Are you looking for the very best things to do in Calanques de Piana in Corsica? Then you’ve come to the right place!
Exploring the Calanques de Piana was one of the highlights of my trip cause it’s truly one of the most beautiful places in Corsica.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its spectacular red rock formations plunging into the Mediterranean Sea.
In this article I’ll tell you all about the best things to do in the Calanque de Piana region, where to eat and the best places to stay to explore the area.
So without further ado here is the ultimate travel guide to the Calanques de Piana in Corsica.
The 8 Very Best Things To Do In Calanques De Piana In Corsica
From the emerald blue Mediterranean Sea to the jagged, rocky cliffs, the Calanques de Piana in Corsica is an absolute must-see for any traveler. It’s the perfect spot for a short getaway, a romantic evening, or a daytrip full of adventure.
Whether you prefer a leisurely stroll or a more challenging climb, this area of the Mediterranean has something to capture everyone’s attention.
With this article, you’ll get the inside scoop on the very best things to do in Calanques de Piana in Corsica.
From exploring breathtaking beach coves to taking a boat tour, we’ll cover what you need to know to get the most out of your time here. So, grab your hiking boots and camera and let’s explore some of the most amazing spots in the Mediterranean!
How to reach the Calanques de Piana
The Calanques de Piana are located south of the small village Piana in the west of Corsica, between the towns of Calvi and Ajaccio. To reach them simply follow the road that follows the coast south-west of Porto towards Piana.
Average driving distance to Calanques de Piana
- From Calvi: 83.2km (51.6 miles) via D81 which is about 2 hours driving
- From Ajaccio: 70,2 km (43.62 miles) via D81 which is about 1.5 hours driving
- From Bonifacio: 192,1 km (119.4 miles) via D81 en T40 which is about 3 hours and 50 minutes driving
- From Bastia: 143,6 km (89.2 miles) via D84 which is about to 3 hours and 13 minutes driving
The road leading through the red rocks of Calanques de Piana is rather narrow and during high season this can definitely lead to slow traffic.
💡 TIP – If you want to photograph along this narrow street then the best time to do so is either during sunrise or sunset.
The best time to visit Calanques de Piana
The best months to visit Corsica are May, June and September. During these months the weather is already nice and warm but France and Italy’s summer-holiday crowds are absent. You’ll be able to enjoy all of the activities the island has to offer and hotel prices won’t skyrocket through the roof yet. Especially if you love to go hiking these are the ideal months.
If it’s not possible for you to travel off season then July and August are beautiful months to visit Corsica as well. Just know that temperatures will a lot hotter and you’ll have to deal with the big crowds. If this is the case it’s best to book your accommodation well in advance to avoid steep price increases and the best hotels getting sold out.
I visited in April and while I still had an amazing time it’s really not ideal. The season hasn’t started yet so a lot of hotels and restaurants are still closed. The weather can also be very unpredictable and you’ll have to deal with a lot of rain on certain days. I even drove through a snowstorm so I wouldn’t advice you to go in April for the best experience.
Top things to do at Calanques de Piana
1. Hike the Capo Rosso Trail – The most beautiful hike in the Gulf of Porto
The Capo Rosso hiking trail is one of the best and most beautiful hikes in Corsica and one of my personal favorites!
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!
Hiking Distance – 6.9km
Elevation – 457m
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
2. Source des Roches Bleues and Calanche di Piana Hike – One of the best things to do in West Corsica
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.
Hiking Distance – 4.3km
Elevation – 343m
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
3. Girolata via Sentier du Facteur Hike – One of the best hikes in Corsica
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.
Hiking Distance – 9.7km
Elevation – 555m
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
4. Visit Scandola Nature Reserve – One of the best things to do near Calanques de Piana
The Scandola Natural Reserve (created 1975) is a World Heritage Site to the south-west of Calvi, on the Cape Girolata peninsula. The reserve covers approximately 900 hectares of land and 1000 hectares of sea, and is an exceptional sight.
Important to know is that there’s only one way to explore the Scandola Nature Reserve and that is by boat. You’re not allowed to drive through it and it’s also strictly forbidden to hike here.
The best way to visit Scandola Nature Reserve is to book a guided tour that visits both Scandola Nature Reserve and Calanques de Piana.
Porto: Scandola and Calanches of Piana Boat Trip
Explore the wonders of the Gulf of Porto on board a motor boat. Sail to the Scandola Nature Reserve and see the famous creeks of Calanche de Piana.
The meeting point is on the dock in front of La Calypso Hotel on the right bank of Porto’s bay. You can look for “Porto Marine Evasion” signage.
5. Explore the village of Piana
Piana is a beautiful village set in and overlooking the fabulous Calanques de Piana, one of the most beautiful parts of Corsica. I’ll do you one vene better, Piana is even listed as one of the most beautiful villages in entire France. And since it’s pretty small it’s definitely worth the visit!
Its main attraction is the baroque church and the surrounding mountains! But I wouldn’t necessarily take this town as your base for exploring this wonderful region. Then you’re far better off choosing the small harbor town of Porto. But while driving there you’ll pass through the village of Piana, which is definitely worth the stop!
6. Wander through Porto, the best town to discover the Calanques de Piana
Porto is a small coastal town right in the middle of the most beautiful part in Corsica. While the town itself doesn’t offer that much to see it does have some great restaurants, is the main starting point for all of the boat excursions to the Scandola Nature reserve and the perfect starting point to enjoy a ton of exciting activities!
7. Visit the charming town of Ota
Ota is a small village surrounded by two chains of mountains and is just a short distance inland from the coastal town of Porto.
The main draw to Ota is its ideal position to explore the Spelunca Gorge. Here you can hike to the wonderful old stone bridge of Zaglia or continue your hike all the way to another stunning town called Evisa.
8. Visit the Zaglia Bridge by hiking the Spelunca Gorge
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!
Below you’ll find the details of the short hike that I did myself.
Hiking Distance – 7.4km
Elevation – 284m
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
Where to stay when visiting Calanques de Piana
Stay at a charming 2 bedroom apartment that offers incredible panoramic views. Start the day on your private terrace
Where to eat when visiting the Calanques de Piana
- Piana – Enjoy lunch at Les Roches Bleues or have dinner at the restaurant of Hotel Les Roches Rouges, both offering incredible panoramic vista’s.
- Ota – Grab lunch at BAR HUNTERS – CHEZ MARIE in Ota
- Porto – Have dinner at Le Moulin in Porto and take their home made burger which comes with an incredible Corsican cheese sauce. Another day you should go eat at Le Maquis and order the Escaloppe Milanese! Both finger licking delicious!
- Girolata – Have lunch at Restaurant Le Bon Espoir and try some of the best Corsican food you’ll have during your holiday!
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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