Mare a Mare South: Porto Vecchio - Propriano

Arrive into Porto Vecchio, a delightful and chic town perched above a beautiful Golf. Porto Vecchio is lively in summer and known for its beaches that are out of town but the old town is worth a wander and is great for a pre-trail night. Night in a 3* hotel in Porto Vecchio on B&B basis.

Your route starts in the countryside around Porto Vecchio after a short transfer to Alzu di Gallina, the beginning of the trail, avoiding lots of road walking around the town. Walking through the maquis, you then reach the pines of the Ospédale forest, climbing to the village of Ospedale, before finding the Cartalavonu plateau (1020 m). Night in dorms of 6 (or simple rooms) on a half board basis at the Refuge.

Walking time: 3h00. Distance: 10km
Altitude gain & loss: +1020m, -25m.

The trail continues uphill passing a beautiful viewpoint, la Vacca Morta, over the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio and the Ospédale lake as well as the west coast, your final destination.
After passing over the Col de Mela, you discover the charming little village of Carbini, with its famous San Giovanni Roman church. You then head onwards to the village of Levie in the heart of the Alta Rocca. Night in dorms for 4 (or bedrooms) in the Gite de Levie or a hotel option with an additional transfer to San Gavino, 5 minutes drive away.

Walking time: 5h00 Distance: 14km
Altitude gain & loss: +585m, -1000m.

The path leaves Levie and takes you through the woods towards the magical archeological site of Cucuruzzu. Cucurruzzu is a landscape of mossy boulders and woodland that is a fortress dating from the Bronze age, it is well worth the detour (4€ per person to visit). After an easy walk to Quenza, you leave the village and hike onto the edge of the plateau of Cuscione and the hamlet of Ghjallicu. You then descend through the maquis and pass by the shepherds’ huts of Lavu Donacu. The route soon opens out to a magnificent open trail all the way to Serra di Scopamene, the highest village in the Alta Rocca. En route you can visit the Curcuirpula Bronze age fort and its panoramic view point over the whole area. Night in a dorm of 6+ (gite) or a chambre d'hote in the village.

Walking time: 6h00. Distance: 18 km.
Altitude gain & loss: +900m, -630m.

The trail leaves the Serra di Scopamene along a cobbled mule path passing the village’s old chestnut mill and terraced fields - testimant to the agro-pastoral past. In the shade of oak trees and thick maquis, you can take a dip in the river while enjoying your surroundings. Your walk continues in this rolling landscape to the col de Tavara and the hamlet of Altagène, where you can enjoy the work of a local sculpteur. You drop down at the end of the day to the olive groves of Santa Lucia di Tallano where you will spend the night in either dorms (4 personnes) in the gite or a room in the village.

Walk: about 4h00. Distance: 10.5km
Altitude gain & loss: +400m, -775m.

After savouring the subtle charms of Santa Lucie and its famous olive oil, you now gently walk to the bridge over the Rizzanese River, and then uphill to the the Col d’Altanaria. The village of Fozzano comes into sight against the backdrop of the gulf of Valinco. In Fozzano, discover the village that was home to Colomba, celebrated in Mérimée’s novel. Taxi at the end of the hike to Propriano or Porto Pollo. Your trip ends after the transfer in Propriano. Extra nights possible in Propriano or Porto Pollo.

Approx Walking time: 4h30. Distance: 12km
Altitude gain and loss: +575m, -589m.