A land of tranquility but also of wonder, the Corsican mountains conceal exceptional natural treasures.
All of its main massifs – Monte Cinto, Monte Rotondo, Monte Renoso and Monte Incudine – are protected by the Regional Natural Park of Corsica, which covers more than 50% of the total area of the Island of Beauty.
A wild territory where a unique biodiversity in the Mediterranean is found: the Corsican mouflon, the red deer, the bearded vulture or the nuthatch are at home here, evolving between forests of beech trees, laricio pines, high meadows and rocky ridges.
To discover
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To easily discover this grandiose but sometimes remote universe, it is best to set up your base camp around Corte, the pleasant "capital" of inland Corsica.
It will then be easy to radiate towards the different valleys of the surroundings, from Restonica to Tavignano and from Vecchio to Asco, without forgetting the little-known region of Niolo.
In addition, you can also take a detour through the verdant Castagniccia, where the chestnut tree is king.
Read alsoOur most beautiful guest rooms 2022 in the South-East and Corsica
Treat yourself to breathtaking panoramas
Above the village of Vivario, the silhouette of the
fort of Pasciolo
defying Monte Cardo composes a striking picture.
Jean Tiffon / Le Figaro
No need to be a great sportsman to enjoy the panoramas of the Corsica Center: just take its roads, which wind through the gorges and attack the mountains!
At the gates of Corte, going up
the Restonica valley
already provides great sensations: you reach the sheepfolds of Grutelle by following the river in the middle of an irresistible rocky setting.
Further south, the road that climbs to the
Vizzavona pass
offers spectacular views of the Vecchio gorges, spanned by an Eiffel viaduct.
Above the village of Vivario, the silhouette of the
fort of Pasciolo
defying Monte Cardo composes a striking picture.
To the north, on the Niolo road, the vertiginous
Scala di Santa Regina
unrolls landscapes shaped by the mineral, displaying an almost desert aspect.
Our advice:
the train journey between Corte and Vizzavona (allow a short hour's journey) also allows you to be amazed!
The round trip is possible during the day.
Information on the Corsica Railways website.
Hike in the heart of dazzling nature
In the
Restonica
, the path that climbs to the glacial lakes of Mélo and Capitello is a classic;
only downside, it is sometimes very busy in the heart of summer.
D. Salielli / OT Centru di Corsica
If the famous
GR 20
or the Mare a mare nord cross the region, it is not necessarily necessary to engage in these demanding hikes to enjoy the mountain and its wonders.
In the Restonica, the path that climbs to the glacial lakes of
Mélo
and
Capitello
is a classic;
only downside, it is sometimes very busy in the heart of summer.
A few kilometers away, the upper
valley of Tavignano
does not experience these problems: accessible only on foot, the area offers splendid hikes, like that of the
Arche de Corte
.
Further south, a wide track leads to the
Cascade des Anglais
crossing the forest of Vizzavona, shaded by beeches and laricio pines.
An Adventure Park conducive to the practice of tree climbing is hidden there.
In addition to hiking, the most athletic can also indulge in climbing on the heights of Capitello or the via ferrata in
the Asco valley
.
Warning:
the mountain is not without danger.
Before embarking on the trails, you must find out about the weather conditions and equip yourself correctly (walking shoes, warm clothes in case of bad weather, water and provisions, etc.).
Read alsoThree essential tips for preparing for your first hike
Bathe in the pure water of rivers and torrents
Whitewater swimming opportunities are endless in the area.
D. Salielli / OT Centru di Corsica
Whitewater swimming opportunities are endless in the area.
Water holes and basins fed by clear water follow one another along the course of the
Restonica
.
After the bath, a nap on a rock is a must!
Less frequented, the
Tavignano valley
also hides superb natural pools like that of Lavu di a Matra, where you can swim peacefully.
Further north, the
Asco valley
has everything from paradise for those who wish to cool off in a grandiose natural setting.
Our favorite spot?
The Genoese bridge located under the village of Asco, where kids have fun diving when the water level is high enough.
Further south, towards Vivario, the
Vecchio
lends itself well to canyoning: call on Canyon Corse to organize your aquatic hike.
Our advice:
it is strongly advised against swimming in the event of a storm.
The water level can then rise suddenly.
Taste local flavors and meet producers
The
A Chjusellina farm
produces Corsican veal, milk-fed lamb and charcuterie from nustrale pork.
Press picture
Your quest for gourmet products is likely to drag on in this territory where tradition is not an empty word.
As elsewhere in Corsica, you can follow the Route des Sens Authentiques to find the best local producers.
The
A Chjusellina farm
produces Corsican veal, milk-fed lamb and charcuterie from nustrale pork.
At the table of his inn, you can taste terrine with
figatellu
, cheese donuts, stuffed with vegetables and sautéed veal.
In Venaco,
Mathieu Guglielmi
prepares exceptional raw milk sheep's cheeses.
Land of transhumance, the
Niolo valley
welcomes many shepherds like the Albertini family, in Albertacce.
You absolutely have to taste their
casgiu niulincu
!
It is less known but the Corsica Center also has a remarkable vineyard, the Vico estate.
Produced in the three colors, its wines show character thanks to original climatic conditions – altitude, thermal amplitude – and specific soils.
