Are you looking for the best hikes in Corsica for your upcoming holiday? Despite that many people think Corsica is the perfect place for a beach holiday, Corsica actually is a true hikers paradise. One of the most famous hiking trails in the world even runs through it: the GR20.
Now since the GR20 is a 200km multi day hike that takes you all the way from the North to the South of the country or vice versa I won’t be covering it in this article. Here I focus on the most beautiful day hikes that you can do in Corsica. Cause not all of us want to spend their holiday only hiking.
These hiking trails in Corsica are perfect for a day or half a day of adventuring!
Every single hiking trail in this list is one that I’ve experienced myself and all of these hikes can be done in just one day and don’t require any additional equipment except for good and sturdy hiking shoes!
The Best Hikes In Corsica, Incredible Hiking Trails You Can’t Miss
🗓 When is the best time to go hiking in Corsica
The high season in Corsica runs in July and August and while the weather during these months might be perfect for laying on the beach all day it’s definitely not ideal to go hiking. The sun can be pretty brutal and temperatures can rise up to 37°C.
A much better option if you really want to enjoy hiking in Corsica is to go at the end of April, May, June or September. The weather will be less hot and there will also be a lot less 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 will be less scorching!
For my own experience: I went during the first week of April and didn’t encounter the best weather. Truth be told, the weather in entire Europe was a mess that week so I might have just been unlucky. But in April there usually is a 50% chance of rain and if the weather isn’t too good a lot of restaurants don’t open yet for the season. However, the good days were pretty perfect for hiking and a lot of times I was the only one out on the hiking trail which made the experience that much more special!
Essential tips for hiking in Corsica
- Wear sturdy hiking shoes, preferably mountain trail shoes. A lot of the trails can be rocky and uneven and you don’t want to loose your balance.
- Wear layers: especially if you’re going more off season it can still be cold in the morning.
- Make sure to arrive early at the most popular hiking trails to ensure you have the best experience.
- Bring a small first aid kit with you. You can always hurt yourself during a hike and it’s important that you’re able to disinfect wounds as fast as possible.
- Almost all of the hiking trails are well marked but make sure to plan your route on maps.me or alltrails as well
- Apply sunscreen – A lot of the hikes are pretty exposed so make sure you protect yourself from the scorching sun.
- Bring enough water – Even that most of these hikes aren’t very physically challenging you still need to bring plenty of water with you on the trail due to the hot temperatures.
Best Hiking Trails in Corsica
1. Bonifacio Coastal Hike to the Lighthouse
Hiking Distance – 8km (4.9 miles)
Elevation – 140m (459 feet)
Route Type – Out & Back
Duration – 2,5 hours
Level – Easy. There are no steep inclines or any dangerous parts on this hiking trail near Bonifacio. You just have to watch out during those very windy days like I said before :). But this is an ideal walk to also do with small kids.
Parking Lot – There are a couple of parking lots in Bonifacio and you’ll be able to choose if you park more below near the marina or already drive a little more upward towards the city.
Best time to visit – On a clear day I highly recommend completing this hike in the eveing so you can admire the sunset over Bonifacio.
Season – April until the end of September
This stunning coastal hike in Corsica that starts in Bonifacio is one of my favorite ones and is also known as the Sentier de Campu Rumanilu & Pertusatu. Here you get to admire the most amazing views for just a small effort.
The start of the hiking trail can be seen from the bastion in Bonifacio and from here you can see it curving on top of the cliffs.
There are a bunch of hiking trails near Bonifacio but this one definitely offers the most spectacular views over the cliffs and the town itself.
You can choose to walk all the way to the Lighthouse at the end of the trail or turn back a little earlier like I did. To be honest there was a ton of wind the day that I ventured on this hiking trail. So much so that my new hat flew away after only 5 meters into the trail.
Along the trail you’ll find several small paths that will take you closer to the edge of the cliffs but nothing too dangerous. You just have to watch out during those extremely windy days 🙂
🏨 WHERE TO STAY – Hotel Spa Genovese for an unforgettable stay, a clifftop location and panoramic views.
