Scala di Santa Regina

Walk up this wild, dramatic gorge in the heart of mountainous northern Corsica, on a section of an ancient trade and transhumance route across the high ridge of the central mountains, between the lowlands of the coastal west and the old capital of Corte and its bowl of (relatively) easy land. This is a (day 1?) on the Sentier de Transhumance .

The trail is a classic of its kind, climbing from the road at the Scala di Santa Regina spring, up an embanked and paved mule as it gains height to avoid the once-impassable lower river gorge.

The maquis here is particularly varied and beautiful, a riot of flowers in spring and early summer.

Waterfalls tumble from the high granite walls. High across the gorge is an area of wierd little spires, apparent cousins of the famous Calanche of the west coast.

 You cross an old pack bridge and climb a superb series of switchbacks to a higher hillside, with ever-bigger views. Round a bend, you get your first view of the high central ridge of the island, which can be snowy late into the spring, even early summer.

After a couple of very special hours, you get to the spread-out village of Corscia, which was completely silent when we were there. You can stop here, but through-walkers will any to head on for another 3 hours or so to Calacuccia, where there are shops and restaurants and places to stay. See William Mackesy’s account  for a description of the walk on to Calacuccia.

Note: beware of notorious summer thunderstorms, get away from risk areas if one approaches.

SEE OUR CORSICA PAGE FOR DETAILED GENERAL AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION.