Horse riding in Corsica: from the Taravu ridges to the GR20
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationAjaccio / Corsica
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AgeFrom 15 - 65 years
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CO₂-Emissions263.53 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
English
French
Italian
Spanish
In a few words
Embark on a 7-day equestrian adventure in the heart of the Taravu Valley , the historical cradle of Corsica. Your itinerary begins at the river's mouth and gradually ascends to the mountain peaks, reaching altitudes of nearly 2,000 meters . Following the legendary trails of the GR20 , Mare a Mare, and Mare è Monti, you'll explore a land of legends steeped in 10,000 years of history .
This trek prioritizes island heritage and sharing. Between chestnut forests and panoramic peaks, you'll discover a vibrant culture and authentic local cuisine . The experience is designed for comfort: each stage concludes in typical hotels and guesthouses , carefully selected for their warm hospitality. Here, there are no bivouacs, but rather a serene journey focused on the well-being of both rider and horse. A true immersion in the Corsica of its origins , where wild nature and archaeological treasures meet at every turn.
The highlights
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A unique discovery of Southern Corsica, land of lords and shepherds
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A gastronomic and oenological journey into the heart of Corsican culture
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A comfortable ride
Photos
Sport
Level
Horseback riding
The expert's opinion
This trip is designed for riders comfortable at all three gaits, with a good canter and sufficient control of their mount outdoors. The routes include ascents, descents, and some narrow or technical sections that require balance, agility, and independence in the saddle. Some stages resemble true trail rides, with several hours in the saddle and varied terrain. Good physical condition, stamina, and regular experience riding outdoors are therefore highly valued.
In figures
Horseback riding
- Average duration/day: 5h30
Management
English
French
Italian
Spanish
Diana will be your guide for this trip.
A Corsican journalist and singer, she made a 360° life change and settled on family land to become a farmer during Covid.
Today, she produces olive oil and honey and also raises Corsican dogs and horses. Her small estate is a haven of peace for the animals she pampers every day. Diana is eager to share with you the region of her ancestors, from the beach to the mountains.
Program
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Arrival at Ajaccio airport
- Transportation Car - 01h - 30km
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Arrival in Porto Pollo in the mid-afternoon / airport transfer possible.
Meet your mount, a first gallop on the beach as a welcome: dinner and overnight stay at a hotel by the sea!
Day 1 -
Start of the hike
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Final check of your belongings and bags, which will be transported by the aid station.
Departure at 10am for the adventure.
Crossing the Vachetigre domain to cross a hill which, apart from magnificent viewpoints, will plunge us into the heart of the Corsican maquis.
Crossing Cupabia beach. One of the most beautiful in Corsica!
We go back up through the Maquis towards Barbara and Albert's restaurant: a Tola di Mariola.
A refined farm-style restaurant in the heart of a magnificent estate overlooking the sea.
We have to leave again, and that's where 500m of elevation gain await us to climb to the heights of the village of Coti.
One last gallop on the tracks, and here we are arriving in this magnificent village, with a break in front of its very beautiful church.
Arrival at the Hotel Le Belvédère, dinner and overnight stay in this place run by a father and his daughters facing the sea and the Sanguinaires Islands.
Day 2 -
Coti Chiavari – Bisinao
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After a delicious breakfast overlooking the sea, we set off through villages and forests towards the Gradeddu pass. Along the way, we discovered fabulous views of the Gulf of Ajaccio and the Taravu valley and its plain. A final glimpse of Porto Pollo and we arrived in La Baracca.
Lunch at the Baracca table, with a Neapolitan pizza chef at the stoves and very good Corsican dishes.
Back in the saddle, we progress through the dense maquis to Goia di a natura, a haven of peace built in the heart of lush nature for a snack break with crepes and refreshments.
In the afternoon, we continue to the village of Pietrosella. We proceed through a dense forest and along ancient mule tracks carved into the stone. We continue to Bisinao, passing between centuries-old trees, including a large oak tree that is at least 500 years old.
A few gallops in the morning of our journey.
Arrival in Bisinao. Overnight stay and dinner in a guesthouse.
Day 3 -
Bisinao - Campo
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Starting from Bisinao, we climb up to Pedilonga, an ancient route used for control and communication in the Middle Ages and up until the last century by shepherds moving their flocks to summer pastures. A rocky outcrop overlooks us, the site of an old castle belonging to Corsican lords.
