In a nutshell

An excursion which proposes a wide spectrum of spectacular views of the Gulfs of Sagone and Porto, the peaks of Mount Cinto, the Spelunca Gorges and the extraordinary natural rock formations of the Calanche de Piana.

Main stops

San Bastiano Pass with a view over the Gulf of Sagone and Mount Cinto
Cargèse and its two churches (outside visit)
The Calanche de Piana
Gulf and bay of Porto
Evisa and the Spelunca Gorges

The programme

Travelling north along Highway 193 we drive up to the San Bastiano Pass, which commands breathtaking views of the Gulf of Sagone and the imposing 2,713 metre-high peaks of Mount Cinto.
We will then move on to visit the Greek village of Cargèse and its two distinctive churches, one Catholic, the other Orthodox, built facing each other.
As we pass through the Calanche de Piana, we can admire the unusual shapes of the natural red rock formations: the Two Lovers, the Bishop, the Eagle, the Dog's Head and the Tortoise. All set against a backdrop of magnificent colours in stark contrast with the deep blue sea.
We continue towards the Bay of Porto, with its crystal clear waters and panoramic views, which have earned it a nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage site together with other famous bays, such as those of Rio de Janeiro and Halong Bay in Vietnam.
A short break for lunch and then we return along the path of the Calanche towards the Gulf of Porto; as we do so, we can admire the intense shades of red of the rocks that plunge down into the blue sea and the tiny port of Porto, overlooked by the imposing Genoese Tower.
Along the mountain road that leads us towards the coastline and the port of Ajaccio, we also pass through the village of Evisa and the Spelunca Gorges.