Are you looking for the best hikes in Corsica for your next holiday?
Although many people think that Corsica is the ideal place for a beach holiday, Corsica is in fact a real hiker's paradise.
In this article we focus on the most beautiful day hikes you can do in Corsica, because not all of us want to spend our holidays only hiking. By the way, these hiking trails in Corsica are perfect for a day or half-day adventure.
We have added to the list of 6 a 7th hike, the GR20, one of the most famous hiking trails in the world, even if it is more than 200 km long over several days, taking you from the north to the south of the country or vice versa.
Finally, it should be noted that, for your greater pleasure, we have enriched our list of the most beautiful hikes in Corsica with precious and detailed information and advice.
Let's go and discover these magnificent hikes in Corsica!
When is the best time to do these hikes in Corsica?
The high season in Corsica is in July and August and, although the weather during these months is perfect for lying on the the beach all day, it is certainly not ideal for hiking. The sun can be quite brutal and temperatures can rise to 37°C.
A much better option if you really want to enjoy hiking in Corsica is to go in late April, May, June or September. The weather will be less hot and there will also be far fewer people on the hiking trails. You'll still need to apply a ton of sunscreen and bring plenty of water with you on your hike, but it won't be as hot!
Essential tips for hiking in Corsica
- Wear sturdy hiking boots, preferably mountain boots. Most trails can be rocky and uneven and you don't want to lose your balance.
- Wear layers of clothing: especially if you are going out of season, it can still be cold in the morning.
- Make sure you arrive early on the most popular hiking trails to ensure the best experience.
- Bring a small first aid kit. You can always get injured on a hike and it is important that you can disinfect injuries as quickly as possible.
- Almost all hiking trails are well marked, but don't forget to plan your route on maps.me or alltrails.
- Apply sunscreen - Most hikes are quite exposed, so make sure you protect yourself from the hot sun.
- Bring plenty of water - While most of these hikes are not very physically challenging, you should still bring plenty of water with you on the trail due to the hot temperatures.
Best hikes in Corsica
1. Coastal walk from Bonifacio to the lighthouse
This beautiful coastal walk in Corsica that starts in Bonifacio is one of our favourites and is also known as the Campu Rumanilu & Pertusatu Trail.
Here you can enjoy the most beautiful views for a small effort.
The start of the hiking trail can be seen from the bastion of Bonifacio and from there you can see that it winds up to the cliff tops.
There are a number of hiking trails near Bonifacio, but this one certainly offers the most spectacular views of the cliffs and the town itself.
You can choose to walk to the lighthouse at the end of the trail or turn back a little earlier.
Along the trail there are several small paths that take you closer to the edge of the cliffs, but nothing too dangerous. Just be careful on windy days.
- Walking distance - 8km (4.9 miles)
- Elevation - 140m
- Route type - Round trip
- Duration - 2.5 hours
- Level - Easy. There are no steep slopes or dangerous parts on this hiking trail near Bonifacio. Just be careful on windy days. But it is an ideal walk to do with young children too.
- Parking - There are two car parks in Bonifacio and you can choose whether to park lower down near the marina or drive a little further up towards the town.
- Best time to visit - On a clear day, we highly recommend doing this walk in the evening to enjoy the sunset over Bonifacio.
- Season - April to end of September
Where to stay - Hotel Spa Genovese for an unforgettable stay, a cliff top location and panoramic views.
Read also: What to do in Bonifacio? 15 places to visit
2. Purcaraccia Waterfalls hiking trail
The Purcaraccia Waterfalls hiking trail is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Corsica, but it is not the easiest. The trail is not marked at all and it is very easy to miss a fork in the road at the end.
The best advice we can give you is to follow the trail on the AllTrails app, combined with Maps.me. Don't forget to download the map of Corsica before you set off!
The trail starts roughly on the side of the road, in the hairpin bend that follows the Col de Larone. There is a very small exit where you can park your car but make sure you arrive early as there is only room for 3 cars. Otherwise you will have to park your car at the Bocca di Larone car park which is only a 2 minute walk from the start of the hiking trail.
The first part of the hiking trail Cascades de Purcaraccia goes through a small forest and offers incredible views of the Aiguilles de Bavella.
Then the trail goes deeper into a gorge where you'll have to climb over rocks and cross the river at some point, so keep an eye on the offline map or you'll find yourself at a dead end.
But the final destination is well worth the struggle and in the summer months you can even swim there!
- Walking distance - 4.8 km
- Elevation - 354m
- Type of route - out and back
- Duration - 2.5 hours
- Level - Difficult. Sturdy hiking boots are a must as you will be climbing over rocks and the trail is not marked at all. There are many small side sections where you can get lost and without a decent offline map it is very difficult to find the right directions.
- Parking - Bocca di Larone
- Best time to visit - Start your hike early in the morning, during the low season.
- Season - April to end of September
Where to stay - Stay at the Grand Hotel De Cala Rossa & Spa Nucca to fully relax after a day of adventure.
3. Capo Rosso hiking trail - The most beautiful hiking trail in Corsica
The Capo Rosso hiking trail is one of the best and most beautiful hikes in Corsica!
The area around the Calanques de Piana is absolutely beautiful for hiking and one of the most beautiful places to visit in the whole of Corsica.
The Capo Rosso hiking trail starts near Piana, a small town chosen as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Almost the entire hiking trail is exposed, so be sure to bring sunscreen and plenty of water with you!
The hike passes by the Genoese tower of Turghiu, one of the highest towers on the Corsican coast, whose summit offers a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Porto, the Gulf of Sagone and the Scandola reserve.
The hike from Capo Rosso is very well marked. The path is easy to follow, just the last few metres of ascent include a bit of climbing but just point to the Genoese tower and you are ready to go!
