Mare e Monti North from Girolata to Calenzana

You will be picked up in Calvi, followed by a taxi transfer to Galéria. Settle into your accommodation. Free time for sightseeing or swimming, depending on the season.

Leaving the gîte, the route climbs through low maquis, winding through wild olive groves, and leads to the Porcu Liccatu crosses, perched at 425 metres above sea level. From here, you can enjoy sublime views over the gulfs of Galéria and Focolara, before plunging through centuries-old arbutus trees to reach the Focolara sheepfolds. This peaceful spot is ideal for a break before beginning the ascent to Bocca di Fuata (458 m), a pass offering breathtaking views over the Gulf of Girolata and the majestic Monte Senino (618 m). The descent then heads towards the hamlet of Girolata, with its superb Genoese fortress and welcoming beach, perfect for a refreshing swim.

Today is one of the most spectacular and majestic stages of the Mare e Monti. The path skirts the edge of the Scandola reserve, where the imposing red rhyolite rocks plunge vertiginously into the sea. It then winds along a rocky ridge, offering impressive views of the surrounding gulfs. Breathtaking panoramas follow one another throughout the day. In the distance, the peaks of the Great Barrier Reef rise up, including the majestic Paglia Orba (2,525 m) and the impressive gaping eye of Tafunatu (2,335 m). The final descent takes you down to the Gulf of Galéria, where the crystal-clear waters invite you to take a refreshing dip.

Early departure for a transfer (around 30 minutes) to the Fango river and the hamlet of Tuarelli, the starting point of a long but magnificent stage. This day will take you to the Bonifatu cirque, a veritable haven of freshness crossed by a tumultuous river. Before reaching it, you'll have to cross the Bocca di Lucca (589 m) and the Bocca di Bonassa (1175 m), before heading up the Prezzuna valley. This valley, dotted with centuries-old oaks and ancient chestnut groves, reveals landscapes imbued with serenity, before plunging into the majestic Bonifatu forest, renowned for its exceptional biodiversity. Once exploited by lumberjacks, charcoal burners and shepherds, this forest has since been restored to its original plant cover. It is in the heart of this natural sanctuary, on the banks of the river, that you will spend the night.

Last stage of your Mare e Monti north. Starting from the gîte, in the heart of the Bonifatu forest, the path runs alongside the River Figarella, which flows into the Gulf of Calvi. The route passes through the ancient gardens of Balagne, covered in scrub. Here and there, you'll come across an olive tree, a fig tree and the ruins of a wheat-growing area, a bread oven and its sheepfold. One last surprise: you'll reach the GR20 and its red and white markings, which you'll follow all the way to the village of Calenzana. Transfer to Calvi by taxi.