Short Treks on Corsica
Five mountain and coastal treks including the Mare a Mare and Mare e Monti
Short Treks on Corsica
Five mountain and coastal treks including the Mare a Mare and Mare e Monti
Guidebook describing five mountain and coastal treks on the Mediterranean island of Corsica: the 2-day Sentier du Douanier (Custom Officer's Path), the 10-day Mare e Monti, the 11-day coast-to-coast Mare a Mare Nord, the 5-day Mare a Mare Sud and the 5-day Mare e Monti Sud. With information on facilities and local plants and wildlife.Explore the dramatic mountain landscapes, rugged coastline, and scented maquis of Corsica with this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook to five short mountain and coastal treks. From exposed coastal paths around Cap Corse to classic mountain-to-sea routes through the island’s wild interior, these walks reveal Corsica’s striking contrasts, rich biodiversity, and distinctive local culture.
Designed for hikers and walkers with good fitness, the five short treks on Corsica range from accessible coastal outings to longer multi-day walking routes through forested hills and remote uplands, perfect for anyone seeking a taste of the island’s legendary trekking. Each route is presented in daily stages of 8-18km (5–11 miles), finishing where accommodation is available.
- Comprehensive day-by-day walking and trekking route descriptions for five of Corsica’s classic short treks: the 2-day Sentier du Douanier, the 10-day Mare e Monti, the 11-day Mare a Mare Nord, the 5-day Mare a Mare Sud, and the 5-day Mare e Monti Sud, offering flexibility to mix, match, or adapt your Corsican hiking itinerary.
- Clear, step-by-step walking directions, with detailed 1:50,000 mapping and elevation profiles for every stage of these Corsican hiking routes.
- Downloadable GPX files for all five routes on Corsica, suitable for use with GPS devices and smartphone navigation apps
- Refreshment and accommodation details for every stage, highlighting Corsican villages, mountain inns, and trail-side facilities valued by walkers and trekkers.
- Practical hiking advice on planning and preparation, including the best time to walk in Corsica, transport logistics, and tips for combining treks into longer walking adventures.
- Notes on Corsican plants, wildlife, and local cuisine enrich your experience of the diverse landscapes encountered on these walks and treks.
Plan your walking holiday on Corsica with confidence and enjoy some of the island’s most rewarding short mountain and coastal treks with this practical and inspiring guidebook from the experts at Cicerone.
Short Treks on Corsica - Quick Facts
Trail name: Short Treks on Corsica
Location: Corsica, France
Routes included: Sentier du Douanier, Mare e Monti, Mare a Mare Nord, Mare a Mare Sud, Mare e Monti Sud
Route type: Multiple short mountain and coastal treks
Distance range: Day stages of 8–18km (5–11 miles)
Typical duration: 2–11 days per trek
Longest trek: Mare a Mare Nord (11 days)
Shortest trek: Sentier du Douanier (2 days)
Route format: Linear routes with opportunities to combine sections
Terrain: Coastal paths, forested hills, mountain interiors, maquis
Difficulty: Moderate – suitable for walkers with good fitness
Navigation: Waymarked paths supported by mapping and GPX files
Best season: Spring and autumn; early summer for higher routes
Accommodation: Villages, mountain inns and trail-side accommodation along each route
Author Highlight
“Aptly known as ‘the scented isle’, Corsica's towering forests, gushing cascades, beautiful isolated coves, aromatic maquis and spectacular river gorges make it a paradise for walkers - and that's without mentioning mountain landscapes and quiet villages nestling on hillsides of chestnut woods. Everything that Corsica has to offer can be enjoyed along these routes.”
- Gillian Price, author of Short Treks on Corsica
Printed book
A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps - everything you need on the trail.
ISBN
9781786310590
Availability
Published
Published
23 Mar 2021
Edition
First
Pages
918
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.15cm
Weight
220g
eBook
The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device. To access your eBook, you will need an eReader app. For more details, visit the eBook FAQs.
