Ultimate Corsica

The trails are usually packed dirt, but the terrain can be very rugged, with steep climbs over uneven ground and craggy rocks. This includes sections of loose scree and the occasional need to use your hands to scramble and use fixed chains for aid. On some days you will encounter sections of narrow, exposed trails. Altitudes are not high, and we carry only a daypack, but distances are long on some days, and there are many days with steep ascents and descents. No climbing or mountaineering experience is necessary, but all participants must be in good physical condition, have good balance, be comfortable with sections exposure, and be confident on their feet.

During the trip, we will also offer multi-sport options such as biking and the Corsican sport of “canyoning.” Although our Trip Leader will explain the specifics with you in person, we recommend you have experience with those activities before the trip if you plan to participate.

We strongly urge you to train for your trip, as your enjoyment will be highly dependent on your level of fitness. The best training for a hike is to hike, especially over hills or rough terrain. Next best are running, swimming, bicycling, or other cardiovascular exercises. Stair-climbing machines are excellent preparation for hiking uphill. It’s important to take time to build up muscle and endurance prior to your trip. Your feet should also be well prepared—make sure your hiking boots are sturdy, comfortable, and thoroughly broken-in.

The weather in Corsica is usually very pleasant, with summer/fall temperatures in the 70s°F and 80s°F during the day and in the 50s°F and 60s°F at night. Cool breezes and rain showers can occur at any time.

Our accommodations are in hotels selected for their location and comfort. While they are not the most luxurious options in the area, they are comfortable and in optimal locations. Since they are often in historic buildings, the rooms are not always of uniform or international size. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.

The food in Corsica is a blend of two of the world’s most beloved cuisines: French and Italian. Menus offer locally made charcuterie, wild boar stew, chestnut polenta, fragrant fish stews, canistrelli (flaky shortbread biscuits), and the island’s famed cheeses and Corsican honey. Continental breakfast is served at our hotels, and we will often enjoy a packed lunch along the way during our hikes. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm.

Our support vehicle will transport the group’s luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day’s hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or remain at the hotel if we are not transferring that day).