Corsica’s rich and varied vegetation. Corsica has a rich and varied vegetation. The maquis or ‘macchia’ is the name given to the scrubland that covers the hills.  Amongst the plants that are found in the maquis, 78 of them are endemic. You can find in abundance, tree heather, the strawberry tree and myrtle. Tree heather,… Read more »

Above Ajaccio « If you surrender to the wind, you can ride it… » The Cinaruggia is a great little summit walk, or a good cross country run. It’s right on our doorstep, I like pairing it up with a swim afterwards in one of the nearby creeks.

A short break in Ajaccio out of season Corsica Adventure’s first guide, Mark Smith, hopped on and off flights from Peru, making his way gradually closer to me in Corsica. I was due to pick him up in 24 hours at Ajaccio airport and was looking forward to spending time with  him.

What makes a great guide A guide can make or break your trip.  Most of the time they are “exceptional” and will “surpass expectations.” Apart from their mountain competence, they are a pleasure to be with. They are friendly and caring people who enjoy the social aspect of the job.

The Corte Arch or « l’arcu di u Sandulaghju » The first Sunday in September at 9h00, will see the depart of the Corte arch race.  It leaves from the town and heads up into the mountains above, to the famous rock formation, known as ‘the arch.’

This summer has seen the launch of an official long distance cycle route in Corsica, called the GT20. The island already boasts a long distance hiking trail that has worldwide notoriety, so it seemed only fitting that there should be a long distance cycle route to compliment it.

Noel Donati was in his mid thirties, running a bar in Marseille, when the opportunity came up, to take a change of direction. He had wanted to return to his Corsican homeland for some time.  When a cousin told him aboutopening a cabin called Vachaghja, he seized the opportunity.

The GR20 does not boast an elaborate cuisine but you won’t go hungry! This is the hearty meal that is served at Usciolu refuge. A mix of spiral pasta, carrots and meat. If you want to eat gluten free, I would advise bringing a few of your own products to supplement the meals.  Terrain You… Read more »

The itinerary is short, dramatic and alpine.  It leads swiftly up to a summit with a memorable panorama, offering a view of the island’s outline in the sea. A bucolic shepherd’s cabin, a taste of the GR20, sun baked rocks, swimming in a giant rock pool at the Cascade des Anglais.