Hiking on the land of the Corsican cape sailors
At the end of Cape Corse, thousand-year-old paths wind between abandoned sheepfolds and Genoese towers facing the Mediterranean.
Duration
7 days
From
€900/pers.
Ideal seasons
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Style
Itinerant travel
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends, senior
The spirit of travel
This hike connects the coastal villages at the northern tip of the island, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea to the east and the Mediterranean to the west.
This region, beautiful and very wild, sheltered from mass tourism, is a gem, an almost uninhabited mountain that plunges into the sea with charming little hamlets steeped in history, Genoese towers, convents and baroque chapels nestled in lush vegetation.
This peninsula is a land apart, the most maritime in Corse, the land of Cap Corse seafarers, great travelers who, upon returning from Puerto Rico or Panama, built superb houses called "American houses" on their native land.
Your passionate guide will take you to discover these secret spots, sheepfolds and lost hamlets. You will stay in charming houses or hotels and taste the cuisine of Cap Corse: fish, cheese, charcuterie and its famous muscat wine. You will visit the citron plantations, a delicate fruit called "aliméa" which is said to be the forbidden fruit of the Garden of Eden.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
The Hamlets of Pietracorbara
Bastia → Pietracorbara
Transfer from Bastia to the village of Pietracorbara which has a beautiful sandy beach.
Swimming at the marine d'Ampuglia which has a lovely Genoese tower.
Lunch and a short warm-up hike to discover charming hamlets through woods, sheepfolds, Genoese bridge, old mill, small chapels.
Walking time: approximately 3 hours
Night in a guesthouse.
The Path of Light
Pietracorbara → Barrettali
The trail starts from the hamlet of Lapedina to the Chapel of Saint Pancrace. This former mule track was reopened by a village association and named Path of Light because it departs from the east coast and follows the course of the sun towards the west.
The path, lined with thyme and immortelle flowers, winds through rocks shaped like fantastic animals to the summit which offers the discovery of an astonishing prehistoric site, the Peak of the Virgins, and an aerial view over both sides of the island as far as the Finnochiarola islands to the north.
Walking distance: approximately 15 km
Elevation gain: 700m
Dinner and overnight stay in a guest house.
The coastal path with sea views
Barrettali → Luri
Visit of a citrus fruit plantation. We admire the terraces planted with trees and the gardens descending in steps towards the small port of Giottani, wild marine landscape surrounded by cliffs and the only coastal shelter between Saint-Florent and Centuri.
Fantastic hike on a suspended path overlooking the sea to the former Seneca Tower where the philosopher is said to have lived during his exile.
Walking distance: approximately 10 km
Elevation gain: approximately 650m
Dinner and night in a guesthouse.
Along the wild coast
Luri → Centuri
The ridge trail follows the crest line with magnificent views of the wild and jagged coastline and continues north to the charming little port of Centuri, known worldwide for its lobster fishing.
Dinner and overnight in a family guesthouse in the hamlet of Camera.
American houses and hamlets in the forest
Centuri → Ersa
We climb up to the Moulin Mattei with a panoramic view over the Centuri port. Visit to the hamlet of Cannelle with its fountain and its beautiful stone sheepfolds facing the sea.
We cross the picturesque village of Morsiglia with its large square towers and beautiful houses built by Americans including the Palazzu Ghielfucci.
The path descends towards the eastern coast of the island to the village of Ersa. Ersa is a forest village dotted with chapels and old churches that you discover hidden in the middle of clearings.
Hiking distance: approximately 8 km
Elevation gain: approximately 250m
Dinner and overnight in a guest house.
The small islands and Tuscan islands
Ersa → Barcaghiu
A path through the woods descends to the small marine de Tollare before joining the customs path to the Giralia islet with its tower. Arrival at the port of Barcaghiu for a swim in azure waters.
The beach has very beautiful dunes where the Coastal Conservatory has implemented a protection program for plant species such as marram grass and sand bindweed that maintain the dunes.
Offshore, Italy and the Tuscan island of Capraia seem just nearby.
Walking distance: 10 km
Positive elevation gain: 300m
Night in a charming hotel on the pretty small port of Barcaghiu.
The Customs Officers' Path and the Wild Beaches at the End of the Cape
Barcaghiu → Macinaggio
The customs trail continues to reach the beautiful sandy beach of Tamarone. It's the end of the world, the last bastion before the infinity of the open sea. You'll come across the Santa Maria tower which seems to emerge from the sea, languid cows on the sand, a pretty chapel.
You reach the marina of Maccinagio for one last drink.
Walking distance: approximately 13 km
Elevation gain: approximately 350m
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- Membership - registration fees (35€)
- Travel Cancellation Insurance
- Everything not mentioned in the inclusions
Included
- Travel insurance - repatriation assistance
- Transport from Bastia port or airport to Pietracorbara and return Maccinagio to Bastia
- All accommodations in bed and breakfasts or hotels with breakfasts included
- Midday Picnics
- Dinners except days 1 and 6
- Supervision by a medium mountain guide
- Transportation of belongings every other day
- 15€ for the solidarity development fund
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and Canada traveling to Corsica for a tourist stay. Entry rules may change, so we recommend that you verify the information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport and ID card
Corsica is a French territorial collectivity, therefore a destination located in the territory of the European Union. No special formalities are required for nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
These travelers can enter Corsica with:
their valid national identity card,
or their valid passport.
It is nonetheless advisable to travel with an official form of identification in good condition for any potential checks.
Canadian nationals
Canadian nationals, as nationals of a third country to the European Union, must be in possession of a valid passport to enter French territory. No visa is required for a tourist stay not exceeding 90 days in the Schengen area.
The passport must be in good condition (no deteriorated, torn or altered pages) and, preferably, valid beyond the planned duration of stay.
Tourist stay without visa
As Corsica is an integral part of French territory and the Schengen area, no visa is necessary for nationals of the EEA, Switzerland and Canada for a tourist stay. No maximum length of stay applies to nationals of the EEA and Switzerland on French territory. Canadian nationals may stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period in the Schengen area.
Travel with children
Minors who are nationals of the EEA and Switzerland can travel with their valid national identity card or passport. Canadian minors must be in possession of a valid passport.
In certain countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to leave the territory may be required depending on the regulations of the country of residence. It is recommended to inquire with the competent authorities of your country before departure.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions to French territory may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should inquire with the French embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be insured for repatriation assistance and medical expenses during your travels.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To purchase insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that suits you best:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to one.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claim declaration procedures is available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with claim declaration procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
You can travel to Corsica with a valid identity document. Entry conditions to Corsica are identical to those of mainland France. Flights or ferries from the mainland are considered domestic travel. Before traveling, check with French consular authorities for entry conditions specific to your nationality.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a quality tailored trip, budget between €160 and €280 per day per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transport and activities. Flights or ferries from mainland France (€150-400 return depending on season) are additional. Summer is significantly more expensive.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. Together you refine every detail until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Upper Corsica and Cape Corsica
Keeper of the Corsican soul, based in Cap Corse
For me, loving a region is first and foremost loving its people. In Corsica, the villages, the voices, the gestures and the paths tell as much as the landscapes.
— Véronique