For gourmands:
there is no shortage of sweets either.
At Soveria, you can enjoy chocolates and sweets from Alexia Santini, while at Piedigrigio, you can sample crunchy biscuits from Anne Marchetti.
Discover the secrets of Corte, former capital of the Corsican Republic
We happily walk along Corte, admiring the discreet
Sainte-Croix chapel
on the way before reaching the citadel.
Jean Tiffon / Le Figaro
Dominated by a rock on which a citadel was erected in 1419, Corte enjoys a special place in the Corsican imagination.
Indeed, it is in this city that Pascal Paoli installed his capital during the brief independence of the island, between 1755 and 1769. The
Palazzu Nazionale
thus housed his government, while hosting the first university of Corsica.
You have to take the time to stroll through the pretty streets of the town, lined with tall stone houses topped with slate roofs.
We walk happily from place to place, admiring the discreet Sainte-Croix chapel on the way before reaching the
citadel .
.
Built by a Corsican lord allied with the Aragonese, it was then remodeled by the Genoese and the French.
This eagle's nest now houses the Museum of Corsica, which presents an interesting ethnographic background on the island and its traditions as well as ambitious temporary exhibitions.
After Matisse in 2021, make way for island architecture in 2022!
Guided tour:
for those who wish to deepen their discovery of Corte, the tourist office organizes interesting thematic tours of the city.
Information on 04 95 46 26 70.
Practical notebook
GO
Air France, Air Corsica, Transavia, Volotea and Easyjet serve Bastia – the most easily accessible airport from Corte – departing from Paris and many provincial airports.
Corsica Ferries and Corsica Linea offer boat crossings between the continent and Bastia departing from Marseille, Toulon or Nice.
OR SLEEP ?
An elegant 19th century residence nestled in the heart of the forest, this four-star hotel emphasizes Corsican culture and its traditions.
Press picture
Hotel U Castellu
An elegant 19th century residence nestled in the heart of the forest, this four-star hotel which emphasizes Corsican culture and its traditions promises a refreshing break in the heat of summer.
The trails are countless in its surroundings, and the train station is only a 10-minute walk away.
Rooms from €120.
Hotel U Castellu, Vizzavona, 20219 Vivario.
Such.
: 04 95 30 53 00.
Dominique Colonna
A charming hotel set in the heart of nature, the establishment has some nice surprises in store with its contemporary-style rooms, its languid terrace on the banks of the Restonica and its swimming pool.
Rooms from €140.
Hotel Dominique Colonna, locality Restonica, 20250 Corte.
Such.
: 04 95 45 25 65.
Sega Haven
Guarded from the end of May to mid-October,
the Sega refuge
is ideal for enjoying a night in the mountains.
With a capacity of 36 places and simple dormitories of eight places, no blankets, but meals can be served in the evening.
Reservations well in advance on: pnr-resa.corsica.
Tavignano Valley.
Such.
: 09 71 72 36 80.
GOOD DINING
A classic from Corte,
U Campanile
relies on good traditional Corsican cuisine, as tasty as it is generous.
Count around 25 € for a meal.
2 rue de l'Eglise, 20250 Corte.
Such.
: 06 25 78 12 49.
La Rivière des Vins
delights the bon vivants with its island cold cuts and local meats cooked over a wood fire.
Count around 25 € for a meal.
5 ramp Sainte-Croix, 20250 Corte.
Such.
: 04 95 46 37 04.
A few minutes from the center of Corte,
L'Ostaria di l'Orta
has, in addition to its guest rooms, a good restaurant where local products and garden vegetables are in the spotlight.
Try to leave with one of the delicious preserves of the house.
2 av.
du Pont de l'Orta, 20250 Corte.
Such.
: 04 95 61 06 41.
SWEETS
The
Casanova pastry
shop has been delighting Cortenais and passing sweet tooths since 1887. It is renowned for its
falculella
– a variant of fiadone prepared with brocciu, egg yolk and sugar – or for its chestnut fondants.
4 Cours Paoli, 20250 Corte.
Such.
: 04 95 46 32 49.
Maison Alexia Santini – New Year's Eve Confectionery
, 20250 Soveria.
Tel: 04 95 47 42 27.
LOCAL PRODUCTS
The A Robba Paisana
grocery store brings
together several producers from the region and operates in a short circuit.
7 BC
of the Republic, 20250 Corte.
Such.
: 06 79 55 53 06.
Particularly photogenic with its shelves overflowing with food and its meats hanging from the ceiling, L'
Épicerie Ghionga
can be visited almost like a museum!
It would have existed for more than two centuries.
9, rue du Vieux-Marché, 20250 Corte.
Such.
: 04 95 58 70 86.
Andatu
has a very good choice of local products from various local artisans.
Impasse du Cours, 20250 Corte.
Such.
: 04 95 46 11 98.
HAVE TO DO
Museum of Corsica, rue de la Citadelle, 20250 Corte.
Such.
: 04 95 45 25 45.
The Couleurs Corse agency programs various stays dedicated to hiking, accompanied or assisted, in all the massifs and on the GR 20.
ASK ABOUT
Corte Tourist Office:
corte-tourisme.com
Corsica Tourist Office:
visit-corsica.com