The Mare a Mare South is one of the most famous hiking trails in Corsica.
It takes you from one coast of the island to the other, i.e. from Porto Vecchio to Propriano.
This hike will allow you to soak up the atmosphere and the culture of the mountainous villages of Alta Roca.
You will penetrate deep into the maquis and hundred year old oak and chestnut forests, cross brooks and rivers where you can go for a swim.
And, enthralled by these magnificent landscapes, you will forget your everyday life.
Baggage transfer available, information at each gîte.
DETAILSÂ
DAY 1 : FROM PORTO-VECCHIO TO CARTALAVONU
Walking time: about 5 hours.
Your holiday begins in Porto-Vecchio depending on time of arrival.
After leaving the town you will walk uphill towards the mountains, on a trail that will take you through the villages of Alzu di Gallina and Ospédale.
You will then wander up through the maquis and pine trees until you reach the Cartalavonu plateau at 1020m altitude.
DAY 2 : FROM CARTALAVONU TO LEVIE
Walking time: about 5 hours. .
The trail leads northward and offers magnificent views of the Lake of Ospédale, which is surrounded by a pine tree forest.
From the vacca morta Pass you will be able to see at one glance the Gulf of Valincu, the villages of Alta Rocca and the famous «Aiguilles de Bavella».
DAY 3 : FROM LEVIE À SERRA TO SCOPAMENA
Walking time: about 6 hours.
The trail takes you first through an oak tree forest, then continues between huge granite blocks to the Chapel of Saint Laurent, close by are the famous archaeological sites such as Cucuruzzu dating from the Bronze Age and now declared a UNESCO world heritage site.
You will then pass by a deer park on your way to Quenza from where you will take the path leading on to the hamlet of Jallicu.
You will continue your way through the maquis as far as the sheep pens in Lavu Donacu from where you will then go to your gîte for the night – and during this whole stretch you will never lose sight of the «aiguilles de Bavella».
DAY 4 : FROM SERRA DI SCOPAMENA TO SANTA LUCIA DI TALLANO
Walking time: about 5 hours..
You will leave the village under chestnut and oak trees and walk past an old windmill.
After Campu the path crosses the Rizzanese. River and leads downhill towards Santa Lucia di Tallano, a lovely mountain village with typical granite houses.
DAY 5 : FROM SANTA LUCIA DI TALLANO TO BURGO
Walking time: about 6 hours
On this last stage you will pass through Loreto di Tallano and the Altanaria ruins. After one more view of Bavella and the villages of Alta Rocca, you will cross two ravines and then arrive in Fozzano. Here you can take a look at the famous tour 15th century tower before visiting the famous tomb of Colomba, the heroine of Mérimées novel of the same name.
