Hiking in Corsica

What to expect

In May we will be early in the season, hence we have the coastal paths and beaches to ourselves. The days are filled with easy hikes that are longer in distance than in altitude gain and paths are wide and easy to walk on. It is a purely joyful hiking week that focuses on exploring the culturally rich region of the North of Corsica, being outdoors in nature and enjoying the first sunrays of the year. Apart from the beautiful landscape that we will experience the Corsen cuisine is an absolute highlight. Each evening we will venture to one of my favourite restaurants in town offering fresh seafood, hearty meats and cheese as well as delicious vegetarian alternatives.

Physical requirements

The 5 hikes are about 10 to 15 kilometres with considerable up- and downhill sections on some of the days (max. 500 meters altitude gain). The hikes are a good mix of longer and shorter days with a rest day in the middle. For all hikes a solid fitness level suffices, as the paths are non-technical and easy to walk on.  

Please note that it is your responsibility to make sure that you are fit enough and able to participate in this trip. If you have never hiked with me before or are unsure whether you meet the physical and technical requirements, I’d be very happy to speak over the phone with you about the trip in advance.

Service included

• Organised trip by a registered travel company
• Guided by a fully qualified UIMLA & VDBS International Mountain Leader
• Information package about the trip and the area including a packing list (3 months in advance)
• A group of max. 4 guests
• 6 hotel nights in L'Île-Rousse in twin rooms incl. breakfast
• Public transport from L'Île-Rousse to the start and from the end of hikes

I value your commitment, loyalty and support to make Shanti Treks a successful and sustainable business. Hence, I have put together a discount scheme to thank you for all your effort:

• Loyalty: 10% off if you have been on a Shanti Trek in 2024 & 10% off your next trip with me
• Commitment: 50% off all Shanti day-hikes (starting from Munich) in summer 2025
• Support: €50 off if you bring a friend
• Save the planet: € 50 off if you travel by public transport (i.e. ferry, train or bus) to L'Île-Rousse

Extra costs on tour

• Transport to L'iÎle-Rousse
• (Packed) lunch, dinner, and beverages during the trip

Optional

• Massages & treatments at the hotel
• Airport transfer from Calvi or Bastia to L'Île-Rousse
• Upgrade: Double room to yourself (€ 45 p. N., € 270 extra in total; only 3 rooms available)

Accommodation

We stay in a beautiful 3-star hotel with a gorgeous outdoor pool, a small café and a lot of tranquil outdoor seating, where we can practice yoga in the morning and hang out after our hikes. The hotel is located a short walk from the town centre with cute little shops, cafes and restaurants and from the local beach that is clean and invites for a cold dip. In the mornings we enjoy a lush buffet breakfast outside, we take packed lunch on our hikes and enjoy incredibly good food in the best restaurants in town. Please contact me for further details of the hotel.

Travel

It is possible to travel to L'Île-Rousse without flying from mainland Europe. You can take a ferry to Bastia, in the north-east of Corsica, from various harbous in Italy and France, such as Livorno or Toulon. L'Île-Rousse is about 1.5 hrs from Bastia. If you are not coming from mainland Europe, there is an airport in Bastia and in Calvi and direct flights go for example from many airports in France, or Munich, Berlin or Brussels. There is an organised group airport shuttle leaving Bastia in the monring of the arrival and departure date (Cost: €55 p.P./ per ride) and a bus / train service in the afternoon.

If you would like help to arrange your travel, please do not hesitate to get in touch!

Programme

Day 1 – Arrival
You can arrive anytime today. The day is free to explore L'Île-Rousse, visit the town’s beach or hang by the pool. There will be a small briefing about the hikes and the upcoming days in the late afternoon and we go for a joined dinner in the city centre in the evening.

Day 2 – 7
In the coming week we venture on five different hikes around L'Île-Rousse and one of the days we take a rest day. On this day you can explore L'Île-Rousse or the nearby beach town of Calvi, stay by the pool or go to the beach. There are also many excursions offered by tour operators in L'Île-Rousse, such as boat- and wine-tours (at extra cost). These can be discussed within the group prior to the trip, and I am happy to organise it for you. Below is a selection of some of the numerous day-hikes that start directly from L'Île-Rousse or are accessible via public transport.

Monticello
11 km, ↑200 m, ↓ 400 m, 3 hrs walking time (not including breaks)
Monticello lies to the east of L'Île-Rousse and is the village where it is believed that Christopher Columbus's mysterious mother Susanna Fontanarossa was born. It offers sweeping views over the western coast of Cap Corse. We take a bus up to the village and enjoy a nice leisurely hike back to L'Île-Rousse, where we can stop for a swim in the sea.

Santa Reparata
12 km, ↑↓ 400 m, 4 hrs 
Directly south of L'Île-Rousse lie the picturesque towns of Corbara and Santa Raparata who are well connected via hiking trails and invite for a leisurely hill walk with many options to stop for a bite to eat or a drink.

Lake Codole
17 km, ↑ 550 m, ↓ 750 m, 5 hrs 
We start from Speloncato where we follow a gentle path down to the lake, which we circle before ascending to San Antonino. From here we continue towards the sea, which we can see in the distance, until we reach Occiglioni from where we take a bus back to L'Île-Rousse.    

Capu d’Oci
16 km, ↑↓ 500 m, 5 hrs
From the coastal town of Algajola a hiking path leads to the ruins of the town Oci before we reach the peak of Capu d’Oci. On the way back we pass Lavatoggio, where we can stop for lunch before we return to Algajola.

Calvi Peninsula
15 km, ↑↓ 400 m, 4.5 hrs
From Calvi we explore the little Peninsula with many options to go down to the beach for swim and great views over the sea.

Day 8 – Departure
We finish our hiking week over dinner the night before. Everybody can meet up for breakfast, yet you can start your travel home at any time today.

Note that our hiking days may differ from the described programme due to weather and path conditions or the physical ability of the group.