Le Mare à Mare Sud

Discover the Alta Rocca with this must-see hike.

Starting from Porto-Vecchio, the Mare à Mare Sud (from sea to sea) will take you to the other side of Corsica, the gulf of Valincu and Propriano.
This medium-mountain itinerary is an emblematic and unmissable path criss-crossing the Alta Rocca territory. You will reach the most beautiful panoramas of the region and discover deep Corsica.
It will lead you to the heart of the pine, oak and chestnut forests. You will approach a wild fauna and flora, often endemic and preserved. It will also be an opportunity to cross streams and rivers and enjoy refreshing swims.
A trail in the middle of nature, ideal for a sporting holiday with family or friends, accessible almost all year round.

5 days to discover the heart of Southern Corsica

Stage 1: Porto-Vecchio - Cartalavonu (5h walking)

This is the starting point of the Mare à Mare Sud. You will cross the maquis and a forest of maritime pines to reach the plateau of Cartalavonu at 1022m altitude. Don't forget to stop at the Ospedale where a panoramic view of Porto-Vecchio and its gulf will take your breath away.

Stage 2 : Cartalavonu - Levie (5h walk)

This 2nd stage will allow you to discover magnificent viewpoints on the Ospedale dam or the Aiguilles de Bavella. You can make a small diversion via the Punta di a Vacca Morta and enjoy the panorama over the whole of South Corsica.
Don't miss to visit the village of Carbini, its church San Giovanni and its campanile and discover the history of the Giovannali. Levie is also worth the diversion as well as its museum which retraces the history of the first men of the region.

Stage 3: Levie - Serra di Scopamena (6 hours walk)

This time the path will take you through a long-gone era with old witnesses along the way. This stage offers a whole range of possibilities: archaeological sites, chapel, oak forest, granite blocks, river swimming and a magnificent view of the Aiguilles de Bavella... A heritage trail allows you to discover the village of Serra (about 50 min walk).

Stage 4: Serra di Scopamena - Santa Lucia di Tallano (5h walking)

You have done more than half of the Mare à Mare. It is now the descent into a deep valley with swimming possibilities. The view of the Rizzanese is splendid. Don't miss to visit, on your arrival, the convent of St. Francis dating from the 15th century, the parish church, the oil mill with the heritage path.

Stage 5: Saint Lucia of Tallano - Burgo (6h walking)

The final stage is still a place rich in history. You will again cross beautiful paths in the forest. After a last view of the Aiguilles de Bavella, the path will lead you to Fozzano, the birthplace of Colomba Carabelli, symbol of the vendetta in Corsica. Last stream and it is the arrival on Burgo with a superb view on Propriano.

To know everything about the Mare a Mare Sud.

Before leaving it is essential to obtain the Topoguide and the IGN maps. You will find them in all the good bookshops of the region. It is also possible to order them on line on the website of the Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre (French Hiking Federation).

On the Mare a Mare Sud, accommodation is provided in stopover gites, guest rooms or campsites in the stopover villages. These private establishments offer a half-board service and, on request, a picnic. For a "lighter" hike, luggage transport from gîte to gîte is also possible.

It is strongly advised to book your accommodation before leaving.

And of course you need adapted equipment and to know the weather forecast before leaving!

Contact

Parc Naturel Régional de Corse

www.pnr.corsica

19 ave Georges Pompidou - Imm Faggianelli CS - 30417 20700 Ajaccio Cedex 9

Info Rando : 04 95 34 54 80 - 04 20 06 12 00

Tel 04 95 51 79 00 - Fax 04 95 21 88 17 - infos@pnr.corsica