Map key
Overview map
Route summary table
Introduction
The treks
Corsica
Plant life
Wildlife
When to go
Getting to Corsica
Local transport
Accommodation
Food and drink
What to take
Waymarking and maps
Emergencies
Using this guide
The treks
Trek 1 Sentier du Douanier: Cap Corse
Trek 2 Mare e Monti: Calenzana to Cargèse
Trek 3 Mare a Mare Nord: Cargèse to Moriani Plage
Trek 4 Mare a Mare Sud: Porto-Vecchio to Burgu
Trek 5 Mare e Monti Sud: Burgu to Porticcio
Appendix A Useful contacts
Appendix B Accommodation
Appendix C Glossary of French and Corsican terms
Appendix D Further reading
Seasons
Spring to autumn - the majority of the walkers' hostels open from April to October. Spring means mild weather that is perfect for lowland trekking, then as temperatures rise, walkers will appreciate the cooler uplands. Late summer into early autumn can be simply glorious - and the sea stays warm for swimming.
Centres
Calenzana, Cargèse, Propriano, Porticcio, Porto-Vecchio, Corte, Moriani, Centuri, Macinaggio, Evisa
Difficulty
The five treks are straightforward (easy to moderate difficulty) and explore a variety of different terrain. While no special equipment is needed, walkers need to be fairly fit to be able to enjoy the experience of exploring the island.
Must See
Visit the divine bay of Girolata; hike Cap Corse on the old customs officer's track; swim in the dramatic Fango canyon; walk the famous Spilunca gorge with its paved mule tracks and Genoese bridges; drink in the history of the island's historic capital Corte; stay in cosy village accommodation and walkers' hostels where you'll enjoy feasts of fresh fish, cheese and local chestnuts accompanied by artisanal beer and wines
February 2025
Treks 2 and 3 updates
Trek 2 Mare e Monti
Stage 6 - there is no longer a grocery store in Serriera
Stage 8 - storm damage means the section between Ota and Evisa is unfortunately closed. Updates here: www.pnr.corsica/fr/randonnees-decouverte/mare-e-monti
A shuttle taxi service is available for walkers. Contact Jean-Dominique Ceccaldi tel 06 14154627.
Trek 3 - Mare a Mare Nord
Stage 4 - the route is signposted before arriving at Albertacce as Pont de Muricciolu is no longer in use. You're pointed on a detour via Ponti Altu.
Updates here: www.pnr.corsica/fr/randonnees-decouverte/mare-a-mare-nord
(Thanks to Ewan Mearns)
October 2022
Treks 2 and 3 updates
Trek 2, Stage 6 pp68-69 There are several minor route changes before Rivière de Vetricella and before arriving in Serriera - just follow the clear waymarking
Trek 2, Stage 4 Girolata La Cabane du Berger is now E Casarelle tel 07644 060864
https://ecasarelle.wixsite.com/ecasarelle open April-Oct
Trek 2, Stage 8 Evisa gite closed
Trek 2, on Stages 2 + 7 In the wake of a summer storm there were many fallen trees en route in September
Trek 3, Stage 3 Evisa gite is closed
Trek 3, Stage 5 Refuge A Sega does not currently provide blankets
(Thanks to Andy and Lucy Price)
June 2022
Mare e Monti Stage 3
The gîte L’Etape Marine at Galéria is now closed (thanks to Francesca P for the info). Alternative accommodation at Galéria includes Hotel Camparellu (listed in the guidebook).
May 2022
Trek 2 - Mare e Monti
Stage 2: the Gite d'Etape L'Alzelli at Tuarelli appears to be permanently closed. Walkers need to proceed to Fangu, a further 1hr 35min.
Suggestion: stop walking at Tuarelli - ask your Fangu accommodation provider to pick you up at Tuarelli or organise for a taxi. You can always return to Tuarelli the next morning and pick up the route.
October 2021
Trek 3, Stage 9
p121 After Ferrera and the stone bridge, ignore the fork L and stay on the road into the village for the gite.
September 2021
Treks 2 and 3
The Gite at the end of Stage 9 on Trek 2 and Stage 1 on Trek 3 is now permanently closed and there is no water available at the Gite. The tourist information office in Cargeese recommend that people who want to do the compete trek take a taxi back to Cargeese spend the night there and then taxi back up to the start.
The URL for Ustaria Di A Rota should be https://www.ustaria-di-a-rota.fr/gite
Thank you to Graham Shorrock
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