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.

After a challenging walk, what could be better than a hot outdoor bath in a lovely wild setting. The water has a miraculous effect on a tired achy body and brings considerable health benefits. There are about 40 natural hot springs on the island, all of them with a different water.

Not just a hotel, an experience Situated at the entrance of the Restonica Valley (classed as a Grand site de France) the  ‘Dominique Colonna’ hotel nestles  on the banks of a beautiful pounding river.  It is surrounded by a landscape of astonishingly wild beauty.

The difficulty of the GR20 is well known. As well as being prepared physically, you need to choose your equipment really carefully. If you want to get the best out of the experience, make sure you pack the right gear. Travel light, don’t weigh yourself down with a huge backpack. .

Sunday 5th May – The Trail Napoleon at Ajaccio Early Sunday morning in Ajaccio saw the depart of the 19th edition of the Trail Napoleon, a fantastic mountain race that always generates a lot of interest. It set out from the town, famously the birthplace of Napoleon.

Our season opened on the 7th April and our first clients this year had chosen the ‘Mare a Mare North’ itinerary. The uniqueness of this holiday lies in the contrast it offers between the cool, remote mountain interior and the contrasting warmth of the coastal paths.

The Chamonix of Corsica Haut Asco is considered by many as Corsica’s Mecca for mountain sports, historically it has drawn enthusiasts from all over the world. If you are hiking the GR20 you will come across Haut Asco between Carrozu in the north and Tighiettu refuge.