From the mountains to the sea – Mare è Monti north
Hiking Collection by Julien Harté
10
days
2-7 h
/ day
76.1 mi
19,650 ft
20,350 ft
Corsica is a true natural paradise. This unique island rises in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, its impressive mountains forming its character. Nicknamed ‘the island of beauty’, it’s a fantastic playground for hikers and nature lovers.
The GR20 is the most famous trail on the island and perhaps even in the whole of France. Yet Corsica also has lesser-known trails that are no less spectacular. In this Collection, I take you to the north of the island to discover the Mare è Monti, which means ‘sea and mountains’ in Corsican. The ten stages between Calenzana and Cargèse fully justify this name.
Throughout the journey, you move between land and sea. In turn, the high mountains and Mediterranean seascapes offer remarkable views. Combining their assets and beauty, the trail is sure to get under your skin.
Most accommodation options are open in early April and close around the end of September. This is the ideal period to undertake this adventure. I highly recommend booking lodgings in advance. The small hamlets along the route have limited spaces. Wild camping outside campsites and designated areas is also strictly forbidden in Corsica.
Sturdy walking shoes are necessary to overcome the rocky sections. I also recommend you pack plenty of water and spare food.
The start of the route is in the village of Calenzana, 13 kilometres (8 mi) from Calvi. It can be reached by taxi or a 30-minute bus. In Cargèse, at the end of your journey, buses run to the cities of Porto and Ajaccio.
You can also check out the other part of this Collection, "Mare è Mont south": komoot.com/fr-fr/collection/2049376/des-plages-et-des-cretes-mare-e-monti-sud.
Enjoy your adventure!
On The Map
Do it yourself
Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full Tour below as a template.
Last updated: April 29, 2023
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
Tours
- 04:027.33 mi1.8 mph1,900 ft1,025 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
At the start of your adventure you may come across a few people. Indeed, the first kilometers take the same path as the GR20.
Immediately after leaving the village, the path rises and you quickly have a nice view of Calenzana. The climb continues up to the bocca u Corsu (“Bocca” means pass in Corsican…
by Julien Harté
- 07:0510.2 mi1.4 mph2,300 ft3,800 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
After warming up the day before, this stage is a little more intense but well worth it.
You start the day by plunging immediately into the mysterious forest of Bonifatu. This invites you to climb gradually to Bocca Bonassa. This pass rewards you for your efforts with a splendid view of the Bonifatu nature…
by Julien Harté
Sign Up To Discover Places Like This
Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.
- 03:127.02 mi2.2 mph700 ft900 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
For the first time, this new stage will gradually take you from a mountainous valley to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
The trail begins by meandering through the majestic Fango Valley. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its biosphere, it enchants at every turn. The many natural pools…
by Julien Harté
- 04:297.90 mi1.8 mph2,350 ft2,450 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The fourth stage of your adventure has the particularity of taking you from sea to sea while crossing the mountain. More precisely, you will pass from the Gulf of Galéria where you start the stage, to that of Girolata, which concludes it.
The route begins with a rapid ascent to a small lake which enjoys…
by Julien Harté
- 03:436.09 mi1.6 mph2,600 ft1,525 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
This is one of the most demanding stages of the Mare è Monte Nord. The route begins by going up the beach that runs along the bay of Girolata.
You leave the village by taking a small coastal path. By meandering over rocky terrain, it offers beautiful openings on the gulf. Quickly, you reach the paradise…
by Julien Harté
- 02:324.43 mi1.7 mph1,075 ft1,900 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The path that connects Curzu to Serriera makes it one of the shortest stages of your adventure. Indeed, only eight kilometers separate the two small villages perched in the mountain.
The route, relatively low in altitude and kilometers, consists of taking a path that generally runs along the bay of Porto…
by Julien Harté
- 05:076.76 mi1.3 mph2,950 ft2,100 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
This new stage offers a very nice route to reach the authentic village of Ota from Serriera.
The first part of the route consists of taking a climb that winds through a new, very dense forest. You evolve on the edge of the integral biological reserve of Sabinetto.
A few meters after reaching the highest…
by Julien Harté
- 04:107.71 mi1.8 mph2,425 ft1,050 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
From the depths of the Spelunca gorges to the heights of Marignana, this stage has some great surprises in store for you.
Leaving the village of Ota, the route descends to join the river Porto which flows into the gulf of the same name. There follows a pleasant path immersed in the surprising gorges of…
by Julien Harté
- 06:3510.6 mi1.6 mph2,125 ft2,550 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The penultimate stage of your adventure invites you to immerse yourself in nature. Note that this is the longest stage of your journey. I recommend that you take something to eat along the way.
Leaving Marignana, you plunge into a chestnut forest which borders the path. This passes under the Santa Degna…
by Julien Harté
- 04:348.05 mi1.8 mph1,250 ft3,025 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
This is the final stage of your incredible adventure on the Mare è Monti Nord.
Despite everything, it is one of the longest in terms of distance. But rest assured, the descending profile and the call of the sea will rush you to the final destination of this odyssey: Cargèse.
A few moments after departure…
by Julien Harté
Like this Collection?
Collection Stats
- Tours10
- Distance76.1 mi
- Duration45:30 h
- Elevation19,650 ft20,350 ft
You Might Also Like
Hiking Collection by Julien Harté
Hiking Collection by Vanessa Kopp
Bike Touring Collection by tristanbogaard
Hiking Collection by Fred Urrutia