The Upper Corsica is a unique playground for mountain hiking enthusiasts. Here, peaks plunge into the sea, ridges are sculpted by the wind, and trails traverse wild, raw, and spectacular nature. Just a few hours from the mainland, you'll find landscapes of rare diversity. Corsican pine forests, high-altitude lakes, arid plateaus, hilltop villages, and secret valleys where the voices of the maquis still echo.
Hiking in Corsica is also a matter of rhythm and season.summer, crushed by heat, makes the effort difficult and the trails dry.winter, harsher than one might imagine, covers the high massifs with snow. It is at spring, when everything blooms, and at theautumn, when the light becomes softer, when the Corsican mountains reveal themselves in all their splendor.
And then there is the welcome. Frank, direct, often warm. After a day of walking, we finally meet around a plate of wild boar stew, of Corsican cheeses powerful, of artisanal delicatessen or a piece of fiadone very fresh. These are the moments that anchor the memory, beyond the sight.
In this article, I share my five favorite routes in Haute-Corse, accessible by car from Bastia. Day hikes chosen for their beauty, diversity, and the emotion they provide — always on foot, often away from the crowds, and never far from reality. Don't forget: if you like the photos on this page, don't hesitate to take a look at the section Pictures – and why not buy a poster of Corsican landscapes?
Hike to the tip of Cap Corse from Macinaggio
Cap Corse has a charm and character that can't be found anywhere else. Particularly in spring, the soft green of the landscape will surprise you: it's a region that's rather wet with rain! The vegetation inland is therefore more of a jungle than a scrubland.
The hike in Corsica that I'm suggesting follows the coastal path from the village of Macinaggio. It's a 1-hour drive from Bastia. You'll find superb, wild beaches accessible only by this small footpath. It's possible to do a very long hike (why not over several days) by following this entire path that runs along the entire cape to the port of Centuri, but you can also go for a day trip and make a round trip. The route presents no technical difficulties.
Along the way, you'll discover one of the oldest chapels in Corsica, hidden away in the maquis, as well as a Genoese tower with its feet in the water. I recommend spring or autumn for this route. The heat can make it unpleasant in summer (although it's always possible to cool off with a well-timed swim!)
To find the route and GPX track, see my page hiking in Cap CorseThe route I describe on this page is a 2-day hike with a tent bivouac. But you can do the first part as a round trip if you want to hike for just one day. It's also the most beautiful part, so you won't miss anything 😉
Lake Nino
Further inland, there are numerous hikes to be found in the mountains of Haute-Corse. Here, you'll find yourself in rocky landscapes and pine forests, a far cry from the seaside atmosphere of the previous hike. Lake Nino is a stop on the legendary GR20. For me, it's one of the most beautiful moments of this trek, which I completed 10 years ago.
It is possible to go on a day hike in a loop to see this famous lake and its “pozzines”, a kind of small alpine ponds characteristic of the high-altitude marshes in Corsica. The hike I describe climbs along a poorly marked path (take a GPS or a good map with you!). The route is not technically difficult but you need to have good orientation as well as experience hiking on rocky terrain. The lake will be the ideal place for a picnic before descending by a well-marked route, for a total of 900m of elevation gain. Do not do this hike too early in the season, as there could be too much snow at altitude.
To find the GPX track of the route, go to my page hike to Lake NinoThe starting point is located on the road that passes Lake Calacuccia, 1.5 hours from Bastia. Don't forget to bring good walking shoes and enough water for the day.
Mount San Petrone
We're sticking with the theme of a hike in Alpine Corsica with this route that climbs to San Petrone. It's a fairly central peak at 1767m above sea level with a magnificent view of the mountains of Haute-Corse. I personally hiked it in April, and it was a bit early since there was still quite a bit of snow near the summit (not enough to turn back, however).
The trail starts at the Prato Pass, 1 hour 10 minutes from Bastia. It passes through beautiful conifer and beech forests before ending with a final, steeper climb over open, rocky terrain, with a total elevation gain of 800 meters. The end of the route is a bit steep but presents no technical difficulties. On the way back, you can stop at the Prato Pass inn, which is not bad at all, or at a restaurant in the small, very isolated villages along the road.
To find the route and GPX, go to my article hiking in San Petrone.
The Cap Corse ridge trail
We return to Cap Corse for this superb, little-known hike through the mountains in the center of the cape. The trail starts in the valley behind Sisco, a 30-minute drive from Bastia. The trail climbs to Cima di E Follicie (1,324 m), one of the highest points in Cap Corse, with an elevation gain of 1,100 m. The most remarkable feature is the sea view on both sides of the mountain range that forms the cape.
The route climbs along a track to the Col Saint-Jean pass, then follows the ridge path itself, which is indicated by fairly discreet markings. It presents no technical difficulties but can be difficult to follow in places. You can hike it from spring onwards. Indeed, there is no shade along the path, so hot summer days are not recommended.
To find the GPX track and the description of the route, you can go to the topo ofAltituderando.
The Gulf of Saint-Florent and the Agriates Desert
We finish with a great hiking classic in Haute-Corse, the Agriates Desert near Saint-Florent. It's a 40-minute drive from Bastia. It's a coastal hike that crosses this incredibly wild and unpopulated area between Saint-Florent and Ogliastro. The entire trek can be completed in two or three days, but you can also do a simple round trip on the first part in just one day. It's an ideal route to relax a little while swimming along all the magnificent and secluded beaches you come across.
The route follows the coastline, alternating between stretches along beaches. It presents no technical difficulties, but you must ford a river after a few kilometers of walking. The crossing can be more or less easy depending on the rainfall during the season.
To find the GPX and route description, you can go to Altituderando.
Conclusion: hiking in Corsica differently
These five hikes are just a glimpse of the richness and diversity of the Upper CorsicaEach itinerary offers a different facet of the island: from windswept ridges to deep forests, from peaceful lakes to heavenly coasts. Corsica cannot be summed up—it must be traversed, slowly, on foot, and held for a long time.
To extend these moments of walking, I invite you to discover my Corsican mountain photographs. Photos taken during my hikes, often in the morning or evening light. You will find some of the landscapes evoked here, captured in their calm or their power.
FR 
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