Hiking in Porto-Vecchio is one of the most beautiful and varied in Corsica: in the mountains or by the sea, for a stroll or a trek, there’s something for everyone.
Set at the head of a bay, on a jagged coastline dotted with superb beaches, Porto-Vecchio is a lively town in season, inviting you to relax. Small, easy paths allow you to stroll against the backdrop of the Mediterranean, with breaks for swimming.
Above Porto-Vecchio, the scenery changes: the relief quickly gains in altitude, and this is the domain of the Corsican mountains, the Alta Rocca, with its scents of nature and its eternal serenity, with magnificent vistas of the sea… It’s easy to understand where the nickname Île de Beauté (Island of Beauty) comes from, as you follow some of the most beautiful hikes in Porto-Vecchio!
1. The summit of Punta Vacca Morta
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: about 1 hour
- Distance: 3.7 km
- Height difference: 289 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
Let’s get right to the heart of the matter, with an uphill hike in Porto-Vecchio: the summit of Punta Vacca Morta, or Pointe de la Vache Morte. We’ll stick with the Corsican version, whose trail begins at the Cartalavonu refuge: an out-and-back hike, it requires a bit of effort, with some steeper sections, particularly at the very end.
It’s the price you have to pay to enjoy the finest view over the bay of Porto-Vecchio and the Alta Rocca massif: a 360° panorama from the summit of Punta Vacca Morta!
2. Piscia di Gallu waterfall trail
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: about 1 hour
- Distance: 5 km
- Height difference: 194 m
- Difficulty: Easy
- See the route
After the Vache Morte, it’s on to the Pisse du Coq! The Corsican shepherds who roamed the Alta Rocca were quite imaginative… Another lovely hike from Porto-Vecchio on the mountain side, where the Piscia di Gallu waterfall is an impressive 70 m high.
The path is not long, but a little rough in places, before reaching this must-see site. A must-see in spring, when the waterfall’s flow is at its strongest.
3. The Aiguilles de Bavella tour
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Running time: approx. 3 hours 40 minutes
- Distance: 10.9 km
- Ascent: 749 m
- Difficulty: Difficult
- See the route
The Alta Rocca offers many wonders to discover while hiking in Porto-Vecchio: the Aiguilles de Bavella are another emblematic example, and are among the most beautiful sites in the whole of Corsica.
The tour of the Aiguilles de Bavella is a fairly technical trail, the difficulty of which should not be underestimated, particularly in the heat. On the other hand, you’ll be amply rewarded with magnificent scenery all along the way.
4. A Mare a Mare Sud stage
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Running time: approx. 3h35
- Distance: 14.2 km
- Height difference: 1,069 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
A hike in Porto Vecchio that crosses Corsica from east to west in 5-6 days, the Mare a Mare Sud starts (or ends) directly above the town.
The first stage is a beautiful ascent to L’Ospedale, offering spectacular views over the bay of Porto-Vecchio and the Mediterranean as you gain altitude. You can continue on to Propriano if you feel like it!
5. The Rondinara tour
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: less than 1 hour
- Distance: 2.4 km
- Height difference: 41 m
- Difficulty: Easy
- See the route
The degree of difficulty of this Porto-Vecchio hike is minimal: it’s all about stretching your legs!
But don’t forget to set aside some time to fully appreciate the view of the Corsican coastline and the Mediterranean Sea from the 56 m high promontory. And don’t forget to set aside some time to take to the water from the small beaches you’ll come across along the way…
6. Cavu Valley
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Running time: approx. 2 hours 40 minutes
- Distance: 10.5 km
- Height difference: 468 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
We continue our hikes in the mountains of Porto-Vecchio, this time exploring the Cavu valley.
The first part of the trail runs alongside the pleasantly refreshing Cavu river, with its polished rocks making it very photogenic, before climbing back up through the scrubland to gain some height (be careful, it’s uphill!), and enjoy the view of the surrounding area. The return loop takes you back to your starting point.
7. Zonza and Quenza via the Alta Rocca trails
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Running time: approx. 3 hours 40 minutes
- Distance: 14.3 km
- Difference in altitude: 540 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
Many of Porto-Vecchio’s hikes take you through the Alta Rocca massif, as on this lovely route that crosses Zonza and Quenza: two stops for a break on a terrace, and to enjoy the peace and quiet of Corsican villages.
The path, largely forested, winds under the trees and crosses the river twice to keep your feet cool.
8. The Trou de la Bombe from the Col de Bavella
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: about 1h30
- Distance: 6.1 km
- Height difference: 180 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
Below the Aiguilles de Bavella, this interesting hike in Porto-Vecchio offers an alternative, also starting from the Col de Bavella. You’ll pass the pretty Chapelle Sainte-Marie as you follow a shady path through the jagged rocks of the Alta Rocca. The scenery is breathtaking.
Warning: the fork to the Trou de la Bombe, an optional out-and-back route, can be a little tricky, with a 3 m vertical bar to cross.
9. Fautea Tower
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: approx. 1h45
- Distance: 6.6 km
- Height difference: 116 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
A pleasant hike from Porto-Vecchio to combine the pleasures of walking and swimming. The entire protected Fautea site is classified Natura 2000. It’s here that the Cavu river, which we’ve already come across earlier in this selection, flows into the sea.
The path winds along the seafront until it reaches the Genoese tower of Fautea, offering a beautiful panorama. Two beaches are on the hiking itinerary: the small beach of Fautea, and the beach of Lavu Santu, both of which are superb!