Corsican tourism :trekking and visits.

Nature Culture City, university city and historic capital, located in the center of Corsica, Corte is the starting point for many hikes. Discover the walks and visits that will make your stay on the island an unforgettable getaway.

Hiking

Hiking in the Restonica Valley

The Restonica valley and the Melo and Capitello lakes.

Once you have entered the Restonica Valley, you must travel 16 kms to reach the Grotelle sheepfold, from which you depart towards the mountain lakes.

You will first reach Lake Melo, located at 1711 meters above sea level, before you can continue to Lake Capitello, located at 1930 meters.

It takes on average 3 hours round trip for Melo and 4.5 hours for Capitetello.

Height difference : 341m and 560 m

Marking : Yellow

Difficulty (out of 5) : 3 It is one of the essentials of tourism in Corsica.

Hiking in the Tavignano Valley

It is at the foot of the citadel of Corte that the Tavignano valley extends, where one of the main rivers of Corsica winds, the Tavignano, rising from Lake Nino to flow into the Mediterranean Sea.

To explore the valley, you will need to take the path that runs along the right bank of the river to the Rossolinu footbridge (Russulinu).

Allow around 4 hours round trip.

Height difference : 450m ,

Duration : 2h one way, 1h30 return

Marking : orange

Difficulty (out of 5) : 2

Corte's Arch

The starting point towards the Arch is the Tavignano Valley.

Do not take the Tavignano path, but climb above it, passing a residence to reach a small stone shelter. Continue heading north and cross a second ridge. Once arrived in a chestnut grove, then in a pine forest, around 1000 m above sea level, you will climb towards the southwest to reach a pass at the point 1145 m. On the left, you can see a cross on top of a rock. The route continues north between altitudes 1100 m and 1200 m.

You must pass a rocky point (alt. 1293 m) and climb to the right in some scree to reach a small pass. From there, turn right and continue northwest, then west. It takes another 40 minutes between 1400 and 1500 m to reach the Arch.

Duration of the hike: 5 hours (return). Height difference 1000m. Marking: Orange + Cairns. Difficulty (out of 5): 5

The Asco Valley and Monte Cinto

Take the D147 road which runs along the gorges for almost 10 km and stop to swim in the river. Continuing on the road after Asco, you will arrive at the Haut-Asco ski resort, starting point for the ascent of Monte Cinto, the highest peak in Corsica, at 2706 meters above sea level. This hike is reserved for experienced walkers!

Elevation gain: 750 m; Duration: 1h45 One way, 1h30 Return; Marking: Yellow; Difficulty (out of 5): 3.

Rail and hiking trails in the Vizzavona forest 

Discover Corsica aboard the railway to Vizzavona station.

The Vizzavona forest is 50 minutes by train from Corte and there are several hiking trails to explore it, the best known being that of the Cascade des Anglais, a superb place with several small waterfalls in a row and numerous natural basins.

There are 2 options to reach the Cascades des Anglais:

- From Vizzavona station, follow the signs for the waterfalls. Path marked in red and white. Walk about 3 km (around 45 min) to the waterfalls. Best if you have children.

- From the Vizzavona pass (large free parking), around 30 minutes on foot to go to the waterfalls. Hiking shoes recommended. A little more difficult than from the station (passage through scree).

Excursions by car 

Day trip, discovery of Boziu and Castagniccia, in the heart of Corsica and only a few km from Corte.

Among the most beautiful sites:

• The village of Saliceto (Chapel built on a bridge),
• The village of Morosaglia (Pasquale Paoli's birthplace converted into a museum),
• The village of La Porta (Church of St John the Baptist and its baroque bell tower)
• Source of the ferruginous waters of Orezza (Stazzona)

The benefits of staying in Corte 

• Due to its central position, Corte is 45 minutes by car from the first beach in Balagne, Ostriconi, a magnificent listed site. From there, all the beaches of the Balanine coast are accessible in less than 1 1/2 hours (Lozari, Ile Rousse, Algajola, Lumio, Calvi). Corte is also 45 minutes from the first beach on the eastern coast, Aleria; 55 minutes from the beaches of Ghisonaccia, 1 hour 15 minutes from Solenzara, 1 hour 45 minutes from Porto Vecchio and 2 hours from Bonifacio.
• Corte is a paradise for hikers and lovers of “green tourism”. The natural pools of the Tavignano and Restonica valleys are magnificent swimming spots.

Sports activities around Corte 

The Restonica and Tavignanu rivers are full of natural swimming pools for swimming. Eroded rock formations and gray granite boulders scattered along the canyon create natural pools and small waterfalls offering endless fun away from the summer heat.

Other much more sporty activities (other than hiking) are also featured in Corte itself or around Corte such as classic and electric bike rental, canyoning in the Verghellu canyon, Coriscia or Vecchio, climbing for all levels, tree climbing to wander in the trees and experience zip lines as well as caving.

Cultural activities 

The Corsican Museum of Corte

The Corsican Museum, a regional anthropology museum, under the name Musée de France, opened its doors in June 1997 to house the ethnography collection collected by Father Louis Doazan, commissioned by the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions. The architect Andrea Bruno, UNESCO expert and specialist in the rehabilitation of old buildings, made the Corsican Museum a real site museum, inserted in the heart of the citadel and in harmony with it, and a conducive space to discover a culture and its territory.

The University of Corsica Pasquale Paoli

Anchored in its territory, open to the world.

Founded in 1765 and reopened in 1981, the University of Corsica Pasquale Paoli is a formation and research structure resolutely anchored in its territory, in direct contact with major local, national and international issues.

Multidisciplinary, the Università di Corsica Pasquale Paoli offers more than 100 diplomas from baccalaureate to doctoral level, delivered by 8 faculties, institutes and schools. The constant interest in the integration of its 4,700 students is based on training with strong professional content, in accordance with the major development issues of its territory.

Strongly invested in the international path, the University of Corsica encourages its students to develop a real culture of mobility. It also offers a cultural and sporting offering of great diversity. Personal or associative initiatives are also encouraged and valued.

The Università di Corsica has the material and human resources to provide students with the best possible conditions for training, integration and personal development.

Tourism in Corsica also involves the cultural discovery of the Island.