Visit the Calanques of Piana in Corsica: activities, boat, hiking

Natural Wonders of Corsica, they are a small paradise with hidden treasures. Follow the guide to visit the Calanques of Piana!

Corse is known for its admirable beaches, its beautiful mountains or villages with atypical charm. Nevertheless, the Mediterranean island has much more surprises than you can imagine.

Indeed, many natural places deserve to be stopped, in order to contemplate and appreciate what Mother Nature is capable of. Corsica is the French jewel of the Mediterranean. The beauty of its landscapes, the reception of the inhabitants and the warmth of its lands invite you to travel and discover.

Visiting the Calanques of Piana is a step – almost – mandatory during a stay on the island. It is a geological pepite of Corse-du-Sud , in unexpected forms, where everyone will let his imagination see what he wants. Then follow the guide to discovering this little paradise on earth!

Visit the Calanques of Piana, a Corsican geological curiosity

The geological formation of the calanques is exceptional: a magmatic rock, the red porphyre, reinforced by turquoise waters and the green-buteille maquis. The colors of Corsica are particularly beautiful, because they are natural and preserved.

In Corsica, a legend tells the formation of the calanques. It would seem that a love reversal is at the origin of the rocky chaos that form the calanques. And not any lover: Satan.

We are then in Hell where, from his home, Satan observes a pretty Piana host. He falls in love with it and then decides to conquer it. Already married, the young woman repelled him violently, in order to send him back from where he came, underground. Well, badly took him.

Known and decided not to stay there, Satan then undertakes to upset the life of the shepherd. Not wanting to steal his life, he prefers to break Piana's land. This is how the steep cliffs and mountains are born, of red colour, like the anger of the Devil.

A very poetic legend, of course. In reality, Corsica is a volcanic island. The red porphyre of the rocks of the calanques was carved by hundreds of years of marine winds, storms and erosion. It is the nature itself that is at the origin of this geological work that we know today.

In addition to being registered Unesco World Heritage , the calanques are a type 1 ZNIEFF since 1985 (Natural Ecological Interest, Faunistic and Floristic).

Visiting the Calanques of Piana is not like visiting a natural park. Indeed, the departmental road (D81) passes through this small mountainous hen, between cliffs and dull maquis. This road, which connects Genesis to Porto , will offer you a spectacle of the most fabulous of the island. But we need to know that the Calanques of Piana visit many ways ...

What to see and do in the Calanques of Piana?

There is as much to do as to see in the Calanques of Piana. They face the Gulf of Porto and you can even see the Gulf of Girolata. Indeed, the sea view is unbeatable and magnificent.

But before you confront the magic of the calanques, stop for a few hours in the village of Piana. Charming mountain village, its windy and flowery alleys will give you a glimpse of local life. The view of the village on the Gulf of Porto is extraordinary, with its blue mountains on the horizon.

How to visit the Calanques of Piana?

Hiking

Starting from Ajaccio and with a guide, go to the Calanques of Piana for a day of hiking to discover this site of rare beauty.

Then, direction Porto and its pebble beach for lunch, where you will enjoy local produce during a picnic in the middle of nature.

Afterwards, you will have the free afternoon where you will have the opportunity to visit the city, to discover its Corailleurs artisans or to explore the Capo Rosso Marine Caves by boat (surcharge).

And to conclude this day in beauty, why not opt for a swim on the beaches of Ajaccio and its south shore?

Canyoning

During a very sporting canyoning tour, discover the incredible Dardu Canyon, located in the heart of the Calanques of Piana. It is one of the most famous canyons on the island by its beauty, its rich biodiversity and the plurality of its obstacles.

Go to the adventure in the Calanques of Piana thanks to this sporting excursion 7 a.m. along the ochre and pink granite walls of this breathtaking and spectacular decor.

The peculiarity of the Dardu Canyon and what makes it a unique canyon is that it ends at the sea. So your return will be by boat to the fishing port of Porto.

Make a boat ride

Raise anchor to Ajaccio or Porticcio and go discover, the time of a day, the Calanques of Piana by boat.

