The Great Crossing of Corsican Mountains

Dunring this ride we cross the island from the North to the South (or in reversed way depending weeks), through the most sumptuous mountainous landscapes. From the ascent of Ghisoni village, to Goscione plateau, you'll be dazzled by the famous Bavella peaks. You'll meet Pierrot, an authentic Corse, who will tell you about his country's history and will make you discover the tasty local specialities ! To end the ride, we will reach the beaches, and salt lakes close to Porto Vecchio.

Day 1 - Saturday
Reception at the airport or at the port of Bastia. Transfer up to the riding school to Corte 1 hour drive from the airport, or 1h30 from the Port). Installation in the shelter. Welcoming dinner, introduction to the ride and overnight in bungalow or in cottage.

Day 2 - Sunday

After a morning breakfast, meeting point is given at 8:30 am to the stables. We prepare our horses for our first ride. Today, the steps of our horses lead us in the scrubland where we have a picnic lunch (carried on our saddlebags). We get back into the saddle and leave through Tavignano valley crossed by Tavignano river. This river takes its source on Nino Lake in 1750 metres high and throws itself on the oriental coast of the island. Then, we return in the guesthouse for the dinner and night.

Day 3 - Monday
This morning, we start our ride with the ascent to Ghisoni Village (750m altitude). This village was built to the XIIe century. We discover there magnificient fountains, and some old sheep barns built as the local tradition wanted. Dinner and night in cottage.

 

Day 4 - Tuesday
Today, we ride until the verde pass (1300m altitude). After a few hours in the saddle, we reach Zicavo for the dinner an night in cottage / shelter.

Day 5 - Wednesday
Today itinerary leads us to Coscione plateau (1500m altitude) for its crossing. At the end of the day, we meet Pierrot at his home. Dinner and night at Pierrot's guesthouse.

Day 6 - Thursday
This morning, we ride through the superb forest dominated by the famous bavella peaks. This place is the mythic plac of Corsican mountains and will make you discover the most part of Corsican relief.

Dinner and night in cottage / guesthouse.

Day 7 - Friday

For our last day riding, we cross the beautiful pine forest of l'Ospedale, before to join Conca village, a very typical corsican village. This itinerary is magnificient with unforgettable overviews.

At the end of the day, transfer to Corte by car (2 hours drive).

Night in bungalow, bivouac or in guesthouse in Corte.

Day 8 - Saturday
After breakfast, transfert to Bastia airport or Bastia port.

Important : The route is communicated as a rough guide and can be modified without advance notice for safety reasons, of meteorology or accessibility. However, we shall make all the necessary efforts to preserve the interest of the route if modifications must be brought.

Lakes Trail

 

Day 1 - Saturday
Reception at the airport or at the port of Bastia. Transfer up to the riding school to Corte 1 hour drive from the airport, or 1h30 from the Port). Installation in the shelter. Welcoming dinner, introduction to the ride and overnight in bungalow or in cottage.

Day 2 - Sunday

We ride at the edge of the lake of Calacuccia (800 m), to go back up on the banks of Golu. In the heart of the shepherds'country, in this pond surrounded by the somemts heights of Corsica, the valley of Niolu delivers its magnificent outlines. The forest tracks, framed by pines Lariccio will lead us to the Vergio pass (1300 m). We shall take advantage of installations of the ski resort, of its holiday cottage and its restaurant, for this first night.

Day 3 - Monday

We continue our road to approach the steep roads overhanging the rices of Golu. The mountain offers all its magnificence. The banks of the river (1500 m) will serve us as place of rest for lunch time, with the sound of the torrent. After a good siesta we can continue our ride towards the cGuagnerola pass (1800 m), on the heights we can admire the prestigious summits. After a long descent, we arrive to Puscaghia shelter (1080m) where Dumé will prepare the dinner. Night in refuge.

Day 4 - Tuesday

After a good breakfast we continue our trip on the shepherds steps, to join the ancient sheepfolds of Mazza (1200 m). Having crossed the Cuccavera pass (1600m), we shall take advantage of a small stream for our lunch stop. After lunch, we ride through the forest massif of Aîtone in the shade of the pine forest. For our evening stage we return on the installations of the ski resort.

Day 5 - Wednesday

This stage leads us on the track of the Val du Niellu round, by which we go to Saint Pierre pass (1400 m), near the lake of the Nino (1 800 m). Near the herds which graze freely, it's time to have lunch and to take a little of rest. It is by the GR20 that we shall join the refuge of Sega (1 200 m) for night.

Day 6 - Tursday
From the refuge, we ride along Tavignano river until the high pastures plateaus. We have a lunvch stop around one of the numerous sheep barns. Next we join Creno lake (1300m) or Goria lake (1800m). After this beautiful day on the roof of Corsica, we enjoy a good dinner and night to la Sega refuge.

Day 7 - Friday
Departure from the refuge and ride to Arinella pass (1600m) overhanging Niolu forests. We have a picnic lunch aroung sheep barns and enjoy the last moments in the heart of Corsican mountains. We pass the Capizzolo mount (1400m) before to reach the riding school. Dinner and night at the riding centre.

Day 8 - Saturday
After breakfast, transfert to Bastia airport or Bastia port.

Important : The route is communicated as a rough guide and can be modified without advance notice for safety reasons, of meteorology or accessibility. However, we shall make all the necessary efforts to preserve the interest of the route if modifications must be brought.

Consult us for any extra stay in Corsica / Sardinia !

Horses Our riding base also is a riding school, which guarantee you well trained horses. The most part of horses are robust and strong Corsican horses. Some Merens horse also are available. Horses often are compared with sheep because of their secure feet in very accidented ground. You'll have to walk down on some hard tracks.   Tack We use Corsican saddles, and Mac Lellan saddles. Saddlebags are provided.

 

Required riding level
To join this trail, you have to be comfortable at all paces in open spaces, even if the most part of the ride happens in the mountains and the principal pace is walk. We will ride about 30km a day, 5 to 6 hours in the saddle.

A good stamina is necessary. If you're more than 90kg weight, please consult us before booking.

Children are welcomed from 12 years old if accompagnied by an adult, or 14 years old if alone.

The "Great crossing of the Corsican Mountains" is the most athletic trail we suggest in Corsica because of the differences in altitude. She's perfect for riders who already made a few days trail ride and not afraid by slope and the rocks !

- the trail ride as described in full board basis, including wine during meals,
- the transfers from and to Bastia airport or port at required time schedules,
- the total financial guaranty (APS) of all payments made to Randocheval.

• The great crossing of Corsican mountains
  8 days / 7 nights / 6 days on horseback
  
  
• Lake trail
  8 days / 7 nights / 6 days on horseback

Meeting point to Bastia airport or Bastia port.

Transfers are organised from the airport or the port as follow :

2 shuttles are planned and desserve Port and Airport.

The first one around 10am and the second around 3.00pm.

The last day, you'll be drop back after breakfast at 9.00.

These time schedules, can be changed a little bit depending flight schedules of the riders.

Middle climate all year long in Corsica, but be careful of mountain storms. Evening can be fresh, so don't forget your sweater and rain coat. There is sometimes wind on Coscione plateau.

 

Formality
Check with your local Embassy according to your nationality.

 

Vaccins - health
No specific vaccination, we recommend you to be up to date concerning your usual vaccinations, in particular for the tetanus vaccine.
Remember that a repatriation travel insurance is compulsory.

These informations are given for information purpose only. You must hold identity and sanitary elements necessary for the entrance in the visited country.