At one point the path splits into two sections, one not more difficult than the other. The longer trail simply takes you along the cliffs and offers some different views!
- Walking distance - 6.9km
- Elevation - 457m
- Route type - Loop
- Time - 3 hours
- Level - Moderate. The Capo Rosso hiking trail is very well signposted but has a lot of gradient in both directions.
- Parking - Start of Capo Rosso hike
- Best time to visit - The best time to start your hike would be in the late evening to watch the sunset from the Genoese tower. If you plan to do this, be sure to bring a headlamp with you if it is too dark on your way back to your car.
- Season - April to end of September
Where to stay - Stay at Bella Vista for a 2 bedroom flat with incredible panoramic views.
4. Blue Rocks Spring and Calanchi di Piana Hike
Another fun hike in Corsica that starts near Piana is the Source des Roches Bleues and Calanchi di Piana hiking trail. This hike will take you through the forest and give you great views of the surrounding area.
At some point you find yourself on the road in the middle of the Calanque de Piana and although there is another hiking trail, we recommend walking along the road to admire all the rock formations and take tons of pictures!
- The route crosses the Dardo stream and offers a magnificent view of the Calanques de Piana.
- Walking distance - 4.3 km
- Elevation - 343m
- Type of route - Loop
- Duration - 2 hours
- Level - Easy. The trail is well marked and can also be done with children.
- Parking - Stade Municipal de Piana
- Best time to visit - Start in the morning to see the sun hitting the red rock formations.
- Season - April to end of September
Where to stay - Stay at the Bella Vista for a 2 bedroom flat that offers incredible panoramic views.
5. Hiking Girolata via the Sentier du Facteur
The Girolata hike via the Sentier du Facteur is one of the best hikes in Corsica and should definitely be on your list!
The small town of Girolata, a real hidden gem and one of the most beautiful towns in Corsica, can only be reached in two ways: by foot or by boat.
The hike starts at the Col du Croix where you can park your car and the first part simply descends through a forest to the Plage de Tuara, a beautiful beach where you won't find many other people.
Then the path splits and you can choose to walk on the Postman's Path or follow part of the Mare et Monti path.
The Postman's Path is so called because the local postman used to walk it every day to deliver the mail to the inhabitants of the small town of Girolata.
- Walking distance - 9.7 km
- Elevation - 555m
- Type of route - Loop
- Duration - 3,5 hours
- Level - Easy. The trail is well marked and can also be done with children.
- Parking - Col du Croix
- Best time to visit - This is the perfect hike if you want to go a little slower. You can start in the morning and go to Girolata, have lunch in one of the restaurants and come back to the car park.
- Season - April to end of September
- Stay at the Bella Vista for a 2 bedroom flat with incredible panoramic views.
Where to stay - Stay at Bella Vista for a 2 bedroom flat with incredible panoramic views.
6. Hiking in the Spelunca Gorge near Ota
The Spelunca Gorge is one of the most beautiful places in the whole of Corsica and there are several hiking options here! You can choose to walk from Ota to the beautiful town of Evisa or you can choose to walk to the Zaglia bridge, a beautiful stone bridge classified as a historical monument.
- Walking distance - 3.1km
- Elevation - 115m
- Type of route - Out & Back
- Duration - 3.5 hours
- Level - Easy. The trail is well marked and can also be done with children.
- Parking - Col du Croix
- Best time to visit - This is the perfect hike if you want to take it a little slower. You can start in the morning and go to Girolata, have lunch in one of the restaurants and come back to the car park.
- Season - April to end of September
Where to stay - Stay at the Bella Vista for a 2 bedroom flat with incredible panoramic views.
7. The GR20
You can't miss the GR20 hike when you're in Corsica. The Sentier de Grande Randonnée 20 is one of the best hiking trails in Corsica and allows you to discover the beauty of the whole island by following the central spine from north to south. Wherever you look, you will be blessed with the spectacular and fascinating natural and man-made beauty of Corsica.
This hiking trail has several refuges or mountain hamlets where the weary traveller can rest. It is even considered the most difficult hike in Europe!
It is a spectacular 180 km long trail. Although the terrain is generally rough, it is one of those hikes that is within the reach of most hikers. The hiking trail is well marked, making it easy for travellers. The average time needed to walk the GR20 trail is about 11-12 days, but it will vary 100% depending on your own ability and fitness.
Faster hikers can complete the trail in 5-6 days and slower hikers can take up to 15-16 days. Although wild camping is forbidden, you will find plenty of camping opportunities along the GR20 if you don't want to rest in the mountain huts.
It starts in the north from the tip of Calenzana and ends at Conca in the south. The best time to choose to hike the GR20 is from early June to late October. However, if you want to avoid the crowds, opt for July and August.
Tip
A key tip for the GR20 would be to join in and enjoy some of the meals available in the mountain huts, as this will save some of the weight of your rucksack and allow you to bond with your fellow trekkers.
Where to stay
This hiking trail also offers regular accommodation and resupply options. You can do a full resupply at Vizzavona, and top up your provisions at Asco, Castel di Verghio, Bavella.
You can enjoy some of the spectacular swimming holes along the way and a dip in the clear waters on a hot sunny day is an absolute must. The spectacular and fantastic panoramic views will leave you breathless if you opt for a trip to Monte Cinto which is the highest peak in Corsica.
Final Thoughts
The beautiful island of Corsica has some amazing hiking trails. Whether you are new to hiking or an experienced hiker, it doesn't matter.
You should book a holiday trip to Corsica as soon as possible. With adventurous hiking trails, interesting and spectacular views along the way, you will never get tired or bored.
There are several hiking options available; both long and short trails. If hiking and trekking is your passion, Corsica should be on your checklist.
