What are the signs like?

Tra Mare e Monti trails are clearly marked with orange paint stripes on rocks, walls and trees, and sometimes with the letters TMM. There are also signs at junctions to help you find your way around. Despite this obvious signposting, it's advisable to take a detailed map and GPS with you, especially when exploring the variants of the trail.

What's the best time of year to go on the Mare e Monti trails?

The best time to go on a Mare e Monti is from the beginning of April to the end of October, when the accommodations are open. Spring and autumn are particularly recommended for small-group hikes, as these are ideal times for those who fear the heat. During the summer, it's essential to pack enough water and set off early in the morning to avoid the heat.

How difficult are the Mare e Monti tours?

The walks on the Mare e Monti are of medium difficulty, mainly due to the length of some stages and the differences in altitude encountered on certain days.

What kind of accommodation is available?

Accommodation on the Mare e Monti route is open mainly from the beginning of April to the end of October. Most of it consists of gîtes d'étape, which offer sleeping accommodation in dormitories or double rooms. As well as gîtes, other accommodation options are available, such as hotels, bed & breakfasts and campsites.

Why choose this route?

The Mare e Monti trails are suitable for everyone. They are some of the most beautiful walks on the island, focusing on wild, unspoilt areas. The Mare e Monti Nord is easily accessible, being just 10km south of Calvi. The Mare e Monti Sud starts very close to Ajaccio, and the return journey by bus at the end of your stay is very easy to organise.

What should you take with you on a Mare e Monti?

For hiking on the Mare e Monti, we recommend you take the following equipment: hiking boots, clothing suitable for the mountains (fleece, windproof jacket, etc.), gloves and a hat, a rucksack, walking poles, topographical map, compass and GPS, a first-aid kit and a headlamp, Water and snacks, sun screen and sunglasses, a knife and rain gear.

Mare e Monti North - Piana to Calvi

Sea and mountain meet on this coastal hike via Scandola and the charming villages of Mare e Monti Nord. Sea and mountains meet on this breathtaking itinerary.

From the village of Piana perched on the west coast, the hike starts in the UNESCO site of the Calanches de Piana, which plunge into the Gulf of Porto. You then follow the coast to reach the villages of Girolata, Galéria and finally Calvi. On the agenda, the jagged coastline and high mountains of the Corsican Regional Park, untrodden coastal and mountain paths, and the Scandola Nature Reserve.

Highlights

The western part of Mare e Monti
Access to following luggage
Point to point tour - 5 days walking
Choice of gîte and hotel** or hotel ** every night
Starts in Ajaccio, ends in Calvi

Duration

6 days/ 5 nights

Type of holidays

Hiking-Walking

Access

Ajaccio

Level

2 - Moderate

Carrying

Without bags

Customise your holiday Groups, families or businesses, tailor this holiday to your needs or request a discount Download factsheet A question about this holidays? Contact us

Itinerary

4h30

Ascent / descent

+320 m / -260 m

Programs have been drawn up according to the latest information available at the time of writing: imponderables are always possible and situations beyond our control may alter the course of the program.

Dates and prices

Departure on request every day from April to mid October. 2 persons minimum.

Please select your departure date from the calendar below to find out the rate and begin your booking.

If departure is on a Sunday, the night in Piana will be replaced by a night in Ajaccio and the hike on D2 will take place in Ajaccio on the Sentier des Crêtes, then you will leave for Porto in the afternoon .

Pick a date

Price includes

Accommodation on half board (days 3, 4, 5) B&B (days 1 & 2), local internal transfers, luggage transfers, travel dossier with IGN maps, topo guide and access to our guidance application.

Price does not include

Reservation fee of 5€ / person, travel insurance, drinks, picnics, site visits and transfers to your hotel in Piana and from Calvi, travel to Corsica.

Supplements/Discounts

Supplement hotel accomodation in double or twin rooms : 105€ / person ( low season) and 170 € / person ( high season).

