5 Ways To Enjoy Hiking in Corsica: From the GR20 to Practical Tips

It was spiritual author Mary Davis who remarked: “To walk into nature is to witness a thousand miracles.” This is particularly true of hiking in Corsica, the spectacular French island hovering in the Mediterranean Sea off the west coast of Italy. Put simply, it’s heavenly for hikers, who can immerse themselves in dramatic mountainscapes and verdant valleys, discover glittering bays and crashing waterfalls, or stroll through lush forests to remote hilltop villages untouched by the passage of time.

Corsica is an adventure playground for walkers looking to spend time reconnecting with untamed nature. Notorious for its gruelling GR20 hiking route, the island also has opportunities aplenty for walkers of all abilities, from challenging to gentle wilderness meanders with the kids. Read on for five ways to experience hiking in Corsica.

The legendary Corsica trail GR20 is rightly regarded as one of Europe’s toughest – and also most spectacular – hikes, taking about two weeks to cover its 180 km. The hiking route traverses Corsica from north to south, and with around 12,000 m of ascent, it is not to be undertaken by novice hikers. Its Corsican name is “fra li monti”, which translates as “across the mountains”, and indeed it does just that.

Starting at Calenzana in the island’s north-west and ending at Conca in the south-east, the route follows Corsica’s rocky spinal ridge across rivers and through forest to Bonifato, where you have incomparable panoramas over the Haute-Balagne and its fortified villages. The highest point on the hike is Monte Cinto at an altitude of 2,710 m, before you tackle wind-sculpted peaks entwined with alpine valleys dotted with glacial lakes and scale the impressive Monte Incudine. In the southern Massif de Bavella, stunning geographical highlights include the Trou de la Bombe, a vast windblown hole eroded from granite, and the breathtaking Brèche de Capitellu pass, strewn with spiky rock formations.

Not everyone has two weeks to spare for conquering the GR20, but thankfully there are many wonderfully scenic mid-distance alternatives as well as short, family-friendly coastal strolls on the island, ensuring that all levels of fitness and ability can enjoy hiking trails in Corsica. The pathways are all clearly indicated by red-and-white, orange or purple markers, but if you’re not sure about setting off on Corsica walking holidays independently, there are guided hikes available.

The Mare è Monti ("Sea and Mountains") trails offer two unforgettable hiking experiences through the heart of Corsica’s rugged landscape. Winding from the granite peaks of the Corsica Regional Nature Park down to the shimmering Mediterranean coast, these trails reveal a stunning contrast of alpine forests, deep river gorges, fragrant shrubland and dramatic sea views. The northern route stretches between Calenzana and Cargèse, passing remote villages and wild ridgelines, while the southern path leads from Porticcio to Propriano, weaving through lush valleys and sunlit plateaus.

• Trail lengths: Mare è Monti Nord 122 km (8-10 days); Mare è Monti Sud 74 km (4-5 days)
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, with steep ascents and descents
• Suitable for: Experienced hikers; fit beginners

The three options on this breathtaking "Sea to Sea" trail criss-cross the heart of the island. Well-marked footpaths guide you through chestnut forests, over cascading rivers and past traditional hilltop villages, with sweeping views of limestone cliffs and fertile valleys. Along the way, you'll find welcoming gîtes, rustic accommodation offering hearty local meals and warm hospitality (booking in advance is essential). Food and water are readily available at all pitstops. If you’re visiting in winter, the Mare à Mare Sud is one of the few long-distance footpaths that stays open, making it a rare winter hiking option in Corsica.

• Trail lengths: Mare à Mare Nord 140 km (10-12 days); Mare à Mare Centre 88 km (7-9 days); Mare à Mare Sud 80 km (5-6 days)
• Difficulty: Moderate, with some challenging segments in mountainous areas
• Suitable for: Fit beginners; families with older children

This 1,000-year-old track has been used by shepherds for centuries during the seasonal movement of livestock – la transhumance – and is an invitation to witness the island’s heritage. The trail begins in the coastal village of Calenzana, ascending into the remote highlands and forests of Sambucu, before reaching the serene hamlet of Corscia in Haute-Corse. Along the way, you'll traverse oak woodlands, rocky ridgelines and verdant valleys dotted with centuries-old sheepfolds and dramatic gorges.

