Hiking on Cap Corse: the undiscovered north
Cap Corse is the narrow, mountainous finger that extends some 40 kilometres into the sea from Bastia. Most tourists drive past along the coastal road, but on foot you discover a completely different Cap Corse: abandoned villages, old mills, Genoese towers, and panoramas where you can see the Tuscan archipelago in the distance.
The area has an impressive network of 18 themed village walks, brought together under the name "Cap Corse Inconnu" (the unknown Cap Corse). All well waymarked with yellow markers, all suitable for the whole family.
The village walks: compact and surprising
The walks around the villages of Cap Corse are short (1 to 2.5 hours) and easy, but surprisingly rich in culture and nature. Each trail has its own theme.
Some of the finest:
- Barrettali — "The Annunziata path" (1h30, 1.9 km): past a Genoese bridge and a seaside cemetery that speaks to the strong bond between the Capcorsins and the sea
- Nonza — "The terraces and the sea" (1h, 1.5 km): descent to the famous black beach and back up via restored steps, with the citron as its theme
- Centuri — "The sheepfolds with sea views" (2h, 4.4 km): through the maquis to traditional sheepfolds, with stunning coastal panoramas
- Rogliano — "On the edge of time" (2h, 3.7 km): a walk past chapels, a Genoese tower, and a medieval castle with views of the Tuscan islands
- Sisco — "Meadows, forests, and stones" (up to 2h30, 5.5 km): through the valley with the beautifully listed village of Teghje
The Sentier des Douaniers: the classic
The Customs Path is the best-known hike on Cap Corse. This coastal trail runs from Macinaggio to Centuri along the northern tip of the peninsula. You walk past unspoilt bays, Genoese towers, and wild cliffs.
- Distance: approximately 26 km
- Duration: 1 to 2 days
- Difficulty: moderate
- Starting point: harbour of Macinaggio
Climbing the peaks
For those seeking more of a challenge, Cap Corse also offers mountain hikes to summits above 1,000 metres. The Cima di e Follicie (1,324 m) and Le Stellu (1,310 m) reward you with panoramic views over both coasts and the Mediterranean Sea.
Insider tip Cap Corse is fantastic in spring and autumn. In May and June the maquis is in bloom; in September and October the light is incredibly beautiful and the trails are virtually deserted.
Practical info
- Footwear: good hiking boots, even for the short walks (leave the flip-flops behind)
- Parking: each village has a car park indicated on the route descriptions
- Access: all starting points are along the D80 (coastal road) or the village roads that branch off from it
- Route descriptions: a PDF with a detailed map and description is available for each village walk
Cap Corse is one of the least visited parts of Corsica. That's precisely what makes it so special to hike there.