The Balagne is a great introduction to Corsica and this holiday explores this beautiful region, from the coast to the high hillside villages. Backed by mountains that dominate the coastline, the silver sand beaches are also a favourite with holiday makers and you will bathe in the perfumes, colours and contrasting landscapes that have earned the Balagne a prestigious following. Your holiday starts in the beautiful seaside town of L’Ile Rousse. Explore the town and the red island, that gives the town its name. After a couple of nights by the coast, you head to the hills, through the garden of Corsica, along old mule tracks, through pastures and olive groves, past perched villages trapped in time.
Villages of the Balagne
Self
8 days / 7 nights
Level 1 2 3 4
Point to Point - 6 days walking
Comfortable 3* & 4* hotels
Starting from 1020 €
- Comfortable hotels
- Highly flexible walking & sightseeing options
- Stay in pretty hilltop villages, never far from the sea
- L'Ile Rousse, Monticello, Sant Antonino, Calvi
Groups, families or businesses
Tailor this holiday to your needs READ MORE
Day 1 - L'Ile Rousse
Your holiday starts in L’Ile Rousse, on the North West coast. Check into your hotel before exploring the cobbled streets of the old town, the cafés of the Place des Platanes, one of the beautiful beaches and the ‘Red Isle’ that gives the town’s name. The town was founded by Pascal Paoli, in response to the Genoese at Calvi, and has a wonderful lived in feel. Optional coastal walk to the Parc de Saleccia, a beautiful Mediterranean garden.
Day 2 - Algajola to L'Ile Rousse
Today is a pleasant stroll through the Balagne, you take the train to the village of Algajola. The tracks hug the coast, and the views are sublime on this short 15 min ride. From Algajola you climb between dry stone walls to the artists village of Pigna, the narrow streets of the village are home to various crafts. From Pigna you take a path to Corbara, and pass through narrow alleyways of the village of Corbara before dropping down to return to Ile Rousse.
13km, 4h00, +430m, -430m.
Day 3 - L'Ile Rousse to Monticello
Your walking starts at L'Ile Rousse, before climbing along old mule tracks via the hamlets of Santa Reperata to Monticello, you can even do a detour to the Cima Sant’Angelo at 562m for a true birds eye view. The village of Monticello is perched high above L'Ile Rousse and is home to many a French celebrity. The walking is very flexible and we offer a circular walk around the village with views over L'Ile Rousse and the Regino valley. Stay in a charming hotel in Monticello.
12.5km, 4h00, +665m, -435m.
Day 4 - Speluncato to Monticello
After a short transfer, you are dropped in the perched village of Speluncato. After exploring this high villages, you have a choice of walks today via perched villages and paths that down drop onto the Regino plain, between market gardens, past old chapels and ruins of long forgotten hamlets before climbing again to the village of Monticello. Another night in the heart of the village of Monticello.
15km, 5h00, +305m, -595m.
Day 5- Corbara to Lumio
From the Convent at Corbara, you pass through the villages of the Haute Balagne including the village of Sant Antonino, one of the most beautiful villages on the island before walking via the village of Cateri, past a Convent and washouses to Lavatoggio. From here we follow on across lofty land, climbing to the abandoned village of Occi high above Lumio. The village was deserted in the 20th Century, when no road could be built for access. The views from here towards Calvi are sublime. A transfer takes you from Lumio to Calvi for your nights stop.
13.5km, 5h30, +555m, -665m.
Day 6 - Calvi to La Revellata
There are a few walks to do in Calvi. The first is a beautiful walk on the Revellata peninsula, an unspoilt area of maquis and sea cliffs. Head around the coast towards the lighthouse, a real highlight of the trip. This protected area is a haven for wildlife, with much flora and fauna that is found only here. The walk passes along sea cliffs and down to unspoilt coves, your journey back can be extended to take in Notre Dame de la Serra, high above Calvi, this beautiful chapel is the ideal spot for a few shots.
13km, 4h00, +475m, -475m.
Day 7 - Capu di a Veta
Relax today or take a challenging walk to the summit of Capu di a Veta and the Austrian cross at 700m above Calvi for which you will need to leave early but the views are sublime. If you want an easier day, just enjoy Calvi, hire a bike, take time at the beach or explore the Genoese citadelle and town.
11km, 5h00, +700m, -700m.
Day 8 - Calvi
End of holiday in Calvi, extra nights and transfers available, please ask for details.
This itinerary is correct at time of publication. Should situations arise that are beyond our control, such as severe weather conditions, or other such factors that could put your safety at risk, the itinerary may be modified.
Departure on request every day from April to late October. 2 persons minimum.
Please select your departure date in the calender below to see the price and click on the button to the right to make a reservation.
Prices : €1020pp (May, June, September & October) €1170p (July & August)
Supplements/Discounts
Single Supplements : €425pp (May, June, September & October) €510pp (July & August)
Private transfer Calvi Airport to L'Ile Rousse (1 to 3 persons) : from €60
Private transfer Calvi to Calvi Airport (1 to 3 persons) : from €35
Price includes
Accommodation on B&B (days 1, 2, 5, 6, 7) HB (days 3,4), local internal transfers, luggage transfers, travel dossier with IGN maps and topo guide.
Price does not include
Reservation fee of €5pp, travel insurance, drinks, picnics, site visits and transfers to L'Ile Rousse and from Calvi, travel to Corsica.
Starts
At your first hotel in L’Ile Rousse.
Ends
At your hotel in Calvi after breakfast.
Access
Calvi Airport or L'Ile Rousse Port, Bastia Airport or Port. If you arrive into Ajaccio, please ask for details of transport connections. Air tickets and boat reservations available, please ask for a quotation.
Accommodation
- Hotel 3* & 4*, in a twin/double room, please request at time of reservation.
- Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam).
- Evening meals night 3 (based on local specialties, including a starter, a main course and a dessert).
Should you have any food allergies, dietary requirements or special requests, please advise at time of booking.
Number of participants
Reservations for minimum of 2 participants. NB. For safety reasons we do not accept solo hiker reservations on Self-Guided treks.
Level
Gentle 3-4 hours of effective walking with ascents. Accessible to occasional walkers and to anyone in good health, you don’t have to be a seasoned hiker to enjoy these walks.
Moderate Involve longer walks, generally from 4-6 hours a day. The nature of the terrain presents little technical difficulty but some previous hill walking experience is useful. The ascents will vary from 400m to 800m altitude gain per day.
There are two options in the walking notes provided offering greater flexibility.
Guiding
Self-Guided Walking. We provide you with a Travel Dossier complete with A4 copies of the IGN maps and a walking guide created by our team. During your hike our 24-hour assistance service will also be able to answer all your questions and, if necessary, assist you with the smooth running of your stay.
Luggage transfers
During this walk you will carry only a small day sack with a water bottle, camera, picnic, trailfood, sun and wet weather gear. Luggage is transported by vehicle, point to point.
Our customers' reviews
Dorothy-Luxemburg
All the hotels were perfect ! The dinner at Monticello included at the A Pasturella was wonderful. Relatively challenging walking - escpecially in the heat and a memorable holiday.
Annie-USA
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We had a wonderful trip. The hotels were excellent, the food excellent and we will definitely do this again! Thank you so much for all the help and guidance.