2. Cascades de Purcaraccia Hiking Trail
Hiking Distance – 4.8km (2.9 miles)
Elevation – 354m (1161 feet)
Route Type – Out & Back
Duration – 2,5 hours
Level – Hard. You will definitely need to wear sturdy hiking shoes cause you’ll be doing a lot of clambering over rocks and the trail isn’t marked at all. There are a lot of small side sections where you can wander off and without a decent offline map it’s very hard to find the correct directions.
Parking Lot – Bocca di Larone
Best time to visit – Start your hike in the early morning. I was there during off season in April and while I was the only one there I have heard that this hiking trail can get very busy during the summer months!
Season – April until the end of September
The Cascades de Purcaraccia hiking trail is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Corsica but it’s not the easiest. The trail isn’t marked at all and it’s very easy to miss a turn off at the end.
The biggest advice I can give you is to follow the trail on the AllTrails app, combined with Maps.me. Make sure to download the map of Corsica before you set off on your adventure!
The trail pretty much starts on the side of the road, in the hairpin bend that follows the Col de Larone. There’s a very small turn off where you can park your car but make sure to arrive early cause it only has space for like 3 cars. Otherwise you’ll have to park your car at the Parking Bocca di Larone which is only 2 minutes walking from the start of the hiking trail.
The first part of the Cascades de Purcaraccia hiking trail goes through a small forest and offers incredible views over the Aiguilles de Bavella.
Afterwards the trail leads more inwards into a gorge where you’ll have to do a lot of scrambling over rocks and also cross the river at some point so keep an eye on that offline map or you’ll end up at a dead end.
But the final destination is definitely worth the struggle and in the summer months you can even swim here!
🏨 WHERE TO STAY – Stay at Grand Hôtel De Cala Rossa & Spa Nucca to fully relax after an adventurous day.
3. Capo Rosso Hiking trail – The most beautiful hiking trail in Corsica
Hiking Distance – 6.9km (4.2 miles)
Elevation – 457m (1499 feet)
Route Type – Loop
Duration – 3 hours
Level – Moderate. The Capo Rosso hiking trail is very well marked but does involve a lot of inclination in both directions.
Parking Lot – Départ randonnée Capo Rosso
Best time to visit – The best time would be to start your hike in the late evening so you can admire the sunset from the Genoese tower. If you plan on doing so make sure to bring a headlamp with you if it gets too dark on your way back to your car.
Season – April until the end of September
The Capo Rosso hiking trail is one of the best and most beautiful hikes in Corsica and one of my personal favorites!
The region around the Calanques de Piana is absolutely wonderful to go hiking and one of the most beautiful places to visit in entire Corsica.
The Capo Rosso hiking trail starts close to Piana, a small town chosen among the most beautiful villages in France. Pretty much the entire hiking trail is exposed so make sure to bring sunscreen and plenty of water with you!
The hike passes by the Genoese tower of Turghiu, one of the tallest towers on the Corsican coast, whose summit offers stunning views of the Gulf of Porto, the Gulf of Sagone and the Scandola Reserve.
The Capo Rosso hike is very well marked and while online I saw several people complain about the track being very steep and dangerous I really didn’t feel this way and I have already done a ton of hikes in the past. The path is easy to follow, just the last few meters up include some scrambling but simply orientate yourself towards the Genoese tower and you’re good to go!
At one point the trail splits into two sections, one isn’t more difficult than the other. The longer trail just takes you alongside the cliffs and offers some different viewpoints!
🏨 WHERE TO STAY – Stay at Le Bella Vista for a 2 bedroom apartment that offers incredible panoramic views.
4. Source des Roches Bleues and Calanchi di Piana Hike
Hiking Distance – 4.3km (2.6 miles)
Elevation – 343m (1125 feet)
Route Type – Loop
Duration – 2 hours
Level – Easy. The trail is well marked and can also be done with children.
Parking Lot – Stade Municipal de Piana
Best time to visit – Start in the morning to see the sun hit the red rock formations.
Season – April until the end of September
Another fun hike in Corsica that starts close to Piana is the Source des Roches Bleues and Calanchi di Piana hiking trail. This hike will take you up through the forest and offers some stunning views over the surroundeing area.
At one point you end up back on the road in the middle of the Calanque de Piana and while there is another hiking trail I did prefer walking alongside the road to admire all of these rock formations and take tons of photos!
