The Mare a Mare South takes you from coast to coast through scenic villages, majestic forests and airy mountain tops. Along the way, breath-taking views and striking landscapes await discovery. A challenge, allowing you to enjoy all the contrasts and colours of the island, the route starts from the gulf of Porto Vecchio on the east coast, rising up through the mountains of the Alta Rocca to arrive in Propriano on the west coast. With five days of challenging walking you will discover the richness of the extreme south.
Mare a Mare South
Self guided walking
7 days / 6 nights
Level 1 2 3 4
Point to Point - 5 days walking
3* Hotel & Chambre d'Hôtes
Starting from 995 €
- Ensuite rooms in fascinating, mountain villages
- Region of Corsica rich in history and culture
- Alta Rocca mountains to the sea
- Porto Vecchio, Ospedale, Ste Lucie de Tallano
Groups, families or businesses
Tailor this holiday to your needs READ MORE
Day 1 - Porto Vecchio
Arrive into Porto Vecchio, with time to settle into your central hotel before exploring. Porto Vecchio is the third largest town on Corsica and thrives as a holiday resort due to its sublime silver sand beaches, some of the best in the Med. The ambiance is chic and distinctly Mediterranean and you will love the contrasts of this town. It is great to just sit in one of the cafés in the Citadel and soak up the atmosphere. Visit the tourist shops, or simply just relax on the beach. Night in central 3*hotel on a B&B basis.
Day 2 - Porto Vecchio to Ospedale
Your first day's walk will lead you from sea level up into the mountains. We transfer you to the trailhead at Alzu di Gallina, from here you climb to the Ospedale forest to the village perched high above Porto Vecchio altitude. The Mediterranean vegetation is fragrant, a scrubby mix of heather bushes, strawberry trees and wild herbs. The views back across the gulf of Porto Vecchio are breathtaking.
15km, 5h00, +1130m.
Day 3 - Ospedale to Levie
The path leads swiftly up away from to the hamlet of Cartalavonu, then onto the high mountain pass of Foce Alta (1171m). From there you will catch magnificent views over the Lake of Ospedale. A multitude of sleepy perched villages of Alta Rocca and the famous pink granite pinnacles of Bavella are stretched out before you. The trail winds its way through a chestnut forest, the village of Carbini (famous for its 11th century church decorated with Pisan art) and the Fiumiccicoli river. Passing through olive groves and its old mill, you arrive at the outskirts of Levie, a taxi takes you to Zonza for the night.
12km, 5h00, +670m, -1120m.
Day 4 – Zonza to Aullene
The trail leads out of the village, you arrive at the Quenza deer enclosure and shortly afterwards, the village itself. Be sure to go and see the Pisan church that dates from the year 1000. You pass the hamlet of Ghjallicu an old chestnut mill and the shepherd's cabin Lavu Donacu, at the edge of the Coscione plateau before reaching the Bocca d'Arria Perroza.
13km, 4h00, +500m, -450m.
Day 5 - Aullene to Ste Lucie de Tallano
From Aullene you arrive at the panoramic Cuircupula bronze ages site and down to the village of Serra di Scopamene. As the path snakes through a chestnuts forest, you will notice an old mill that has been restored by the Corsican Natural Park. You will pass the River Rizzanese, the Col de Tavara, the village of Altagène, then through the hamlet of Saint Andrea di Talla before arriving at today’s destination: Santa Lucia de Tallano. This village is really invinting and full ofinterests. Such as a 15th century convent, tall granite houses, a restored olive mill and the possibility to purchase a wide variety of oils. You stay tonight in a village auberge, dinner at a local restaurant.
10km, 4h00, +570m, -800m.
Day 6 - Ste Lucie de Tallano to Propriano
Passing the 12th century Roman chapel St-Jean-Baptiste, the path crosses the River Rizzanese. The following stop on our itinerary is Loreto di Tallano. This village was the setting of a famous novel written by Prosper Mérimée: the legendary Colomba, based on a true vendetta story. Impatience will mount as you get closer to the beckoning Mediterranean sea. You make your way towards the thermal spa of Baracci; the benefits of its waters have been known since antiquity. A great spot to have a soak and relax. At the end of today’s walk a short transfer is scheduled at 3 pm from Fozzano to Propriano, a coastal resort buzzing with atmosphere, street cafes and plenty of fish restaurants. Night in a 3* seaside hotel in Propriano
12km, 4h30, +710m, -720m.
Day 7 – Propriano
End of holiday in Propriano, 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.
Departures everyday from early April until the end of October.
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 : €995pp (May, June, September & October) €1070pp (July & August)
Supplements/Discounts
Single Supplements : from €325pp
Price includes
Accommodation on half board (days 2, 3, 4, 5) B&B (day 1 & 6), 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 Porto Vecchio and from Propriano, travel to Corsica.
Starts
At your first hotel in Porto Vecchio.
Ends
In Propriano, after your last hike. Extra nights available in Propriano.
Access
Ajaccio Airport or port, Figari Airport or Porto Vecchio or Propriano port. If you arrive into Bastia, please ask for details of transport connections.
Accommodation
- 3* Hotels & Chambres d'Hotes.
- Budget Dormitory version available.
- Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam).
- Evening meals nights 2, 3, 4 & 5 (based on local specialties, including a starter, a main course and a dessert).
Should you have any food allergies, special requests or dietary requirements, 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
Moderate. Involves 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. See our level ratings.
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
Rebecca-UK
A tailormade Mare a Mare South.
Louis-Belgium
Good accommodation and great food on our Mare a Mare South.
Ingrid-Sweeden
We had a very nice time in Corsica. We think that the length of walks were too long because you don't get time to stop and look at things along the way. We suggest an alternative with shorter days. The office staff have been very helpful!
Margaret-Canada
There was a wide range of accommodation, most were good but a couple were pretty basic. It wasn't an issue. It also would have been good service to let travellers know that there aren't travel options on Sundays. Almost all the evening meals were terrific, some were basic and some were excellent. Overall this was not a problem. We loved the table d'hote experience in Levie and the restaurant that served sanglier in San Larenzu. The Mare a mare sud was definitely challenging but it was a great workout and we loved the landscape and small towns. You need to be in good shape to enjoy it, I think. It would have been very useful to have a sense of the distance between sites or markers in the guide book just so you know where you are.
Jenny-Australia
We enjoyed all the gites as they were all different. Excellent value and very well organised holiday. Thank you Corsica Aventure.
Cindy-USA
We had a grand time and appreciate all you did for us. We had a most wonderful time, the directions were spot on.
William-USA
Thank you for rating!
You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!
Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!
Corsica is a beautiful country and hiking is challenging. Their English speaking staff was very helpful in arranging airport transfers and answering questions and concerns. Each accommodation was comfortable and unique.