Hiking on the Eastern Coast
Discover the hikes to enjoy on the Eastern Coast!
Hiking in Central Corsica: mountain lakes, waterfalls and GR20 trails
Around Corte, the former capital of independent Corsica, Central Corsica concentrates the island’s highest peaks and the most spectacular section of the GR20. It is a terrain very different from the rest of Haute-Corse: here, there is no coastline, but rather deep valleys, high-altitude lakes born from melting glaciers, and laricio pine forests that rise to over 1,800 metres. Hiking here inevitably takes on a more mountainous character, with more pronounced elevation gains than by the sea, but also short and accessible routes for those seeking only half a day of walking at altitude.
Our selection of hiking activities for the Eastern Coast
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The Eastern Coast, between agricultural plain and hinterland hills
Hiking here is different from the rest of Haute-Corse: fewer vertiginous ridges, more short walks that combine nature, heritage and the coolness of freshwater coves. The hills overlooking the plain, covered with centuries-old chestnut trees, largely belong to the Castagniccia, a rural region with well-preserved heritage. For a glimpse of the atmosphere of these hinterland villages, such as the village of Campile in Castagniccia, with its dense forests and trails leading to viewpoints over the plain, this is a good complement to preparing a hike in this area, which is less well known than the central mountain range.
The Castagniccia, land of the chestnut
The trails that climb from the plain up to the waterfalls almost all pass, at one point or another, through a chestnut grove planted in the Genoese era, which long sustained the inland villages thanks to chestnut flour. This dense forest, mixed with oaks and pines depending on altitude, provides almost continuous shade to the paths linking the hamlets together, a real contrast with the agricultural plain and its vineyards below. It is also this forest cover that allows the waterfalls to stay cool and shaded even when the heat becomes intense on the coast.
The hidden waterfalls of the hinterland
- Bughja waterfall, near San Gavino di Fiumorbo, 100 m high
- Struccia waterfall, near Carcheto-Brustico, in Castagniccia
- Ucelluline waterfall, between Santa Maria Poggio and San Nicolao
This is undoubtedly the best surprise of the Eastern Coast for hikers: several waterfalls accessible by a short walk from villages perched in the hills. The Bughja waterfall, near San Gavino di Fiumorbo, impresses with its drop of about 100 metres and its pool where you can swim, at the end of an easy hike of about 1h45 for less than 2 km round trip and 215 metres of elevation gain. Further north, the Struccia waterfall, near Carcheto-Brustico, drops 15 metres just a few minutes' walk from the village church, with minimal elevation gain. Finally, the Ucelluline waterfall, between Santa Maria Poggio and San Nicolao, a fifteen-minute drive from Moriani-Plage, is reached by a steeper path leading to a natural pool that is welcome after a day at the beach.
The coastal ponds, between hiking and birdwatching
The eastern plain retains several coastal ponds inherited from its former marshy character, now classified as a nature reserve and highly prized for birdwatching. The Biguglia pond, just south of Bastia, remains the largest lagoon in Corsica and can be walked along via flat trails accessible to all, with the chance to observe herons and migratory birds depending on the season. Further south, near Aléria, the Diana pond, known for its oyster farming, and the more discreet Urbino pond offer the same kind of peaceful waterside walk, very different from the mountain trails in the rest of Haute-Corse. These three ponds, separated from the sea by a simple strip of sand, long made the eastern plain unhealthy before its drainage and agricultural development in the 20th century: a past that partly explains why the region is today so sparsely built-up and so rich in protected natural areas.
Aléria and the heritage of the plain
A hike on the Eastern Coast combines easily with a visit to the archaeological site of Aléria, an ancient Greek trading post and later Roman capital of Corsica, whose remains can be visited by walking on flat ground, with no particular difficulty. This blend of ancient history and coastal nature, quite unique in Haute-Corse, makes it possible to build a light day of walking around several points of interest without having to commit to a long or technical route.
Hiking with family and for beginners
The Eastern Coast is particularly well suited to family outings, thanks to short distances and generally low elevation gain. The Struccia waterfall, just a few minutes' walk from the village, or the flat trails around the Biguglia pond are perfect for a first outing with young children. The Bughja waterfall requires a bit more effort with its 215 metres of elevation gain, but remains accessible at a leisurely pace in just under two hours. As everywhere by the sea in summer, it is best to bring mosquito repellent for walks around the ponds, particularly active at the end of the day.
Adapting to the climate of the plain
The heat feels different here than inland: the air is more humid near the ponds, less ventilated than on the ridges or the rocky coastline of Cap Corse, which can make midday walks quite gruelling in summer. Conversely, the waterfalls of the hinterland, protected by the chestnut canopy, keep a welcome coolness almost all year round. A hat, plenty of water and a walking slot in the morning or late afternoon remain the best habits for enjoying the plain without enduring the strongest heat.
When to go hiking on the Eastern Coast?
Spring and autumn remain the most comfortable seasons on the eastern plain, where summer heat is felt more strongly than at altitude and where the humidity near the ponds can make late summer days less pleasant. The waterfalls of the hinterland, in the shade of the chestnut trees of Castagniccia, on the other hand, offer an appreciable cool escape even in the height of summer, making them a good alternative to the overcrowded beaches of July and August.
Other activities to combine with hiking
The ponds and coastline of the Eastern Coast lend themselves well to other ways of enjoying the water alongside walking, in particular a kayak trip on the calm bodies of water in the area. To organise a stay on site, the campsites of Ghisonaccia and those in the Moriani and Bravone area offer good starting points, as close to the ponds as to the first waterfalls of the hinterland.
