Few Mediterranean islands pack such diverse landscapes into such a compact space as Corsica. On this self-guided journey, you’ll weave between sandy beaches, granite peaks, and historic coastal towns—all connected by a charming railway. You’ll explore three distinct regions over eight days: Calvi’s peninsula trails, Corte’s shepherd paths and mountain gorges, and Ajaccio’s coastal walks. The Trinichellu train links your bases, detailed route notes guide your daily adventures, and a hotel bed awaits at the end of each day. Your next great trail is always just a train ride away.
Looking for a different take on Corsica? Hit the ground running with this 8-day hiking and train adventure through the island's three most striking regions. You'll tackle empty coastal trails near Calvi, then hop the historic Trinichellu up to Corte where shepherd paths lead to stunning mountain gorges. Finally, your route winds down to Ajaccio, mixing coastal walks with fascinating old town exploration. Being self-guided means total freedom—follow your daily trail using detailed route notes, jump on the train between regions, and know local expertise is just a phone call away. Your hotels, breakfast, and train passes are all sorted. Come discover the Mountain in the Sea!
Welcome to Bastia! Take the opportunity to wander the lanes and alleys of the Bastia Citadel, relax with a coffee on Place Saint Nicolas, or explore the old harbor, famous for its restaurants and Mediterranean atmosphere.
Accommodation: Hotel A Storia, Bastia
After breakfast, you’ll take the train from Bastia, heading west through the stunning Balagne area. After a 3-hour train ride through olive and almond groves, hilltop villages, and dramatic landscapes, you’ll arrive in Calvi, a charming town with a sandy beach and a picturesque old port. In the afternoon, walk to Notre Dame de la Serra.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 6 km / 3.7 miles, 2 hours
Elevation: +225 m / +738 ft, -225 m / -738 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Les Arbousiers, Calvi
Today’s walk begins from the Citadel of Calvi, known as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Follow the coast to the Revellata peninsula, passing secluded beaches and ending at the lighthouse. You’ll return along a ridge path with sweeping views of the wild West Coast.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 11 km / 6.8 miles, 3.5 hours
Elevation: +170 m / +558 ft, -170 m / -558 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Les Arbousiers, Calvi
Today you’ll leave Calvi and take the 2-hour train to Corte, the former capital of Corsica nestled in the heart of the mountains. Here, you can discover the fascinating fortress and visit the Musée de la Corse, or simply enjoy the quaint streets of the old town.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 2 km / 1.2 miles, 1 hour
Elevation: +70 m / +230 ft, -70 m / -230 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Du Nord, Corte
After breakfast, you’ll begin your hike from Corte’s citadel to the stunning Tavignano Gorge. Hike along a shepherd’s trail, cross a bridge over the gorge, and enjoy a picnic by the crystal-clear waters. You’ll follow the same trail back to Corte in the afternoon, with magnificent valley views along the way.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 12 km / 7.5 miles, 3.5 hours
Elevation: +350 m / +1,148 ft, -350 m / -1,148 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Du Nord, Corte
Today you’ll take a 2-hour scenic train ride from Corte to Ajaccio, passing through beautiful landscapes. The train crosses the Vecchio Viaduct made by Gustave Eiffel before descending into the beautiful Gulf of Ajaccio. Once in Ajaccio, visit the Fesch Museum, Maison Bonaparte, or simply stroll through the city center.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 5 km / 3.1 miles, 2 hours
Elevation: +50 m / +164 ft, -50 m / -164 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Kalliste, Ajaccio
Your seventh day on Corsica brings two hiking options to choose from:
Option 1: Walk along Les Crêtes, a scenic trail above Ajaccio offering stunning views of the Mediterranean and a variety of island plants.
Option 2: Visit the Genoese tower of Parata, with panoramic views of the coastal landscape and the Iles Sanguinaires.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 10 km / 6.2 miles, 4 hours
Elevation: +450 m / +1,476 ft, -450 m / -1,476 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Kalliste, Ajaccio
After breakfast, your trip ends in Ajaccio. If you want, you can take a train back to Bastia or Calvi. À bientôt!
Meals: Breakfast
Great welcome, top organization! I highly recommend.
Included:
Add-ons
Not included:
*Please note that accommodations are subject to availability and it may not be possible to book the exact accommodations listed day-by-day in the itinerary (in case there is a detailed list).
This Corsica train & hiking tour requires a moderate level of fitness. You’ll walk from 2 to 4 hours per day for 6 consecutive days, covering 2 to 12 km (1.2 to 7.5 miles) with elevation gains of up to 450 m (1,476 ft).
The terrain varies from gentle coastal paths to steeper, rocky trails. While no extreme endurance is needed, you should be comfortable with multiple days of walking on uneven ground. If you’re active and used to hiking, you’ll enjoy this adventure!
For more hiking adventures in France, click here!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Clothing:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Hiking equipment:
Personal equipment:
A self-guided tour is an independent exploration without a formal guide leading the way. Instead of being part of a group with a tour leader, you will navigate the tour yourself, using resources provided by the operator. Your guide will provide a detailed route plan in a digital app. Your guide will also take care of other parts of the tour, such as phone support, accommodation, and transportation.
Group sizes and pricing
Hiking in Corsica can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Corsica train & hiking tour is Bastia. To get there, most people fly into Bastia-Poretta Airport (BIA). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Bastia.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits
You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
Everything was perfect. We toured Corsica without any problems and without any unpleasant surprises. They even helped us with something we forgot in a hotel that we recovered at the end of the trip. So thank you and see you soon.