Set in the Mediterranean, 170km from France and 85km from mainland Italy, Corsica has a pleasant Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and moderate dry, clear winters. Corsican active or walking holidays can be great throughout the year as the climate is pleasantly mild in comparison with mainland France and in the 19th Century the British flocked to Corsica to escape the weather in the UK.
As the southernmost part of France, bathing in the warm waters of the Mediterranean, Corsica also has one of the highest sunshine records in France, with around 7.5 hours a day throughout the year, making it the ideal destination for active outdoor adventures.
Our high mountains see significant snow in the winter, generally lasting well into May and even June on the highest slopes. In spring and autumn, the island is at its best, with the colourful, maquis covered hillsides filled with the heady scent of lavender, juniper, myrtle, rosemary and cistus. With bright and sunny days throughout spring, the sea is usually warming up by mid May, making the best months to visit for a summer holiday May to October.
Heat can be a real problem for those not used to it, especially on an active holiday, with temperatures in high summer reaching the mid 30s, even in high mountains.
In Corsica, you can expect to encounter some very wide ranging temperatures. You should be ready for everything, from very hot to very severe cold mountain weather, even in the summer months. Corsica is known for its micro-climates, each valley can be different. The weather is unpredictable and can change very quickly; the mountains generate some very harsh conditions, any time of year.
During the dry and hot summer months, in the event of high winds and certain other climatic conditions, forested areas can be closed to prevent fires. Areas at risk are closed for walkers in order to reduce the high risk to life. Access to these areas is prohibited during a stated time scale which could affect the walking itinerary. On certain routes including the GR20 & Mare e Monti, this could close consecutive stages, and prevent walking. Alternative itineraries may not be available.
Climate in the mountains is alpine rather than Mediterranean and this should be taken into account when packing for your holiday. Corsica is known for its micro climates, each valley can be very different, with the proximity of the mountains and the sea often generating some stormy, unpredictable weather in one valley and not affecting another.
You can check out the daily weather on various websites including Meteo France or Meteo Blue.