Corsica is a paradise for nature lovers and thrill-seekers. Discover the 9 best outdoor activities to do in Corsica.
Can you smell the air full of the biting scent of the maquis? Can you also distinguish the scent of aromatic plants? Can you smell the scent of orange and olive trees on the vast plains? Can you see the winding road, rising slowly in the hollows of the limestone folds? Can you hear the crash of the waves on the rocky promontories overlooking the deep blue sea? Ah… Corsica makes you dream! But there’s no better way to explore it than with a bit of practice. Discover Corsica and its intoxicating nature. Here are the 9 best outdoor activities to do in Corsica. On land, sea or in the air, the choice is yours.
1. Canyoning and rafting
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Crystal-clear pools and thundering waterfalls beckon. Dive into Corsican canyons and discover their incredible natural playgrounds. Slide down water-cut slides, abseil and jump from limestone diving boards. This sensational activity is open to all, with courses at different levels.
Alternatively, you can take a trip on an inflatable boat through some of Corsica’s most beautiful basins. Discover rafting and let the crystal-clear rivers get your adrenalin pumping!
The best-known canyons for outdoor activities in Corsica are nearAjaccio and Bavella.
2. Via ferrata
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The adventurous nature lover in you will love the Via Ferrata. On the program? Monkey bridges, ladders and footbridges, suspended from the slopes of sun-bleached mountains. Push yourself to your limits on routes that allow you to rub shoulders with the island’s intense terrain.
Among the most beautiful spots, discover the Vallée d’Asco in Haute-Corse and the Vallée de Prunelli in South Corsica. The former has a unique face, shaped by natural pools and opalescent torrents. The second takes you to the heart of the sharp mountains that surround Lac de Tolla. You’ll soar above the waters and finally discover the breathtaking panorama of the Gulf of Ajaccio. This outdoor activity in Corsica is open to all levels.
3. ATV
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Get on your mountain bike and take to the wild tracks ofCorsica. Have you heard of the GT20? This huge cycling itinerary takes you across Corsica from north to south. But there’s so much more to choose from! North, south, along the coastline with its crystal-clear beaches or on the edge of the wild mountains… Corsica is criss-crossed with an infinite number of mountain bike trails. For the more adventurous, the Niolu or the Cuscione plateau are ideal.
4. Kitesurfing and wakeboarding
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Corsica’s waters capture the imagination of travellers from all over the world. But Corsica’s beautiful white sandy beaches are not just an invitation to relax. They also offer a whole host of outdoor activities in Corsica. Discover the thrills of kitesurfing and wakeboarding, for example. These sports are a delight for fans of intense emotions in the depths of the waves. The shores of Ile Rousse, Porto Vecchio, Calvi, Bonifacio or Calcatoggio, Corsica is overflowing with ideal spots for these water sports.
5. Climbing
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Would you like to get to grips with the mountains? Corsica is an extraordinary playground for climbing enthusiasts. From the top, the landscapes take on an even greater dimension. The fragrant, spectacular mountains offer all kinds of routes.
To the north, Balagne offers the sea, typical suspended villages and large granite boulders, while the Restonica valley and Corte offer numerous climbing routes ideal for beginners. Recharge your batteries amid pine forests and chiselled ridges. Alternatively, near Bavella, you can climb some of Corsica’s most mythical granite peaks and cols, and Punta, another of Corsica’s climbing sanctuaries.
Azure seas, scrubland, granite, iodine, sunshine and piles of boulders of a rare aestheticism. In short, among the best outdoor activities in Corsica, climbing is everywhere.
6. Hiking
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It’s true that when we say « hiking in Corsica », we inevitably think of the legendary GR20. This trek is one of the most beautiful on the planet and attracts walkers from all over the world. It’s just a few hours from home! Of course, hiking in Corsica isn’t just for the experienced. There are many more accessible trails.
- The letter carrier’s path and its breathtaking views of the seascape. It also takes you along the old-fashioned lanes of the village of Girolata.
- The Calanques de Piana offer superlative landscapes. Our hikes will lead you to encounter gigantic and majestic geological phenomena.
- The customs path at the tip of Cap Corse runs along a fantastic coastline. You’ll cross the famous Agriates Desert, dotted with wild, rocky areas, against a backdrop of heavenly beaches.
- As for Cap Corse, it offers a huge range of hikes for all levels. One thing’s for sure: every route is picturesque, enchanting and steeped in history.
- Bonifacio, a town famous for its ramparts, is the starting point for many trails. Take in the panoramic views along the old Genoese roads lined with low walls.
- The Pozzi valley: a mythical Corsican landscape. Wander through ancient glacial lakes and thick layers of emerald grass. Straddle the small crystalline streams that weave their way to the natural pools: the Pozzi.
7. Diving and snorkeling
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One of the best outdoor activities in Corsica is discovering the seabed and its sparkling fauna. In the heart of the Mediterranean, the Isle of Beauty is surrounded by preserved seabeds littered with secrets. Discover eternally buried shipwrecks, as well as nature reserves such as Scandola, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Corsica is rich in contrasts and varied relief for marine observation enthusiasts. These gifts of nature flourish at the foot of steep, wild cliffs. Visibility is remarkable. The most sumptuous bays stretch around Calvi, Ajaccio, Scandola, Sagone, Île Rousse and the Bloody Islands.
8. Kayak
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As an island, Corsica inevitably places a premium on water sports. So why not try your hand at kayaking? This outdoor activity in Corsica gives you access to unsuspected nooks and crannies. Sail peacefully along translucent waters, punctuated by secret coves.
On a gentle, luminescent sea or along beautiful rivers, the voluptuous sensations of kayaking are incomparable. There are plenty of places to paddle all over Corsica. You can spend a day or several days on a touring trip.
9. Paragliding
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Let’s finish with our heads in the clouds… The sensations of paragliding are unique and offer a grandiose sense of freedom. The air is as silent as it is soothing. Treat yourself to privileged viewpoints. There are numerous paragliding take-off points all over the island. From the Ajaccio region to Cervione, via Balagne and Saint Florent, you’ll find that the island is even more impressive from above.
If, among the outdoor activities on offer in Corsica, you’re more inclined to take to the skies, why not try a parachute jump or a microlight tour? Each one more spectacular than the next, these baptisms will fill your eyes and your heart.