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.

Minitrip Calanques de Piana - Corsica Aventure

The Aïtone pools, the Spelunca and the Gulf of Porto are the jewels in the crown of Corsica's west coast.

During this short break you'll discover one of the island's treasures: the Gulf of Porto with its deep blue waters and the famous Calanques de Piana, an incredible tangle of needles, peaks and ridges of red granite with typical Mediterranean vegetation. This unique place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, amidst the scents of the maquis, with its maritime pines, arbutus, juniper and agaves, will leave you with memories of a fabulous getaway.

Highlights

Sea and Mountain
Luggage access
Point to point - 3 days walking
** or *** Hotels
Start in Evisa and end in Piana

Duration

4 days / 3 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

Day 1

Start of your stay in Evisa

Check-in at your accommodation. Depending on your arrival time, you can take a walk in the Aïtone forest and swim in the natural pools.

Night

Night in Evisa

Day 2

From Evisa to Porto

The route follows the old mule track through the Spelunca gorges in the heart of a pink granite massif: a spectacular sight. It crosses the river several times on ancient Genoese bridges, passes through the typical village of Ota and reaches Porto by road.

2024: Due to the damages caused by the severe storms in November 2023 the upper part of the Spelunca Valley is not accessible, a transfer will take you to the lower part in the morning from where you will be able to hike to Porto via Ota.

Distance

13 km

Duration

5h30

Ascent / descent

+200 m / -1000 m

Night

Night in Porto

Day 3

From Porto to Piana

The trail leaves Porto along its pebble beach and gradually rises above the gulf, offering superb views of the Scandola reserve and Capu Ceninu. You will then arrive in the calanques of Piana, a UNESCO-listed site, shaped by erosion into astonishing forms.

Distance

12 km

Duration

5h00

Altitude

+520 m / -140 m

Night

Night in Piana

Day 4

Piana

Holiday ends after breakfast in Piana. For those wishing to stay in Piana, we suggest a swim in the Ficaghjola cove, a small cove of white sand. Surrounded by mountains, this is a very picturesque spot.

Distance

5 km

Duration

3h00

Ascent / descent

+450 m / -450 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 October. 2 persons minimum.

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

Pick a date

Price includes

Half-board accommodation, luggage transport, travel dossier with A4 copies of IGN maps, walking notes and access to our guidance application.

Price does not include

Drinks, picnics, 5€ / person reservation fee, insurance, visits to sites and transfers not included in the programme, guide.

Supplements/Discounts

Supplement higher hotel category: €70/person (April, October) and €120/person (May, June, July, August and September )

Supplement return to Evisa by taxi at the end of your stay: €160 / transfer for 2 to 4 people

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.

Reduction: Without luggage assistance – please contact us

Group discount

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

Technical informations

Starts

At your accommodation in Evisa. If you arrive by car, you can park your car at your hotel in Evisa and return by taxi at the end of your stay. Access by bus from Ajaccio, please contact us.

Ends

At your accommodation in Piana after breakfast. Return by scheduled bus from Ajaccio, please contact us.

Access

Ajaccio ferry station or airport.

Accommodation

Hotel in double/ twin rooms: 1 night in ** Hotel (Evisa) and 2 nights in *** Hotels ( Porto and Piana).
Superior category hotels available at extra cost.
Single room supplement to be requested when booking.

Meal

Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam).
Evening meal, often based on local specialities, including starter, main course and dessert.

Number of participants

Reservations for minimum of 2 participants.

Level

Moderate, path with few technical difficulties

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

Only your personal belongings for the day and your picnic. Luggage is transported by vehicle. If you wish to carry your own belongings (bag version), please contact us for a reduction.

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:

Pictures
of the holidays

Reviews for Minitrip Calanques de Piana

23 reviews

(4.1)

Well-organised Evisa Piana walking holiday. Corsica Aventure team available to meet our expectations and additional requests. Superb holiday....

Dylan 15/09/2023Minitrip Calanques de Piana

Impeccable organisation: customer-focused staff and organisation: everything is done to make your stay perfect!...

Bryce 17/07/2023Minitrip Calanques de Piana

We loved our stay in Corsica. Everything was perfect. We would recommend this holiday without hesitation.

Alison 12/06/2023Minitrip Calanques de Piana

This free-roaming package perfectly matched our expectations. You go at your own pace, and the constraints are minimal....