Coast to Coast – Mare a Mare South, From Porto-Vecchio to Propriano. Corsica is one of the last places in western Europe with a way of life comparatively unchanged. Wonderful mountain and pastoral scenery, clear rivers, clean air.
Corsica offers an impressive diversity of scenery, culture and history. The Mare a Mare South is one of the most renowned classical Corsican paths taking you from one coast to another. Pass through Corsica’s unspoilt landscapes and bathe in the clear blue waters of streams, rivers and sea. The route can be undertaken with or without luggage transfer and you may choose to use hostels or small hotels with mostly private bathrooms. 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. Five days of easy to moderate walking.
Price:
£875 per person in private rooms (private bathrooms where available).
Supplement of £75 per person in July and August.
Supplement for starting any day other than a Saturday £25.00
Included:
6 nights accommodation with breakfast
4 dinners
Route notes/maps
Luggage transfers
Local back-up.
Not Included:
Meals that are not mentioned above, transfers that are not mentioned, drinks with meals and insurance (essential)
Departure Dates:
Daily late April to October (Sunday usual day – supplement payable of £25 pp if you start on another day).
Day 1: Arrive and overnight Porto Vecchio
Day 2: Porto Vecchio-Cartalavonu
If you have time, visit the famous Palombaggia beach 10 kms south of Porto Vecchio, one of the most beautiful in Corsica. Leave Porto Vecchio and start walking towards the mountains. Passing through Alzu di Gallina and the Ospedale villages, and Corsican maquis and maritime pines, you will reach Cartalavonu plateau at 1020m from where you will have a wonderful view over the Porto Vecchio Gulf. Overnight in Cartalavonu. Around 5 hours walking, +880m
Day 3: From Cartalavonu to Levie
The path leads north from Cartalavonu to the high mountain pass at Foce Alta, from where there are magnificent views over Lake Ospedale among pine trees – in summer, you might see the forest of tree trunks at the bottom of the lake. Arrive at a second pass, the Bocca a Mela, from where you will have views over your route, the Alta Rocca’s small perched villages and the famous pink granite pinnacles of Bavella. The trail will lead you to Carbini, famous for its 11th century church and the River Fiumicicoli. After crossing the river, pass through olive groves and arrive at Levie. Night in Levie. Around 5 hours walking, +510m -920m
Day 4: From Levie to Serra di Scopamena
The village’s church is the starting point of your walking itinerary. From the last of the village’s houses the path heads up through an oak forest full of huge blocks of granite. Arrive at St Laurent chapel close to archaeological sites, the most famous being Cucuruzzu, dating back to the Bronze Age and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Head for Zonza and reach Quenza, famous for its ancient church, after crossing the Criviscia river. Thence to Serra di Scopamena for overnight. About 5.45 hours walking. 17 kms. +760m -520m. (also possible to overnight in Quenza).
Day 5: From Serra di Scopamena to Santa Lucia di Tallano
Walkthrough chestnut forest, noticing the old restored chestnut mill. From an oak grove, the path loops down to a small country lane leading to Campu. Cross the River Rizzanese. On the other side, walk up among oak and strawberry trees to the Col de Tavara. Pass through the village of Altagene and the hamlet of Sant Andrea di Talla, before arriving at Santa Lucia di Tallano with its XVth century convent, a XVth century tower and a restored olive mill with an olive oil museum. Night in Santa Lucia di Tallano. Around 5 hours walking, 10kms, +400m, -800m.
Day 6: From Santa Lucia di Tallano to Borgo/Propriano
Passing the XIIth century Roman chapel of St-Jean-Baptiste, the path descends through an oak forest to the Piombatu Bridge across the Rizzanese. The next village you will pass by is Loreto di Tallano from where you will head towards Fozzano, a village famous for a story from Mérimée relating the legendary Colomba based on a true vendetta. Make your way towards Baracci, crossing the Baracci river close to an old water mill. Meet mid-afternoon for transfer to Propriano.
Around 6 hours walking, 12 kms +675m, -1035m.
Day 7: Departure
It may be necessary to make changes as a result of factors beyond our control. As a consequence, some elements of that description may be modified if necessary.
6 nights accommodation in private rooms and private bathrooms where available.
5 nights accommodation with breakfast, 3 dinners, luggage transfers, maps and route notes.
Figari-Sud is the most convenient airport to fly into (about 25km away), however, there are no direct flights from the UK and connecting flights leave from Paris, Nice, Marseille or Lyon.
A transfer from the airport takes approx 20 minutes, there is also a bus service that takes about 30 mins.
Other options include flying to Bastia or Ajaccio and then a transfer to Porto-Vecchio.
We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.
Contact us now to book this walk or make an enquiry.
