3 of the Best Hikes on Corsica · Coastal Cliffs, Mountain Peaks, Forest Waterfalls · 4K Nature Walk

3 of the Best Hikes on Corsica · Coastal Cliffs, Mountain Peaks, Forest Waterfalls · 4K Nature Walk

Hello friends! Welcome to stunning Corsica. I hope you’re wearing your recreation trousers, because we’re about to explore three of Corsica’s most beautiful hikes. We’ll follow dramatic coastlines, scale majestic mountain peaks, and wander through atmospheric forests. Let’s get started! First up is this trek to Girolata. Located on Corsica’s dramatic western coast, Girolata is one of Europe’s most secluded coastal settlements, home to fewer than ten permanent residents. The hamlet features just a handful of stone houses, a small harbour, a 16th-century Genoese watchtower, and a few roaming cows. What sets Girolata apart is that you can only reach it on foot or by sea. No roads, no cars, no buses, and definitely no Amazon deliveries. The only sounds you’ll hear are waves lapping against the rocky shore and the occasional cow’s moo. In summer, small boats bring visitors from nearby Porto, But for the rest of the year, the only reliable way in is the walk we’re taking today. This isolation isn’t accidental–the entire area lies within the Scandola Nature Reserve, one of the last spots in Europe where modern transport simply doesn’t exist. This gorgeous, hidden beach is regularly visited by local cows! They seem to have discovered that seaside holidays aren’t just for humans. These free-ranging animals wander down from the hills to cool off in the Mediterranean, creating one of the most surreal beach scenes you’ll likely witness. Let’s leave them to their impromptu beach party and continue on. And there it is, our first glimpse of Girolata! From this vantage point, the settlement looks straight out of a postcard. Deep-blue Mediterranean waters lap against rugged cliffs, while red-roofed houses cling to the shoreline. This hike is a 9.2km round trip from the Col de la Croix, with a 270m descent on the way there– though these numbers vary depending on which route you take, as the trail splits into upper and lower sections twice. Both trail options are well-marked but rugged, winding through typical Corsican vegetation. Expect loose stones, steep stretches, and breathtaking coastal views that will have you stopping for photos every few minutes. We made it! Girolata has a split personality depending on the time of year. During July and August, the place springs to life: restaurants open their doors, boats arrive throughout the day, and a lively summer buzz fills the air. It’s currently November, and it’s as if someone has flipped a switch– Girolata has returned to its sleepy, almost abandoned state. The handful of year-round residents essentially have this paradise to themselves for eight months of the year, apart from the occasional YouTuber filming a hiking video that will get 250 views at most. Every building in Girolata features the traditional Mediterranean orange roof tiles. What’s especially charming is how these rooftops have remained unchanged for generations, giving the hamlet a timeless quality. It’s not just the beaches that feature wandering cows–they also roam freely through the village! You might spot them lounging near the harbour, meandering between the houses, or simply enjoying the sea breeze. He won’t let me past! I guess this is my life now. Next up is the Aiguilles de Bavella loop. This circular day hike winds among towering granite spires in Corsica’s rugged interior, where nature has carved some impressive rock formations. The route is designed to highlight these needle-like peaks without any technical climbing. We won’t be completing the entire circuit today, but there’s still plenty to enjoy and give you a feel for what makes this place so special. The full loop covers roughly 11.1km, with about 770m of elevation gain. It offers three contrasting landscapes: beginning in dense Corsican pine forest, crossing open granite slabs with panoramic outlooks, and finishing through ancient beech woods that feel almost otherworldly. The path has been set out to reveal the spires from many perspectives, so the scenery keeps shifting as you move along. The route lies in southern Corsica, around 50 km northwest of Porto-Vecchio. This remote mountain zone sits at the crossroads of several major hiking routes, making it a favourite among serious trekkers. The nearest village, Zonza, is a small settlement that acts as the gateway to this wild region. It’s impressive how quickly the landscape shifts–just an hour from Mediterranean beaches, and you’re among jagged peaks that feel more like the Alps. We’re nearing Bocca di u Truvone, the highest point of today’s route at 1,334m above sea level. The final push to the pass is steep and challenging, but it rewards you with sweeping views across the peaks and valleys. Half of the loop overlaps with the legendary GR20. Often called Europe’s toughest long-distance trek, this 180km route runs the entire length of Corsica from north to south, usually taking 12 to 15 days to finish. The GR20 has earned its reputation thanks to unforgiving rocky terrain, dramatic elevation changes, and unpredictable weather. What we’re sampling today offers a taste of what through-hikers endure– though our walk is a pleasant stroll compared to some of the GR20’s most demanding stages! To wrap things up, we have the enchanting trail to Piscia di Ghjaddu Waterfall. We’re in the Ospedale Forest, at the heart of the Alta Rocca region in southern Corsica. This stunning area is home to some of the island’s most beautiful pine forests, all protected within the Regional Natural Park of Corsica. Today, the valley is wrapped in a mystical blanket of fog. On our last hike, we were above the clouds–this time, we’re walking through them! While it hides some of the distant views, the mist transforms the whole experience into something ethereal. Here’s our first proper challenge: crossing the Ruisseau de Petra Plana, the river that feeds into the waterfall system ahead. The crossing can be tricky after heavy rain, but today it’s straightforward! The usual trail is about 4.8km return, with an elevation gain of around 200m. We started from a different point off the D368 but rejoined the main path at the river crossing. As we get closer to the waterfall, you can see how the terrain has shifted to classic Corsican granite– so expect some boulder-hopping and a bit of scrambling across smooth rock faces. The route is well marked with yellow paint blazes, though in places the “path” is simply the most natural line across the stone slabs. Behold the magnificent Cascade de Piscia di Ghjaddu! Access to the base is now restricted for safety reasons, but this viewpoint still provides an excellent look at the 60m waterfall. Thanks for joining us on these hikes around Corsica! Please like and subscribe to explore more places around the world with us 🙂 Until next time!

Three incredible Corsican hikes: coastal cliffs, mountain peaks and forest waterfalls – featuring beach-loving cows, car-free villages, and mystical fog.

▶️ More of our Mediterranean videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkoLegQwxppML4CXw048ikKxumCjRE6eO

🥾 Girolata + Aiguilles de Bavella + Cascade de Piscia di Ghjaddu
📍 Corsica, France
📅 November 2024

🔗 See these hikes on AllTrails:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/france/corse-du-sud/girolata-via-sentier-du-facteur
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/france/corse-du-sud/tour-des-aiguilles-de-bavella
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/france/corse-du-sud/sentier-de-la-cascade-piscia-di-ghjaddu

📖
00:00 – Preview
00:22 – Girolata
16:33 – Aiguilles de Bavella
30:42 – Cascade de Piscia di Ghjaddu

🎥 Shot on DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro in 4K 60fps

🎶 Music from Epidemic Sound
– Free trial: https://share.epidemicsound.com/89c8mn
– Snowlight by DEX 1200: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/Er3ZCAT05K/

#4k #travel #walkingtour #virtualtour #naturewalk #ambience #asmr #france #corsica