Open Travel Guide
Hiking in Corsica

Corsica Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

Explore the best hiking trails and trekking routes in Corsica.

By Updated Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

Corsica has 8+ hiking trails covered in this guide, led by GR20 — Grande Randonnée 20, Gorges de la Restonica to Lac de Melo and Gorges du Tavignano. Each entry below includes the practical details — what it costs, when to go, and how to plan around it.

Corsica (Corse in French) is France's largest island and the fourth largest in the Mediterranean — a dramatic collision of granite peaks, ancient maquis scrubland, crystalline bays, and a fiercely proud culture that has absorbed Genoese, Moorish, and French influences while remaining unmistakably its own. This is the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, home to the GR20 — widely regarded as Europe's toughest long-distance trail — and the source of some of the finest charcuterie and cheese in France.

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

  1. 1

    GR20 — Grande Randonnée 20

    180 km (full route, 15–16 stages)15–16 days for full route; individual stages 5–8 hoursexpertTotal ascent approximately 12,000 m; highest point Bocca Minuta 2,225 m

  2. 2

    Gorges de la Restonica to Lac de Melo

    6 km return (to Lac de Melo) or 10 km return (to Lac de Capitello)3–4 hours return to Melo; 5–7 hours return to CapitellomoderateTrailhead 1,365 m; Lac de Melo 1,711 m; Lac de Capitello 1,930 m

  3. 3

    Gorges du Tavignano

    8–16 km (return; the canyon extends far — most day hikers turn at 4–8 km)3–8 hoursmoderateTrailhead 420 m; steady descent then river-level walking; minimal total elevation gain for day sections

  4. 4

    Aiguilles de Bavella — Trou de la Bombe Circuit

    7 km circuit4–5 hourshardCol de Bavella 1,218 m; circuit max 1,650 m; total ascent ~500 m

  5. 5

    Capu Tafunatu (Pierced Rock)

    12 km return6–8 hourshardStart at 1,467 m (Col de Verghio); summit 2,335 m; total ascent ~900 m

  6. 6

    Cirque de Bonifatu

    Various: 6–14 km return routes into the cirque2–6 hoursmoderateStart at 500 m; various peaks up to 1,700 m accessible

  7. 7

    Chemin des Douaniers (Customs Officers' Path) — Cap Corse

    Sections from 5–12 km; full coastal route around Cap Corse 60+ kmIndividual sections 2–5 hoursmoderateCoastal clifftop path; rolling terrain 0–200 m

  8. 8

    Mare e Monti Nord (Galeria to Calenzana)

    90 km total; typically walked in 5–7 days5–7 dayshardCoastal to 700 m passes; accessible to moderately fit walkers

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

Easy

Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.

Moderate

Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.

Hard

Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.

Expert

Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.

When to hike

Seasonal conditions in Corsica.

Items

Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.

Medium

Hazard: Wildfires (July–September): maquis burns fast — check prefectural fire risk at corse.gouv.fr before all hikes; some trails are closed in red-alert periods

Medium

Hazard: Flash floods: gorge hikes (Restonica, Tavignano) can become dangerous with upstream storms — check weather forecasts for the whole watershed, not just local conditions

Medium

Hazard: Heat and dehydration: July–August temperatures above 35°C are common in gorges; carry 3+ litres of water per person

Medium

Hazard: Navigation: trail markings use red-and-white paint blaze (GR20 / Haute Randonnée Corse) and orange blaze (Mare e Monti); GPS recommended for off-trail routes

Medium

Hazard: Lone hikers: the GR20 demands at minimum an emergency bivouac kit and knowledge of self-rescue; always inform someone of your route plan

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