Several beautiful trails allow you to gallop to reach the Saint Georges pass and its iconic inn, perched at 757 m. On the menu, the greatest classics of island cuisine prepared by the women of the Renucci family.
We leave the inn after this lovely gastronomic break.
We headed towards Campo and to do so, we took old agricultural paths and former wheat fields which have now become dense forests of oak and chestnut trees.
A pleasant progression through the woods with a clearing that offers a fabulous view of the Taravu mountain and the Alcudina perched at over 2000 meters altitude.
We continue our journey along very well-preserved mule tracks surrounded by granite walls erected by the ancients.
A peaceful walk leads us to our accommodation for the night in the village of Campo. A fabulous early 20th-century castle. A cozy little castle in the village of Campo, restored by a Belgian family 25 years ago. A warm welcome and impeccable comfort.
Day 4 -
Campo - Tasso
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Staying with a local resident
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Departure from Châtelet to reach the village of Frasseto.
Crossing through centuries-old forests of chestnut and oak trees.
Progress through the forest to a picnic on a rocky outcrop which is an ancient medieval fortress "a punta di Bozzi".
And surely before that, a caste of prehistoric men.
We continued our afternoon journey through the forest to the village of Tasso, perched at an altitude of 900 meters. This village is where our family lived, and they used to welcome people from the plains during the summer season. Dinner was at our family home. Overnight stay in a guesthouse in the village.
Day 5 -
Tasso - Basseta
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Sheepfold
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Tasso left after retrieving the horses from the field.
Descent through chestnut groves bordered by magnificent stone walls.
Crossing through the villages of Giovicacce & Sampolo.
Crossing the “di u pinu” bridge
Arrival in Cozzano then a steep climb, partly on foot, of nearly 1000m
elevation gain with a lunch break in the ferns.
We then join the GR20 to travel in Crete to the Basseta sheepfold.
Day 6 -
End of stay
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Walk on the Cuscione plateau
One. One of the jewels of Corsica, an immense summer pasture plateau where water runs through natural lawns.
Meal in the sheepfold
One last gallop on the tracks before loading the horses into the van for the return to the stable.
Day 7
Accommodation
We will be staying at the Bergerie de Basseta, in the heart of the Cuscionu plateau in Southern Corsica. Nestled in nature above Zicavo, this authentic and welcoming place will accommodate us in small wooden chalets. After our days in the saddle, we can relax in a hot shower. Breakfast and dinner will be served at the sheepfold, in a friendly atmosphere, featuring home-style cooking with Corsican flavors. An ideal stop to recharge and extend the experience of your horseback riding trip.
Access
It is possible to get to Porto Polo by bus or taxi.
Go to the starting point
Access by train: possible to Ajaccio, then our taxi or a member of the team will pick you up according to the schedule.
Access by plane: Figari and Ajaccio are the two closest airports (between one and one and a half hours by road). Transfers are then arranged by us.
Access by boat: Propriano port 25 min away or Ajaccio port (1 hour)
Price details
The price includes
- Meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, aperitif, hot dinner and one aperitif offered per evening as well as a bottle of wine for 4.
- Accommodation in a hotel, guesthouse, or our family home for one night.
- The trip will be supervised by two qualified and trained island guides for the entire duration of the stay.
- Taxi transfer from the airport.
- Loan of quality saddlery equipment with saddlebags
- A support vehicle for transporting riders' bags (the minimum daily requirement will be carried in saddlebags on the horse)
The price does not include
- Drinks and personal expenses other than the complimentary aperitif in the evening and the bottle of wine.
- Flights
- The equipment
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate what formalities are required for entry and stay in the destination country. You can also consult this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
For connecting flights operated by different airlines, also check the formalities for countries you transit through.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are compliant, in particular regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to still be valid 6 months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations and health recommendations. And don't forget to take into account customs restrictions and other obligations of the destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date — remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- Bomb (helmet)
Equipment to bring
- Hiking shoes, but not high-top, with good grip under the sole.
- Some chaps
- A headlamp
- A banana
Clothing to bring
- A warm jacket
- A fleece jacket,
- Good quality riding breeches
- A K-way
The Diana team
Located in Southern Corsica, our local expert offers an authentic immersion experience between the sea and the maquis. On purebred Corsican horses, Diana guides riders of all levels through the Taravu Valley and along the beaches of Cupabia. A true agricultural adventure, her agency combines raising Corsican goats, olive growing, and beekeeping. From one-hour rides to six-day treks, she passionately shares the island's heritage, history, and gastronomy in a unique, family atmosphere.
