Day 1 in Central Corsica
Welcome to the Central region of
Corsica! This area is the hilly interior of Corsica where you`ll
find unspoiled forests, switchback roads, quaint charming villages perched high
in the sky, and mountain peaks sculpted by the wind. Upon arrival, make your transfer to your destination, arrive at your
hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see
and do.
Start your visit in Corte, Corsica`s ancient
capital and a hiker`s paradise. This is one of the central region`s most
beautiful locations; in addition to being an attractive town, the surrounding
countryside is packed with outdoor adventure opportunities and photogenic landscapes.
Corte is a
University town, 30% of the population are students at the University, with a
cosmopolitan air, and bustling cafes and bars filled with students from all
over. As you arrive in the city you`ll notice the dramatic citadel
sitting on top of a rocky outcrop above the town and the Tavignano
valley. A walk up to the citadel is where the tourist office and a
museum are located. Make sure to visit the nearby viewing platform which
provides stunning views of the citadel and the town, as well as the surrounding
mountains in which Corte is set.
Near to the citadel the National
Palace was once the seat of the independent Corsican government. It
now houses various temporary exhibitions. Below the citadel
the main town is along one street with steep steps leading up to houses and
shops up the slope. A lot of the town is slightly dilapidated but it has a
faded charm and is of course surrounded by fantastic mountain scenery.
One of the most active parts of town is
the area by the Fontaine des
Quatre Canons and the wide steps, the Rampe Sainte Croix,
that run up from here with numerous restaurants and bars along the way. At
the top is the ornate church of Santa
Croix which has a beautiful interior with
the paintings on the ceiling and very pretty bright blue and gold details.
The center
of the town is around Place
Gaffori with a statue of General Gaffori in front of the building
where he once lived. Jean-Pierre Gaffory was the head of the Corsican
government from 1730 to 1750 before Pascal Paoli. Gaffori was assassinated by
the Genoese. Stop in for a look inside the 15th-century Church of the Annunciation and
admire the attractive pulpit. It has a unique bell tower as you approach Corte
from the surrounding countryside.
After a busy day of exploring the city of Corte, spend some time
relaxing in one of the many restaurants and take in the ambience of the city at
night.
Day 2 in Central Corsica
Wake up early today and head to the Gorges de la Restonica to the
south of Corte, one of the scenic highlights of the island. The gorges are
accessible both as the casual visitor for an easy walk or a more intrepid hike.
It is extremely popular with hikers and bathers looking to escape the Corsican
heat in the accessible river pools.
Another option to discover the Gorges de la Restonica is
simply driving along the valley while stopping along the way in the
various pools for a swim. The rocks on either side of the gorge are very impressive and
covered in trees, mostly pine and birch, but also with numerous flowers.
We
recommend a hike to take in all the dramatic nature of the gorges, there are
several paths of varying difficulty. Below the cliffs is a fast moving river
that flows over rocks and boulders which forms the most beautiful turquoise pools
along its length. One path that is highly popular is the path that will take
you to the two lakes: Melo and Capitello and takes about
four hours round trip. (For something a bit more challenging, take the path to Monte
Rotonda which stands high above the valley through the pine forests.)
Alternatively, check
out the Tartagine Forests,
an incredible area of wild countryside in Corsica`s National Park region also within easy reach of
Corte. Discover the beautiful mountains and
sit by snow fed rivers rushing over granite boulders surrounded by pine trees. Take
the route through Speloncato,
via the old chestnut woods of
the Guinssani, where you can stop at the Genoese church,
and admire the stunning view of the valley. As the road is winding and narrow
so the trip will take you longer than expected, we recommend to either bring a picnic (there
are few other visitors) or visit one of the local Auberges in Olmi
Cappella, Pioggiola or on the Col de
Battaglia.
At the end of the day, enjoy any of the area restaurants serving
up delicious local cuisine before heading back to your hotel for a restful
night sleep.
Day 3 in Central Corsica
On your last day in the Central Region
of Corsica continue exploring the astonishing beauty and head to the Asco
Valley. The remote and now abandoned ski resort of `Altore
2000` lies at the end of the road leading west through the Forêt de Carrozzica at the northern
foot of Monte Cinto, but is an excellent place to start a hike
along a stretch of the GR20
that takes in Corsica`s third highest peak, Paglia Orba and which offers, arguably, some of the best
views on the whole of the island. On the way to Altore,
there is the Genoese bridge at
Asco, which provides a peaceful spot to stop for a refreshing
swim in the river and there are many picturesque picnic spots within a short
walk.
On the road up to Asco is the Village des Tortues, which is
home to the sanctuary for the native Hermann`s Tortoise - a species peculiar to
the island and, thanks to this initiative, now beginning to become
re-established in the wild.
There are also plenty of roads to
explore deep into the forests
of Vizzavona, La Restonica
and Rospa Sorba,
crossing lofty passes that provide exceptional views across the island.
At the end of the day stop at any one of
the picturesque villages you found along the way to take in the charm and enjoy
some local cuisine.
Additional Days in Central Corsica
Should you be able to spend additional
days in the central region of Corsica we recommend a visit to the remote village
of Aullène to enjoy the magnificent scenery. It has
fewer than 200 permanent inhabitants today, but once was a place of importance
before any of the modern, faster roads by the coast were built. The only route
from Ajaccio to Porto Vecchio went through here. The village is surrounded by
chestnut and pine forests and offers an excellent center for exploring the
mountains.
Another village worth a visit is Zonza, situated is at a
meeting point of mountain roads. With its old stone houses and narrow streets,
it is a true mountain village. The surrounding countryside is diverse and
fascinating; the majestic Col de Bavella, drawn and painted
by Edward Lear and endlessly photographed since, is nearby. This area is particularly
suitable for those who want to do some walking without being too ambitious, and
many easier routes are marked.
And yet another area worth discovering is the
Vico
and the Gorges of Liamone. Vico is one of
the more remote outposts of Corsica and nestles in the mountains 9.3 miles
northeast of Sagone. To the north, Col
de Sevi provides fine views across the mountains, or strike
east and visit the thermal
springs at Guagno-les-bains. The more adventurous can
continue further along this way to the hamlets of Soccia and Orto perched on a ledge in front of
the crags of Monte St Eliseo. From
Vico, the D1 travels south following the Rivière Liamone for about
4 miles. The Gorge is a beautifully remote landscape of extensive valleys covered
in chestnut trees and framed by shadowy ridges covered in patches of deep
maquis. Wild pigs roam freely until the village of Arbori, an exquisite collection of
russet buildings strung out on a ledge overhanging the valley. Don`t miss the convent of St François, a great
white building encircled by vivid green woods and gardens. Continue south and
you arrive at the wine producing
Cinarca region. Walkers should not miss the hike to the Lac de Creno.
Your Last Day in Central Corsica
Depart your hotel for the train station, ferry or airport where you will head home or make your way to more Corsican adventures. Savor the memories of a very special time in the central region of Corsica.