The route crosses the Dardo stream and offers a magnificent view of the Calanques de Piana.
🏨 WHERE TO STAY – Stay at Le Bella Vista for a 2 bedroom apartment that offers incredible panoramic views.
5. Girolata via Sentier du Facteur Hike – One of the best hikes in Corsica
Hiking Distance – 9.7km (6.0 miles)
Elevation – 555m (1820 feet)
Route Type – Loop
Duration – 3.5 hours
Level – Easy. The trail is well marked and can also be done with children.
Parking Lot – 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 make your way to Girolata, have lunch at one of the restaurants and then return back to the parking lot.
Season – April until the end of September
The Girolata via Sentier du Facteur Hike is one of the best hikes in Corsica and one that should definitely be on your list!
The small town of Girolata is a true hidden gem and one of the most beautiful towns in Corsica and can only be reached in two ways: on foot or by boat.
The hike starts at the Col du Croix where you can park your car and the first part simply goes down through a forest until you reach the Plage de Tuara, a beautiful beach where you won’t find many other people.
Afterwards the trail splits up and you can choose to either walk the Sentier du Facteur (my personal recommendation) or follow a part of the Mare et Monti trail.
The Sentier du Facteur is called this way because the local mailman used to hike this trail every single day to deliver the mail to the people living in the small town of Girolata.
🏨 WHERE TO STAY – Stay at Le Bella Vista for a 2 bedroom apartment that offers incredible panoramic views.
6. Spelunca Gorge Hike near Ota
Hiking Distance – 7.4km (4.6 miles)
Elevation – 284m (931 feet)
Route Type – Out & Back
Duration – 2.5 hours
Level – Easy. The trail is well marked and can also be done with children.
Parking Lot – Gorges de la Spelunca
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 make your way to Evisa, have lunch at one of the restaurants and then return back to the parking lot.
Season – April until the end of September
The Spelunca Gorge is one of the most beautiful places in entire Corsica and there are several hiking options here! You can choose to hike from Ota to the beautiful town of Evisa or you can choose to walk towards the Zaglia bridge, a beautiful stone bridge listed as a Historic Monument.
During my visit the trail towards Evisa was unfortunately closed due to a lot of rockfall but know that Evisa is considered to be one of the most beautiful towns in Corsica! So if you can get the chance to complete the entire trail definitely don’t hesitate!
🏨 WHERE TO STAY – Stay at Le Bella Vista for a 2 bedroom apartment that offers incredible panoramic views.
Map of the best hikes in Corsica
🗺️ How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need in Corsica?
The ideal duration for a visit to Corsica largely depends on your interests and itinerary. For a comprehensive experience, covering key attractions and some relaxation, 7 to 10 days is recommended. However, if you’re short on time, a 4 to 5-day trip can offer a glimpse of the island’s highlights. To help you plan take a look at my Corsica itinerary.
Do I need a car to get around Corsica?
Yes, renting a car in Corsica is highly recommended. While public transportation exists, it’s limited and may not access all the picturesque spots and hidden gems of the island. Having a car offers flexibility, convenience, and the opportunity to explore Corsica at your own pace. 🚗 Rent a car in Corsica by using SunnyCars.
What do you think are the best hikes in Corsica? Let me know in the comment section below, and feel free to write in if you have any questions about which ones you should do.
📚 More Corsica Articles
- Tips For Renting A Car And Driving In Corsica
- The Very Best Corsica Itinerary – A 7 Day Road Trip
- The 8 Very Best Things To Do In Calanques De Piana In Corsica
- The 11 Best Luxury Boutique Hotels In Corsica
- The 14 Most Beautiful Places In Corsica
- The 6 Best Hikes In Corsica, Incredible Hiking Trails You Can’t Miss
- The 21 Most Beautiful Towns And Villages To Visit In Corsica
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Charlotte Lint is the founder of Charlies Wanderings.
Charlotte has traveled all over the world and is based in Belgium where she also owns her very own dental practice.
She is an expert on writing efficient travel guides and finding unique places to stay.
Every month she helps over 134.000 people discover the most beautiful places in the world through her detailed travel guides.
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