- Sample Corsican delights—savory charcuterie, brocciu cheese, fiadone (traditional Corsican cheesecake), draft beer made from chestnuts, excellent wines
Itinerary
From seaside Calvi, hike through fragrant scrubland up to Capu di a Veta, and the next day take the spectacular trail up to Cirque de Bonifatu, a glacial amphitheater of jagged granite peaks.
On the Mare a Mare Nord, a long-distance trail that passes shepherds’ stone houses, hike into Corsica’s deepest mountain gorge. The next day explore Corte, the 18th century capital, or enjoy optional biking or a hike to the beautiful mountain lakes of Lac de Melo and Lac de Capitello.
Experience “canyoning,” a Corsican adventure sport that involves hiking, rappelling, and sliding into natural pools (wet suit provided!). Or enjoy a hike from Col de Bavella (4,000') to Le Trou de La Bombe. The next day’s hike brings us to Plateau du Cuscione at nearly 5,000 feet, where wild horses roam freely. We’ll also have options for biking.
We’ll hike the last leg of the famous GR20 trail, descending from Bavella’s alpine forest setting into Mediterranean terrain with impressive views of the coastline. Our last stop is the breathtaking harbor city of Bonifacio, with its dramatic white cliffs, medieval core, and panoramic sea views. We have a chance to explore its Old Town or sea kayaking in the harbor.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated a Level 5+, Strenuous to Very Strenuous, according to our trip grading system. You will need to be comfortable hiking 10-12 miles a day, gaining and losing 4,000+ feet of elevation for several days, and hiking on uneven surfaces with descents that can be hard on the knees. This trip includes sections of scrambling through areas of loose rock and the need to use fixed chains for aid, and includes portions of trail with serious exposure. While no climbing or mountaineering experience is necessary, all trip members should have ample hiking experience and be able to keep up with the group. Trail conditions, weather, and the group's level of fitness can affect hiking times and pacing.
Average Hiking Day
- 10 miles, 8 hours, 2,000' ascent/descent
Challenge Day
- Day 3: 9.6 miles, 10-12 hours, 4,760' ascent/2,000' descent
- Day 8: 12 miles, 8 hours, 2,295' ascent/5,400' descent
The trails are usually packed dirt, but the terrain can be rugged, with steep climbs over uneven ground and craggy rocks. This includes sections of loose scree, the occasional need to scramble and use fixed chains for aid. On some days, you will encounter sections of narrow, exposed trails. Altitudes are not high, and we carry only a daypack, but distances are long on some days, and there are many days with steep ascents and descents. During the trip, we will also offer multi-sport options such as biking and the Corsican sport of “canyoneering.” Your Trip Leader will explain the specifics with you in person, however, we recommend you have experience with those activities before the trip if you plan to participate.
We strongly urge you to train for your trip, as your enjoyment will be highly dependent on your level of fitness. The best training for a hike is to hike, especially over hills or rough terrain. Next best are running, swimming, bicycling, or other cardiovascular exercises. Stair-climbing machines are excellent preparation for hiking uphill. It’s important to take time to build up muscle and endurance prior to your trip. Your feet should also be well prepared—make sure your hiking boots are sturdy, comfortable, and thoroughly broken-in.
The weather in Corsica is usually very pleasant, with summer/fall temperatures in the 70s°F and 80s°F during the day and in the 50s°F and 60s°F at night. Cool breezes and rain showers can occur at any time.
Our accommodations are in hotels that selected for their location and comfort. While they are not the most luxurious options in the area, they are comfortable and in optimal locations. Since they are often in historic buildings, the rooms are not always of uniform or international size. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.
The food in Corsica is a blend of two of the world’s most beloved cuisines: French and Italian. Menus offer locally made charcuterie, wild boar stew, chestnut polenta, fragrant fish stews, canistrelli (flaky shortbread biscuits), and the island’s famed cheeses and Corsican honey. Continental breakfast is served at our hotels, and we will often enjoy a packed lunch along the way during our hikes. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm.
Our support vehicle will transport the group’s luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day’s hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or remain at the hotel if we are not transferring that day).
Client Testimonials
"This was a fantastic trip with a good mix of hikes of varying levels. Our guides did a great job dealing with minor unexpected issues that came up; as a participant things were seamless and I appreciated having the option to do canyoning one day."
Loran Y.
Portland, OR
"The trip was fantastic—great hotels, exceptional food, and wonderful guides. I can't say enough about how wonderful our Trip Leader Tania was on this trip. She was knowledgeable of the history, culture, and people of Corsica. Her past experience on the island was evident; I would go on another trip with Tania in a heartbeat!"
Nancy S.
Mosca, CO
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.