Hiking and kayaking in Girolata bay, region of Porto

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Hiking and kayaking in Girolata bay, region of Porto

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 11.0 miles / 17.7 km
Duration: Full day

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Overview: Located on the West coast of the island Corsica, the bay of Porto with the regions of Scandola and Capu Rossu is among the world's most beautiful seashores. The all region is included in the UNESCO world heritage.

The region is famous for its mountainous seashore, turquoise clear water and red rocks with mysterious shapes.

Just traveling by car on the D81 between the small villages of Osani and Porto is an unforgettable show. But if you wish to visit the region there are two alternatives:

1. From the sea, by boat or kayak.
2. Walking on breathtaking lanes. Hikes usually start on the top of the mountains where you'll enjoy fantastic scenic view and end on desert tropical-like beaches. It is just wonderful.

This guide include a kayak trip and a hike that both have the same aim: the small fishermen's village of Girolata.

Girolata is a 20 houses village with a few restaurants, two basic shelters with minimal accommodations and a small fortress (XVIth century).

Tips: Access to Girolata is restricted to hikers or skippers as there is no road going there. It is a quite easy hike lasting 3 hours but with a quite steep uphill on the way back. Normal sport shoes are sufficient and children used to hike would do the hike easily. 1L beverage/people is sufficient but refill in Girolata or buy a bottle of water there. If your hotel is in Porto, you'll last about 20 minutes by car to each the starting point of the hike, 10 minutes to reach the starting point of the kayak trip.

Porto is an excellent starting point to visit Scandola, the Capu Rossu and Girolata:

Places to stay in Girolata: Restaurant La Cabane du Berger (bungalow, gite) (04 95 20 16 98), Gite le Cormoran (04 95 20 15 55).

The website of the protected reserves of Corsica: www.parc-naturel-corse.com.

To go to Girolata by boat: http://www.naveva.com. Alternatively you could rent a private boat with or without skipper in Porto (overbooked during the high season). Although quite expensive the private boat is perfect to visit Scandola, the Capu Rossu and Girolata. It allows you to have a break where you want, to snorkel, swim, walk al little bit along the cliffs...

There's a small restaurant on the beach Caspio with kayak renting. If you wish to sleep in Girolata, bargain to obtain a equilibrated price.

Points of Interest

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Junction.

On the D81, 2.5km from Porto, turn to your left. Then 1,5km more to arrive at the parking.

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Caspiu (Caspio) beach

Caspiu beach is a readily accessible beach with a small restaurant and kayak renting. It's an excellent starting point for a kayak trip toward Girolata.
Keep in mind however that it is a very long return trip. Maybe should you sleep in Girolata? Streams and waves in the sea may also delay your progression but there's no specific danger.

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The cave

About 200 meters after the beach "Gradelle", there are some tiny capes of red rocks. Just visit them with the kayak and finally you'll find in one of those capes, a thin cave where the kayak just fits. The cave is opened on both side in such a way that you may cross it with your kayak as i did. Just take care with the waves that are amplified inside the cave and may overturn the kayak.

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The cliffs

The Osani cape has huge cliffs of the world famous red rocks that seem to be burning and coming to life in the sunset.
You may moor your kayak to walk a little bit in the rocks.

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Starting point of the hike toward Girolata

On the D81, about 1 km after the junction for Osani (coming from Porto), there's a place to stop in a curve on the right, the first curve with the view on the cape of Scandola.

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Tuara beach

On the way to Girolata, the large beach of Tuara is a good swimming point. The beach is usually desert which is not he case of Girolata where lots of tourist arrive by touristic boats.
The return hike to Tuara beach with children last about 2 hours.
Very nice view on Scandola reserve from Tuara.

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Girolata village and citadel

Although the region is protected, Girolata is invaded by tourists arriving by boats during the high season. The positive point is that there are overnight accommodations and restaurants to enjoy seafood and fresh fishes.