Walking and active holidays in Corsica

Useful Information

We want you to get the most out of a Corsica walking holiday, to enjoy every moment on this beautiful island! We’ve put together guidelines to make sure you’ve got everything you need for your holiday as well as a lot of useful information about what to expect.

French Bank Holidays

Shops, supermarkets and other amenities may be closed on National Holidays, or at least closed after midday. There will be limited public transport. National Holidays for 2023 are as follows in France.

  • 1st January New Years Day – Jour de l’An
  • 10th April Easter Monday – Lundi de Pâques
  • 1st May Labour Day – Fête du Travail
  • 8th May Victory in Europe – Fête de la Victoire
  • 18th May Ascenscion
  • 29th May - Pentecôte
  • 14th July Bastille Day – Fête Nationale de la France
  • 15th August Assumption – Assomption
  • 1st November All Saints Day – Toussaint
  • 11th November Armistice Day – Armistice 1918
  • 25th December Christmas Day – Noël

Walking Holiday Information

Luggage & Luggage Transfers

As various transporters are transferring your luggage, we provide a luggage transfer sheet that follows your bags, point to point. Please limit the weight of each bag to 15kg per person as otherwise the transporters may struggle. When you leave your accommodation please make sure your luggage is placed at the accommodation reception, or the place indicated by your host by 8h30.

While it may be possible to travel with the bags to the next hotel, please do not assume that you can do this. In some cases the luggage transfers may be in vehicles that are not licensed to carry passengers, or the vehicle may be full with bags for example.  If you do need a lift, please contact our DUTY PHONE to see if it is possible to make the journey and we will confirm to you if there is a local supplement to be paid.

Transfers

All of your transfers are arranged in advance. If there is a morning transfer organised you should already have your picnic and be ready to walk.  Transfers are planned for the specific times for each stage and cannot easily be changed due to tight schedules; alternative taxis may not be available due to limited transport in more rural areas.

Effective Walking Time

Times should be used as a rough indication; they have been calculated on an overall average on this itinerary. Effective walking times do not take into consideration stops to eat, rest or orientation time, so time must be added for breaks. It’s essential that you allow considerably more time than has been indicated when judging your day’s timings. We advise you to set out early, get the majority of the walking done in the morning to arrive mid afternoon at the overnight stop.

Food on your Walking holiday.

Breakfasts

Breakfast is generally simple and continental with French bread, croissant, jams, butter and a hot drink eg. strong black coffee. Some hotels are now moving towards a more buffet style breakfast but it is not the norm. Served from around 8h00, if you need to get away early you should confirm timings the night before with the hotel.

Evening Meals

Where included, a Half Board Evening Meal is normally a 3 course affair, generally served from 19h30 /20h00 onwards. You are likely to have soup or charcuterie as a starter, a local main course, cheeses, and / or dessert. Evening meals may be taken in local restaurants. Please note drinks are not included and should be paid for locally.

Picnics & Snacks

Picnics are not included but you can purchase provisions from the village shops. Shops are usually open from 8h30 – 12h00 then from 14h00 – 18h30 sometimes staying open later in the summer months. On Sundays and Monday mornings shops could be closed, ask at your hotel for the local opening times. Always have a stock of snack food with you, for extra energy along the way.

Vegetarians, Vegans, & Dietary Restrictions

On the GR20 and in more rural Corsican Hotels, the food is very limited for vegetarians and more so for vegans, it can be very repetitive and there may not be special dishes prepared apart. Vegetarianism is only slowly being recognised in France and is not so widespread as elsewhere in the world. Should you be allergic to gluten, eggs or milk products, the food in certain more rural hotels will be extremly limited.

Currency & Communication

Currency.

France and Corsica are in the Eurozone, and other currencies are not easily exchanged. There are ATM in larger towns only. Take cash as cards are not widely accepted in more rural areas.

Mobile Networks

Mobile networks can be sporadic on certain terrain and there are a number of black areas in Corsica where networks are unavailable, including certain hotels. If this is important to you please check at time of booking. We advise that you check with your operator that your phone contract is suitable for use overseas.

Language

Most people in this area of France speak French and know little English. In the villages you can still here Corsican being spoken. We recommend you try to learn some simple French phrases and greetings as this is always appreciated.

Assistance & 24H Emergency Contact

For URGENT issues on the terrain we have a bilingual DUTY PHONE. The number is given to you with your dossier. Your call will be taken 24/7. They will contact the necessary persons to assist you eg transport company or hotelier. If you need to contact us during your holiday, for NON URGENT ISSUES, our office team are also available.

General Walking Holiday Equipment

Equipment Warning – Please note, there is no opportunity on this trip to buy new equipment. Ensuring you have the right gear is essential for everyone’s safety.   It can be equally dangerous to carry too much gear that is not useful.  If you are weighed down this adds to fatigue and you will be unable to accelerate your rhythm in bad weather. Lists are as follows, please see individual factsheets for more precise details.

Bags
  • Small day pack for a water bottle, camera, picnic and waterproof
  • Rucksack or suitcase for main luggage (12kg max pp)

For Walking

  • Good walking shoes or boots with a good grip sole
  • Walking socks
  • Warm fleece
  • Shorts and T shirts.
  • Swimwear
  • Towel
  • 2 Walking poles (optional)
  • Water bottle (one litre minimum)
  • Personal first aid kit with good blister protection
  • Container for your picnics
  • Sun and rain protection
  • Sunglasses, Sun hat and sun cream
  • Wind and waterproof jacket (Gore-tex style)
Relaxing time
  • Trainers or open sandals
  • Warm Fleece and casual wear

GR20 Equipement

Bags
  • Rucksack 40l
  • Rucksack or suitcase for main luggage (12kg max pp)
For Walking
  • Hiking boots or fell shoes,  with soles in good condition
  • Socks                  
  • Shorts and T shirts
  • Swimwear
  • Good quality wind & waterproof Gortex jacket
  • Warm fleece   
  • Thermal hat and Thermal gloves
  • Waterproof trousers
  • Sun protection (hat, cream and lips, sunglasses)
  • 2 litre platypus/ camel-bag water holder.  (These containers are necessary to ensure drinking regularly. Mix in energy drinks or electrolyte if this is something you do normally)
  • Tupperware lunch box with leak proof lid
  • Fork or spoon, Penknife
  •  Basic first aid kit with blister repair (moleskin or compeed)
  • Toilet paper / pocket tissues
  • Two walking poles
  • Headlamp
For Relaxing
  • Leggings or warm trousers
  • Teva style sandals

General

  • Small quick dry travel towel
  • Plastic bags and zip-lock style bags
  • Small wash bag with toiletries & antibacterial hand wash
  • Earplugs
  • Sleeping bag -5° comfort
  • Energy bars (a few of your preferred snack bars or gels. You should be eating little and often)