Corsica doesn’t just invite you in—it pulls you under its spell. Where else can you hike through rugged gorges in the morning and swim in the Mediterranean by evening? Split between the mountain town of Corte and the coastal charm of Calvi, this self-guided journey links two worlds by a train ride that’s worth the trip alone. You’ll discover ancient citadels, pause in hidden coves, and follow trails winding through aromatic maquis. With welcoming hotels and local support on call, you can wander and take your time. Whatever pace you set, this island keeps up. Or slows down.
Discover Corsica's two sides on these 7-day self-guided walking holidays! Begin in historic Corte, hiking through two dramatic gorges and swimming in natural pools. Then, take a scenic train journey to Calvi for coastal trails, lighthouse views, and hidden coves. Detailed route maps and local phone support let you explore at your own pace, while comfortable 3-star hotels welcome your tired legs each evening. Bring your hiking boots and focus on the path ahead—L'Île de Beauté is waiting!
Your holiday begins in Corte, a brooding university town at the foot of high mountains. You can catch a train or transfer to Corte from Bastia, Calvi, or Ajaccio. Settle into your hotel in the afternoon and maybe explore the town.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Corte
Today you’ll visit one of the most unspoiled sites in Corsica. Depart from the town center to reach the little chapel of Saint-Antoine. The path climbs up to reach the foot of the Punta di U Corbu. You’ll enjoy a magnificent view at a small pass before joining the Restonica Gorge and beginning the descent through the pines. The return journey is by road, along the river.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 9 km (5.6 mi), 4 hours
Elevation: +500 m (+1,640 ft)
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Corte
After breakfast, make your way to the citadel of Corte for the start of a stunning day’s walk along the Tavignano Gorge. The walk takes you into the Tavignano Gorge, a shepherds’ route to the hills. Walking through a variety of landscapes, your destination today is the river near a bridge over the Tavignano, under which you can swim in the beautiful clear waters and enjoy your picnic. Return to Corte via the same route, with beautiful views down the valley.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 12 km (7.5 mi), 4 hours
Elevation: +450 m (+1,475 ft), -450 m (-1,475 ft)
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Corte
You can take the train in the morning or enjoy some more time in Corte—the choice is yours! The train will cross some fantastic scenery before reaching Calvi, your home for the second half of your holiday. Calvi is a charming small town with a lively center during the summer. Explore the Genoese citadel and a small port bordered with bars and restaurants, relax on Calvi’s beach, swim in the sea, or just chill by the hotel pool.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Calvi
After breakfast, you will begin your walk from the citadel and the monument to Christopher Columbus (who was apparently born in Calvi!). Your walk will take you south along the coast and onto a peninsula. You can take a dip in the various secluded little beaches on the peninsula before reaching the lighthouse called the Revellata. From here, return to Calvi along a path on the top of the peninsula.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 14 km (8.7 mi), 3.5 hours
Elevation: +430 m (+1,410 ft), -430 m (-1,410 ft)
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Calvi
Today, you will leave the coast and head inland among the Corsican scrub (or maquis) until you reach the chapel of the Notre Dame de la Serra. From here, the view back toward the Gulf of Calvi, the citadel, and the Revellata is superb. From here, you can return back to Calvi. If you have more experience and stamina, you can continue on the path that takes you further up to the Capu di A Veta mountain peak.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 5 km (3.1 mi), 2-4 hours
Elevation: +180 m (+590 ft), -180 m (-590 ft)
Capu di A Veta hike: 10.8 km (6.7 mi), 5 hours,
Caou di A Veta elevation: +675 m (+2,215 ft), -665 m (-2,180 ft)
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Calvi
Your holiday comes to an end after breakfast. Safe travels!
Meals: Breakfast
Great welcome, top organization! I highly recommend.
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.
Included:
Add-ons:
Not included:
These Corsica walking holidays require good fitness levels and experience walking in the mountains. You’ll walk from 3 to 5 hours per day for multiple consecutive days, covering 5 to 14 km (3.1 to 8.7 miles) with 180-500 m (590-1,640 ft) elevation gain.
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!
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Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
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.
You’ll be traveling light throughout the trip. There’s only one hotel change, on Day 4, when you transfer from Corte to Calvi by train, and your luggage is taken care of for you.
On these Corsica walking holidays, you only need to carry a small daypack with your personal items each day—everything else is transferred ahead, so you can focus on the walking and enjoy the journey without the extra weight.
Self-guided tours are perfect for those who enjoy exploring on their own terms—at their own pace, and with the company they choose. By joining this self-guided Corsica walking holidays, we take care of:
Rather than joining a guided group, you’ll navigate the tour yourself, using resources provided by the tour operator. For a hassle-free journey with everything arranged for you in advance, there’s no better option!
As a self-guided tour is built around your preferred travel dates, your guide will take care of arranging accommodations and details after you book. Note that exact accommodations and dates might shift slightly, so don’t make any travel arrangements until the details of your adventure are confirmed.
Group sizes and pricing
Walking holidays 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 walking holidays is Corte. 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 insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors 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.
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
Great welcome, top organization! I highly recommend.