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Corsica is a mountain in the Sea. There are four classic walks in Corsica that snake around the foot of the massifs and lead through forests and villages offering breath-taking views over the mountain tops and out to sea. In all of them you will pass through a series of villages as well as the stunning landscapes that are a joy to discover .

The  Mare a Mare South   is a distinct favorite allowing you to enjoy all the contrasts and colours of the island. Starting from the gulf of Porto Vecchio on the East coast, the trail rises up through the mountains of the Alta Rocca region to arrive in Propriano on the West coast. This holiday would appeal to anyone that is used to walking regularly and is in good shape. With five days of easy to moderate walking you will discover the richness of the extreme south.

The  Heart of Corsica  is an opportunity to bathe in the perfumes, colours and contrasting landscapes that have earned Corsica it’s reputation. Jagged summits are ever present, towering above dominating the sky line.  The walks leads  through fragrant pine tree forests, alongside ever present, tumbling, clear emerald mountain torrents and rock pools, remote villages and chestnut forests.  You will start your walking at the very centre of the island, in Vizzavona. Here you can walk on the famed GR20, the long distance footpath that crosses the island via the highest peaks and most renowned beauty spots.  Through the region South of Corte,  known as the Venachese, an important pastoral area and there are plenty of trails that were once used by the shepherds, you continue on to the island’s historical capital, Corte.  There  is a university  and it’s the only main town that is not situated on the coast.  At the confluence of two magical gorges the Restonica and the Tavignano, Corte nestles at the foot of some fantastic mountains.  The  town is a joy to discover, artists, pottery workshops, street cafés, there is a vibrant atmosphere. 
Your holiday will come to an end back on the coast in Ajaccio.

 The GR20  is the toughest long distance walk in Europe. If you are an experienced walker, in good shape and do not want to undertake the trail with a guided group, then why not benefit from a wonderful logistic that will make the experience challenging but comfortable. Valac and partners are the only to offer this famous GR on a ‘Self Guided’ independent formula. No heavy ruck-sacks to carry, no food to prepare, or tent to put up. No racing to the refuges to ensure a bed and you have regular access to your main luggage.

The  GR20  traverses the island diagonally following the high granite barrier of mountains that form the natural boundary between the two regions of Corsica. The trail from Bavella to Vizzavona offers some fantastic scenery and an insight into the working mountain community. You stay in a variety of different accommodations, a shepherd’s cabin and gîtes, all situated in places of exceptional beauty. Your evening meals are prepared for you, it is a pleasure to sit down at the end of a day’s walking and sample some of the local culinary specialities, you’ll find a great variety of cheeses and some good red wines. Most days you can walk carrying just a small day sack, it is a bonus to be able to do this trek without having to carry a heavy load, you can really get the most out of the walking this way. At the end of certain days you will leave the GR20 to walk to your night stops. Due to their locations you are able to have access to your main luggage bags throughout the trek, on all but one night. The GR20 is for walkers who have a good fitness level, it does not require any climbing techniques or special skills, you just need to be able to walk with confidence over a variety of rugged terrain. The trail winds through some incredulous mountain terrain, over high ridges, down deep chasms and bare granite slopes. There are many steep ascents and descents, the ambience is strictly alpine. It is an exceptional, long distance walk, reputed as the best and most challenging in Europe. At the end of the trek you return to the small coastal town of Ajaccio where you can enjoy the street cafés, the shops and restaurants.
 

General information about Corsica

ACCESS :
By Air 
Direct charter flights during the season from Gatwick and Heathrow offered by Air France, British Midland. Contact Holiday Options or Sky Marketing. Scheduled services via Paris.  You can also change at Montpellier or Nice for connecting flights.

By Bus: Find all information at http://www.corsicabus.org/

Accommodation:
These walking tours have a variety of accommodations: hotels, chambres d'hôtes and gîtes with dormitories. See the description of the different tours for the details.

In hotels you'll have bathroom en suite (budget and standard package).
In chambres d'hotes you'll have private rooms and sometimes bathroom en suite (standard package).
In gîtes you will sleep in dormitories (4 - 7 beds), so sometimes together with other walkers (budget package).

Weather:
June and September are the best months to walk on Corsica.

Books :
General (French) information  – tourism – gastronomie
- Corse, par A et F Rother (Arthaud)
- Guide Bleu de la Corse (Hachette)
- Guide pratique de la Corse par Olivier Jehasse (éditions de la Marge, Ajaccio)
- La bonne cuisine corse, par Christine Schapira (éditions Solar)
Geography – nature
- Parc naturel régional de la Corse, plantes et fleurs rencontrées, par Marcelle Conrad
- Roches et paysages de la Corse, par A. Gauthier (parc naturel régional et BRGM)
History – archeologie – art :
- Histoire de la Corse, par Michel Vergé Franceschi (éditions du Félin)
- Arts traditionnels de la Corse, par Loviconi (Edisud)

Practical information

 Extra nights: in Ajaccio

Hôtel** Le Kallisté :+334 95 51 34 45   51, Cours Napoleon Ajaccio tel. 0495 513 445
Hôtel** Le Dauphin : +334 95 51 29 96
Hôtel*** Albion : +334 95 21 66 70
Hôtel*** San Carlu : +334 95 21 13 84
Chambre d'hôtes chez Madame Battini : +334 95 21 83 04
Hôtel Fesch ***: 0033 (0)4 95 51 62 62
Hôtel Les Mouettes**** : 0033 (0)4 95 50 40 40

Extra nights in Porto-Vecchio
Hôtel Holzer ** : 0033 (0)4 95 70 05 93
Hôtel Le Goéland ** : 0033 (0)4 95 70 14 15
Hôtel Shegara *** : 0033 (0)4 95 70 40 31
Hôtel Alcyon *** : 0033 (0)4 95 70 50 50
Hotel Mistra **l, Porto-Vecchio, 5 rue Toussaint Culioli 20137 - Tel 0495 700 853

 Extra nights in Propriano
Hôtel Bellevue (HT) : 0033 (0)4 95 76 01 86
Hôtel Beach Hôtel ** : 0033 (0)4 95 76 17 74
Hôtel Claridge *** : 0033 (0)4 95 76 05 54
Grand hôtel Miramar ****luxe : 0033 (0)4 95 76 06 13

 Extra nights in Bastia
Hôtel Sud Hôtel ** : 0033 (0)4 95 30 20 61
Hôtel le Forum ** : 0033 (0)4 95 31 02 53
Hôtel Les Sablettes *** : 0033 (0)4 95 58 50 20
Hôtel Ostella*** : 0033 (0)4 95 30 97 70

 Extra nights in Calvi
Hôtel du Centre (HT) : 0033 (0)4 95 65 02 01
Hôtel Christophe Colomb ** : 0033 (0)4 95 65 06 04
Hôtel le Grand Hôtel *** : 0033 (0)4 95 65 09 74
Hôtel La Villa ****luxe : 0033 (0)4 95 65 10 10

 Extra nights in Corte
Hôtel de la Paix** : 0033 (0)4 95 46 06 72
Hôtel du Nord** : 0033 (0)4 95 46 00 68
Hôtel Les Jardins de la Glacière** : 0033 (0)4 95 45 27 00
Hôtel Dominique Colonna*** : 0033 (0)4 95 45 25 65