Seaside & Mountain Hiking

Start your journey with a ferry arrival in the picturesque village of Bonifacio, classified as a Historical Monument. Your Boundless Journeys guide will meet you at the port to begin your adventure with an introdution to this coastal haven. Bonifacio is a stunning and spectacular town that is bustling during the day but holds a serenity in the early evening. Your afternoon hike is to the spectacular Pertusatu Lighthouse, with expansive views of the Strait of Bonifacio and Sardinia. At seventy feet high, the square tower lighthouse was built in 1844, the second installed on the island. The Pertusatu Cape is known for its striking white cliffs, over three hundred feet high in some places, and well preserved by the Bouches de Bonifacio nature reserve.

On the return, you'll view the fortified town of Bonifacio perched above the sea. This evening, you may enjoy some free time to explore the labyrinth of narrow streets before a wonderful welcome dinner at our seaside hotel.

This morning, we drive north to the region of Sartene, with superb views over the west coast, one of Corsica's most beautiful coastlines. Today you enter a magnificent conservatory of natural Mediterranean landscapes and habitats. The site of Campomoro offers several options—a beautiful hike between the sea, the maquis and fantastically shaped rock formations.

After our hike, we'll settle into the next quintessential seaside Corsican town of Sartène. Sartène is built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Valinco Gulf, offering an exceptional panorama extending to the Bavella Needles. This town is rich with art and history, as you'll witness wandering through the narrow quaint alleys of the old town and medieval quarter. Sites such as Liberation Square, Sainte Marie Church, and the watchtower, the last remnant of the city's 15th-century fortifications, are prominent sites. This evening, we'll enjoy dinner on your own in one of Sartene's many inviting restaurants.

Today, we transfer to the stunning region of Bavella and its famous Aiguilles. We hike on a section of the renowned long distance route, the GR20, to reach the refuge of Paliri for lunch. Here, we'll soak in the extensive mountain views, highlighting why Corsica is known as a "mountain in the sea". If time and energy allow, we may hike further into the Bavella Needles, where you may catch a glimpse of a team of rock climbers. We return on the same route for our drive to the idyllic mountain village of Levie, our home for the next two nights.

Levie (Livia in Corsican) is a village rich in historical and prehistoric sites classified as UNESCO World Heritage. It is defined as the capital of Alta Rocca and extends from the Rizzanese Valley to Pianu di Livia and up to the Cagna Mountains. Levie is a beautiful village with granite houses ideally situated for explorations into the heart of Corsica.

oday you discover the Coscionu plateau. Between pozzines, torrents, moors and pastures, this is a magnificent hike showing another face of Corsica. The Cuscionu Plateau is the only "true" plateau in Corsica. Vast and undulating, crisscrossed by numerous small rivers, it has been the most important summer grazing area for the island's shepherds. Herds of goats and sheep have become scarce and are now replaced by cows, and horses that spend many a a happy summer here.

The striking contrast between the vast green expanses and the granite chaos is characteristic of the plateau. We'll pause during our hike to enjoy a classic picnic with local cheese and charcuterie. After lunch, we return to Levie to visit a Corsican knifemaker, where we'll have the opportunity to learn from a local about this fine craft.
We'll celebrate our Corsica adventure this evening with our final dinner at Auberge A Pignata.

This morning, we'll bid adieu to the mountains of Corsica, and will transfer to the Ajaccio airport for departures. Those who opt to extend their trip may enjoy an extra night or two in this coastal city.

"The Dolce Vita" à l'Ajaccienne, is Corsica's largest city. Nestled in its majestic bay, the city has managed to preserve the sweet Mediterranean way of life without depriving itself of all the benefits of a modern city: café terraces, shaded squares, fine craft shops, white sandy beaches, historic monuments, and flavor-filled markets. With its unique microclimate and beaches right in the city center, it's a genuine seaside resort.