• Trail length: 75 km (4-5 days)
• Difficulty: Moderate, with some steep and uneven terrain
• Suitable for: Experienced hikers interested in historical routes

This scenic coastal trail in northern Corsica offers a gentler hiking experience ideal for families and casual walkers. It once served as a patrol route for customs officers guarding against smugglers, and now invites hikers to explore Cap Corse’s wild beauty at a relaxed pace. Stretching from the harbour town of Macinaggio to the charming village of Centuri, the trail hugs the shoreline, weaving past wind-bent scrubland, quiet coves, Genoese watchtowers and panoramic headlands. With minimal elevation change, access to sandy beaches and the option of doing shorter segments, it's perfect for soaking in Corsica’s coastal charm.

• Trail length: 26 km (1-2 days)
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Suitable for: Families; casual hikers

Dubbed the “island of wild beauty”, Corsica certainly lives up to its hype. What can you expect to see when hiking in Corsica? Jagged peaks, crystal-clear rivers, hidden lakes and panoramic viewpoints in the Corsica Regional Nature Park, for starters. The island is a birdwatcher’s paradise, so carry binoculars to watch for soaring red kites, bearded vultures, ospreys and golden eagles – all fairly regular sightings. Hikers can also often hear wild boar ferreting in the undergrowth, or see mouflon sheep bounding up steep mountainsides and wild donkeys grazing in the foothills.

As for flora, the lowlands are covered in maquis (a fragrant scrub of olive, chestnut and pine trees blended with myrtle and wild strawberries) in late spring, with wild flowers such as orchids and crocuses carpeting the meadows and valleys until mid-summer.

Corsica’s present is intertwined with its past thanks to the ancient Greeks, Romans, Italians and French. All have left their calling cards on the landscape, such as the Greco-Roman remains at Aléria and the Genoese watchtowers along the eastern coastline. Whichever Corsican hiking route you choose, you’ll meet people speaking Corsican, regarded as a French dialect but having much in common with Italian, discover delightfully remote villages and sample hearty local gastronomy. And of course, you’re re-enacting the journey of long-gone shepherds on the Sentier de la Transhumance.

Corsica may be one of Europe’s favourite destinations for hiking but nothing is without its risks. The GR20 has claimed several lives, so you must always be prepared physically and take certain specific precautions.

• The prime times temperature-wise for hiking in Corsica are May, early June and September, months when the weather is warm enough to swim in the sea but cool enough for energetic walking.
• If you’d like to see Corsica’s lowland maquis and wild flowers in blossom, May and June are the months for you.
• If you’re planning on hiking the GR20, late June and early September are the optimum times for the two-week expedition.
  

• Hiking in Corsica is known for rugged, rocky paths; a sturdy pair of walking boots is essential. Hiking poles, waterproof layers and a basic first-aid kit are also key.
• Fire risk is significant in summer, so never light barbecues and check before you set out that your chosen trail is open for hiking.
• Conditions in the mountains can change rapidly, and the cardinal rule is to always, always check weather reports before setting out. Err on the side of caution and never hike if storms, rain and strong winds are forecast.
• Mobile coverage is sporadic in the mountains, so consider offline apps like Iphigénie and taking a paper map as a back up.

• You don’t need any permits to go hiking in Corsica.

Sustainability

• Responsible hiking in Corsica entails leaving no trace of your presence. Always take your litter away with you.
• Don’t pick wild flowers.
• Never disturb livestock or wild animals.
• Support the communities by overnighting or eating at businesses run by locals.
• Shop for fresh, locally grown produce at village markets.

When you’ve been hiking in Corsica all day, it’s important to have somewhere comfortable to lay your head. Luckily for you, Corsica has hotels in all price ranges from the wallet-friendly ibis budget Ajaccio to the luxurious Sofitel Golfe d’Ajaccio Thalassa Sea & Spa. Inspired by the thought of the great outdoors? Read our round-up of Europe’s secret green getaways.