Winter in the West Corsica region

Murzo, known for its honey festival, is also the departure point for a very beautiful route that leads to Rezza, running alongside gorges and the pretty abandoned village of Muna that was built on the mountainside. If time permits, keep climbing as far as Soccia in the heart of the Corsican Regional Nature Park, either to gain access to the GR20 walking route or to explore the magnificent Creno Lake,which is flanked by Laricio pines.

On the way down to Sagone, perched on an outcrop you can spot the village of Cargèse, known as « la grecque » situated on the site of a Greek colony dating from the XVII Century. The original feature of this village is the fact that it has two churches sitting face to face; one Greek Orthodox and the other Roman Catholic. From Cargèse, continue on towards Piana, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France, which overlooks the Gulf of Porto and sits opposite the peninsulas of Senino and Scandola.

Then take up the winding route that heads to Porto and let yourself be seduced by the beauty of the Calanques of Piana with its rugged coastline of pink granite rock whose strange forms invite you to dream!

In Porto, the company Corse Emotion invites you to step aboard a passenger boat (12 places) to visit the reserve ofScandola that boasts grandiose landscapes that were the result of the eruption of an ancient volcano, as well as the cove of Girolata with its small Genoese fort. This sanctuary is home to an incredible wealth of animal and plant life: osprey, bearded vulture, dolphins…

Those who prefer the mountains should head in the direction of Evisa, a picturesque village where the walking trails meet (Mare e Monti or Mare e Mare Nord) at one of Corsica’s most beautiful forests of Laricio pine.  This provides a gourmet stop where you can enjoy a good wild boar stew or purchase some marrons glacés. 

During the winter time, producers of Brocciu cheese, olive oil and chestnut flour, as well as artisan cutlers and potters, will open their doors to you to explore their production sites and workshops and discover a savoir-faire that is unique.

Every February in Renno the A Tumbera (pig slaughter) fair takes place. This village in the midst of the chestnut trees is well-known for its pig farmers and, during the slaughtering season, the pig is consumed in all its forms. You will be unable to resist the aroma of the Figatelli (sausages) grilled over a wood fire and served with bread.

For sporty types, there is the ski resort at Col de Vergio,which lets visitors practice Nordic skiing and snowshoeing less than an hour from the sea.

Return to Sagone via Vico, a real Corsican village that is warm and lively, built up around adorable little squares and nestling in a mountainous setting, including La Sposata (the wife) that is famous for its legend… The Saint-François convent, on the road to Arbori, is worth seeing for its XVII Century church, where you can find the oldest wooden statue of Christ in Corsica (XIVth).

In Sari d’Orcino, the Clos Alzeto, the highest vineyard in Corsica, is an essential stop-off for lovers of red wines for the cellar, as well as whites.

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