CONTENTS
Map key
Overview map
Introduction
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 Far North
Walk 1 Cap Corse Sentier du Douanier: Macinaggio–Barcaggio
Walk 2 St-Florent coastal route
The North-West
Walk 3 Bonifatu loop: La Boucle de Ficaghiola
Walk 4 The Fango river valley
Walk 5 Visiting Girolata
Walk 6 Spilonca gorge
Walk 7 The Calanche: l’ancien chemin des muletiers
Walk 8 Capu Rossu
Walk 9 The Aïtone forest
The Centre
Walk 10 Beneath Paglia Orba and Capu Tafunatu
Walk 11 Lac de Nino
Walk 12 The Tavignano river valley
Walk 13 Glacial lakes in the Restonica valley
Walk 14 La Cascade des Anglais
The South-West
Walk 15 Punta Parata loop
Walk 16 Ajaccio Sentier des Douaniers: to Plage Saint Antoine
Walk 17 Porto Pollo–Cupabia circuit
The South
Walk 18 Zonza–Quenza circuit
Walk 19 Trou de la Bombe
Walk 20 Foce Finosa
Walk 21 Punta di a Vacca Morta
Walk 22 Piscia di Gallo waterfall
The Far South
Walk 23 Capu de Fenu
Walk 24 Strada Vecia Madonetta, Bonifacio
Walk 25 The white cliffs of Bonifacio
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Glossary of French and Corsican terms
Appendix C Useful contacts
Appendix D Accommodation
Appendix E Further reading
Waymarking and maps
Most paths on Corsica have clear waymarking: a regular succession of painted stripes and splashes on trees or prominent rocks, often with signposts and arrows and the name of a landmark ahead. In addition, paths in the Corse du Sud region have numbered poles along the way, handy reference points in emergencies. The Facebook page of the PNRC provides regular updates about path and bridge maintenance (www.facebook.com/ParcNaturelRegionalCorse).
A detailed contour map is an essential aid to any walk undertaken on Corsica. The relevant sheets from the blue Top 25 1:25,000 series published by France’s Institut Géographique National (IGN) are listed in walk headings. These maps are on sale all over Corsica in newsagents and even supermarkets, not to mention in outdoor and map shops overseas.
At a stretch, the IGN 1:100,000 series could be used. Just two maps cover the whole island. They show main walking routes and are handy for identifying mountain ranges and landmarks, including villages, although they won’t be much help for finding your way.
An excellent extra aid is the PeakFinder app.
Different types of waymarking on Corsica
Place names
Place names on the island come in both French and Corsican and there are disparities between maps and signposts. Villages are important landmarks; however, few have identifying signposts and often there isn’t anyone to ask. One unfailingly reliable system for finding out where you are is to locate the cenotaph, as each village sent its sons to the conflicts France was engaged in, and the village name is always shown on these monuments.
Dos and don’ts
Don’t underestimate Corsica. The terrain can be surprisingly rugged and walking on the island does not mean a stroll along the beach. Find time to get in decent shape before setting out on your holiday. You will appreciate the wonderful scenery more if you’re not overly tired, and you will react better should an emergency arise.
Don’t overload your rucksack. Too much weight can put you off balance on exposed ridges and during steep descents.
Don’t set out late even on a short walk. Always have extra time up your sleeve to allow for detours, wrong turns and time out.
Carry plenty of drinking water. You’ll nearly always get a refill in the villages as most have a public drinking fountain or tap. Natural watercourses abound; however, so does grazing livestock, so drinking from streams is not advisable unless you are equipped with a sterilising kit.
Keep to marked paths and avoid trespassing on private property.
Always close stock gates securely.
Be considerate when making a toilet stop and keep away from streams. Abandoned buildings or rock overhangs are also out – remember that they could serve as emergency shelter for someone! If you must use paper or tissues, carry it away; the small lightweight bags used by dog owners are perfect. There is absolutely no excuse for leaving unsightly toilet paper or tissues anywhere.
Carry all rubbish away with you. Even organic waste, such as apple cores, is best not left lying around as it can upset the diet of animals and birds and spoil things for other visitors.
Don’t forget adequate protection from the sun, which can be fierce when you’re out all day without shade, and don’t underestimate sunstroke.
Don’t rely on your mobile phone as there may not be any signal.
Please don’t pick any fruit or flowers.
Never proceed too far without checking for waymarking or signposts, as you may take a wrong turn onto one of the many hunter or boar trails.
Learn some French – it will undoubtedly be to your advantage. The Corsicans are already fluent in two languages and shouldn’t be expected to parler anglais as well. Appendix B is a glossary of terms commonly found on maps and signs.
Check weather forecasts (météo in French) before setting out and be prepared to adjust your plans accordingly: see www.meteo.fr and choose ‘Corse’ from the ‘Région’ menu.
Should you experience one of the island’s infamous violent summer storms, complete with torrential rain and lightning, keep well away from trees, rock overhangs, caves and metal fixtures; curl up on the ground; and get rid of metallic objects.
Take fire warnings seriously and be prepared to modify your walk route accordingly. There is always the risk of forest fires mid June to mid September and paths may be closed. Don’t put your life and that of rescuers at risk. Remember that lighting a fire out in the open is strictly forbidden in summer, although a total fire ban may be in force for a longer period. Warnings are posted on www.haute-corse.fr. If you are caught out by fire, take cover in a watercourse or on a safe high point where rescuers can spot you easily.
Take care – but not risks – and behave as a responsible walker, leaving nothing behind you but footprints.