Corsica: Vizzavona GR20

From Corte we took the train to Vizzavona, in 33 kilometers we gained 460 meters in altitude, with many tunnels, and with a viaduct/bridge designed by Eiffel which I couldn't really see; however, in the photo John took below, you can see the shadow of the bridge in the gorge.



The infamous GR20 - Europe's toughest trek - passes right through Vizzavona. To the north it goes through an ancient pine and beach forest to the Cascade des Anglais, a series of waterfalls. It's more or less a road to the start of the falls, then the trail turned into a rock scramble, that is if you can make out the trail. In order to catch the train, we turned around a little past the top of the falls, but fully appreciated how grueling the GR20 could be. Check out the photos below including the beautiful purple crocus.

Corsica: Corte

From Calvi we took the train to Corte, in the center of the island. This time it was actually 100% train. The train maintenance is completed for this section of track. It was a very scenic ride: blue ocean, green valleys (short video first below), and snow covered mountains.









Corte is the home of Corsica's only university. At 400+ meters of altitude, one day it got down to the 40s F, and briefly flurried. View of the University from the Belvedere (below).


The Restonica Gorge and Tavignano Gorge converge right in town. While the Restonica is more developed, we had a hike in the Tavignano Gorge, rather popular with trail runners. We turned around at a water crossing that was in reality, a waterfall.

Tavignano Gorge Walk














La Valle della Restonica




The Cafe Below Our Apartment.


Looking Back to the Citadel from the Gara di Corti.


View of the Citadel from the Belvedere.


We wanted to try Corsican cuisine so we ordered two vegetarian options at La Trattoria: Eggplants Bonifacian Style (top) and Cannelloni Au Brocciu (bottom).


Statue of Jean-Pierre Gaffory - A Leader of the Corsican Resistance in the 18th Century.


Fountain of the Four Canons.


Chapelle Sainte-Croix (Holy Cross Chapel)






A very tasty Huyghe Paranoia Hazy Ipa Hoppy Hippo. Not a Corsican beer. ;-)

Corsica: Calvi

From Bastia we took the train to Calvi at the northwest of the island. As the train tracks were being repaired, we actually spent more time on the replacement bus. The journey was very scenic; snow covered mountains and blue sea.

Calvi has a beautiful setting. It was definitely more "closed up" than Bastia, maybe half the businesses were open. The weather wasn't so great, but we did manage a very windy Cap La Revellata walk in the end.

The train from Bastia to Calvi








On the replacement bus to Calvi. Check out the snow-capped mountains!












As soon as we were settled in our hotel, we headed out for a walk around the Citadel. First below is the view of the Citadel from our hotel room. There were some awesome views from the Citadel ramparts.












Later we walked to the supermarket, and passed through the port area where the board sailors were screaming across the water, men were playing petanque, and the line at the traveling CIRQUE SALTOBANCO box office was growing longer by the minute.








On our sole "full day" in Calvi, we walked around a very windy Cap La Revellata and were also drenched by rain showers while fighting to keep our umbrellas from collapsing. The payoff was a rainbow.