Corsica: Mare é Monte and Sardinia

The Mare e Monte Nord traverses Corsica from sea to sea. It’s 76 miles long  (123km), involves over 6500 metres of ascent. I took me 9 days in 2024. There are some differences. Corsica has a more continuous mountain chain that gives rise to the GR20 and the other long-distance walks, including the Mare e Monte. Sardinia has fewer recognised long-distance footpaths. In area, Sardinia is nearly three times as large as Corsica and has a population five times larger.

Mare é Monte trail

The Mare e Monte is unspoilt and much less frequented than the more famous GR20. Much of the way is forested, and one is assailed by the scent of herbs and plants. The walk is very up-and-down. Six of the ten gités are in villages at or near the coast, and to get to the next one, you have to climb over ridges and high passes.  This means that each day you climb an average of over 700 metres. Most of the way is along ancient transhumance paths for the seasonal movement of livestock and provided the main links between settlements.

Sardinia

Sardinia lies only 7 miles south of Corsica across the Strait of Bonifacio. Although Corsica is French and Sardinia is Italian, they share many characteristics. Geologically and culturally, the islands are very similar. Their histories, ethnic bases, and cuisines are similar. Both have a deep-rooted connection to the sea and both are mountainous. Both have gorgeous, magnificent beaches and unspoilt nature.  Sardinia has a rich archaeological history and a vast mountainous interior, and it would have been good to spend more time exploring. But the plan was to rest and take a pleasant break after the long walk.

Reflections

The Mare e Monte Nord is most worthwhile. It is peaceful, dramatic, varied and interesting. The accommodation is excellent and one gets to enjoy both the crystal clear waters and sandy bays of the coast and the demanding ridges and gorges of the interior.

Published 3 Nov 2024, 99 pages, ISBN 9781912460700