The morning will be devoted to the discovery of the Scandola Nature Reserve (registered to UNESCO World Heritage) and the Gulf of Porto. You can observe it local fauna and flora in their natural habitat.

Then you will make a 2-hour stopover in Girolata, a coastal village and insulated, where you can eat.

Finally, the afternoon will be devoted to discovering the incredible landscape of the Calanques of Piana. You can admire the rose granite rocks, carved for centuries by temperature changes, strong winds and clutch.

Other option by boat

The visit of the Calanques of Piana by boat is also possible since Porto . On board a hybrid boat and for a duration of 1h30, you can explore these incredible rock formations and admire the endemic flora and fauna of the region.

How do I go to the Calanques of Piana?

From Ajaccio

By car

The best way to get there is the car. Indeed, the village and the Calanques of Piana are about an hour’s drive away. Ajaccio . From the Ajaccian center, you will follow the western coast of Corsica by the departmental road, the D81. You will pass next to the villages of Afa and Calcatoggio, and you will cross completely Tiuccia, Sagon and Cargesis.

If you go to Corsica in ferry , you can take your car. Otherwise, there is the option of car rental Very borrowed.

Car

If you can’t rent a car or come with yours, buses make the journey between Ajaccio and Ota (east of the Calanques), passing through Piana. You can stop there and visit the Calanques of Piana on foot.

• Car Ajaccio – Ota: Monday to Saturday in winter, every day in summer;
• Winter : Monday-Friday from Ajaccio at 3:45 p.m., Piana stop at 5:20 p.m. and arrival at Ota at 6:00 p.m. On Saturday, departure at 12:30, Piana stop at 1405 and arrival at Ota at 1445;
• Summer : Monday-Sunday and holidays since Ajaccio at 10:15 a.m., stop in Piana at 12:50 p.m. and arrival in Ota at 13:30;
• Tariff : 12 € per person.

Are there combined visits?

There are actually visits combined with the Calanques of Piana. As previously seen, you can take a cruise to discover the Scandola Nature Reserve and its ecosystem with marine and terrestrial wonders, as well as the village of Girolata.

The right addresses

For a memorable experience from the beginning to the end, Wanderlix has uncovered a few pepits to make your visit to the Calanques of Piana an unforgettable moment.

With regard to the accommodation, you can quite stay in Ajaccio and take a day trip from this city. To find your ideal accommodation, we recommend using Compare hotels or Airbnb . If you want to stay close to the Calanques of Piana, here are two accommodations that can meet your desires.

For holidays feet in water

Located in Cargese, 20 km from the Calanques of Piana, this accommodation is a feast of tranquility. Do not hesitate for a second and let yourself be seduced by this charming bright house, located on the beach. You will be quiet and can relax with family or friends.

What more to say except that it will be difficult for you to fold luggage at the end of your stay and leave this little paradise.

For a breathtaking view of the Tour and the Gulf of Porto

Located in Ota, 13 km from the Calanques of Piana, you will not resist either the view or the decoration of this accommodation, both disappointing and enchanting!

Enjoy a breathtaking sunset every night from the terrace, and let yourself be rocked by the sound of the waves. Moreover, if you have the eye (and a hint of patience), you may have the chance to see dolphins!

In short, it is the ideal accommodation to fully enjoy your holidays in Corsica!

Restore to Piana

For a quality gustative stopover, we recommend The Café de la Plage , a restaurant overlooking the beach! We guarantee you a great time thanks to its fresh products, refined cuisine and idyllic surroundings! The warm atmosphere and the pretty decoration are also part of the game!

The spots of the Calanques of Piana

La Grotte des Amoureux

Below the calanques is the Cave of Lovers, only accessible by boat. It offers a sumptuous contrast between the azur blue of the sea and the volcanic red of the rock. This is the dream trip to do in love, but also with family or friends.

The Rock of Love

When you swing, you will certainly notice the Rock of Love. Very emblematic, it is formed of two high rocks with in their joint, a heart shaped hole! Depending on the period of the year, you can see the sun sunset through this heart.

Chien's Head

Last special place in the Piana Calanques we offer: the Chien Head. It is actually a big rock that time and elements have forged to such a point that it looks like a dog’s head.