Insurance

We offer comprehensive multi-risk insurance specifically adapted to our adventure trips (contract no. 7482 Assurinco). The rates are as follows: 4.00% of the price of the trip for French residents, 6% of the price of the trip for residents from the European Union (EU) outside France. For non-EU residents, the rate is €90 per person. See insurance details.

Group discount

Groups of 3 people or more can benefit from a discount. Please contact us for details.

Technical informations

Starts

At your first hotel in Piana.

Ends

In Calvi after your transfer.

Access

Ajaccio Airport or Port or Calvi Airport. Please ask for details.

Number of participants

Reservations for minimum of 2 participants.

Accommodation

Mix of rooms and dormitories: 3 nights in gîte with dormitory (Serriera, Girolata, Galéria) and 2 nights in double/twin rooms in hotels (** in Piana and *** in Porto).
Double or twin rooms available throughout the tour in 3-star hotels and guest houses.
Single room supplement to be requested at the time of booking.

Meal

Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam).
Evening meals are often based on local specialities and include a starter, main course and dessert. Dinners in Piana and Porto are not included.

Level

Moderate - path with few technical difficulties.

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. No access to luggage at Girolata.

Guiding

Self-Guided Walking. We provide you with a Travel Dossier complete with IGN map and Topoguide created by our team. During your hike our 24-hour assistance service will also be able to answer all your questions and, if necessary, bring you useful tips for the smooth running of your stay.

The digital roadbook

Once you have confirmed your holiday, you can download our application. It's easy to use and it offers a number of functionalities:

Precise route guidance with alerts in the event of deviations.
View your starting point, accommodation, current position, mileage.
Discover points of interest via interactive content with descriptions, photos and audio.
In an emergency, send an SOS alert with your GPS coordinates.
Contact function to share messages, photos and videos with our team during your stay.

Extensions

Take advantage of a stay extension during your tour with Corsica Aventure.

If you'd like to discover Corsica before or after your holiday, our team can offer you ideas for accommodation and activities. If you prefer to arrive a few days earlier or extend your stay for a few days, we can book your extra nights on the island, depending on your arrival city.

Here are a few hotels we recommend for those of you who would rather organise their extra days themselves:

Ajaccio

Hôtel Le Dauphin 2 /* Tél : 04 95 21 12 94.
Hôtel Kalliste 3* / Tél : 04 95 51 34 45.
Hôtel Albion 3* / Tél : 04 95 21 66 70.
Hôtel San Carlu 3* / Tél : 04 95 21 13 84.

Propriano

Hôtel Bellevue / Tél : 04 95 76 01 86.
Gîte-hôtel U Fracintu / Tél : 04 95 76 15 05.

Porto

Hôtel Kallisté / Tél : 04 95 26 10 30.
Hôtel Le Belvédère / Tél : 04 95 26 12 01.
Hôtel Le Méditerranée / Tél : 04 95 26 10 27.

Piana

Hôtel Les Calanques / Tél : 04 95 27 82 08.
Hôtel Les Roches Rouges / Tél : 04 95 27 81 81.

Calvi

Hôtel Belvédère 3* / Tél : 04 95 65 01 25.
Hôtel Les Arbousiers 2* / Tél : 04 95 65 04 47.
Hôtel Christophe Colomb 3* / Tél : 04 95 65 06 04.
Hôtel Balanea 3* / Tél : 04 95 65 94 94.

Bastia

Best Western Montecristo Bastia / Tél : 04 95 55 05 10.

Map

Your itinerary:

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Reviews for Mare e Monti North - Piana to Calvi

78 reviews

(3.8)

Excellent welcome everywhere. Some rooms lack fans. Special mention of Curzu and Ota

Philip 21/09/2023Mare e Monti North - Piana to Calvi

Our group really enjoyed our stay, especially the quality of the accommodation and hiking, and the friendly atmosphere.