Get ready to hike & trek around Corsica

SO, HOW SHOULD YOU GET READY FOR YOUR HIKE/TREK AROUND CORSICA?

The perfect moment to start off is early in the morning to enjoy your hike in Corsica to the full. Like this, you'll have time to admire the views and you'll also be able to avoid peak heat times and end-of-day storms.

It isn't advisable to head off alone, for reasons of safety. Even if you choose an easy hiking/trekking trail through Corsica, you could still trip and fall. You should also make sure you have all the gear you need, irrespective of the level of difficulty of the hike/trek you choose.

GETTING YOUR GEAR TOGETHER FOR A HIKE OR TREK AROUND CORSICA

Whether you're a seasoned hiker or trekker or just someone who enjoys heading off from time to time, you must make sure you've got all the gear you need. Here, we're going to run through the essentials you'll need to head off for a hike in Corsica.

Backpack

The first thing you need, of course, is a backpack. It should be comfortable to carry it'll be on your back throughout the day.

A 20 l to 35 l backpack is sufficient for a one-day hike in Corsica. People tend to fill their backpacks up, but don't forget you have to carry it, so don't take a pack that's too big. To get an idea of the weight of your backpack, it should equal 20% of your weight.

Comfort-wise, don't forget models that have:

• ventilation, mesh or trampoline backpacks
• padded shoulder straps
• waist belt with chest straps

You can easily find highly-affordable models that are really comfortable in major retail stores. Once you've chosen your backpack, adjust the straps well so it remains stable when carried and doesn't rub your skin. Start by adjusting the waist belt, then the shoulder straps and finally the chest straps. The aim is to distribute the weight so that it's not just your shoulders that carry it all.

A 4 l backpack is big enough for children. They can carry their teddy, a little bottle of water and will be thrilled to "do like the grown-ups".

BACKPACK CONTENTS

Now, we're going to run through the essentials you'll need to carry during your hike/trek around Corsica.
 

• Clothing

Depending on the season, you'll need:

• a cap to protect you from the sun or a bonnet to keep out the cold
• sunglasses
• zipped trousers that can be unzipped into shorts (or 1 pair of trousers, 1 pair of shorts)
• a fleece (it's light and keeps you warm)
• a windcheater
• a raincoat (or rain poncho) or ideally a rain cape that also covers your backpack
• light, sturdy, waterproof shoes or boots with lugged outsoles to grip the ground well and ankle support if possible. Don't forget to wear them in a few times before heading off on your 1st trail, otherwise you may get blisters.
   

• Meals and snacks

Generally-speaking, a hike in Corsica is done over a day so it's vital to take a picnic and a few snacks with you:

• picnic
• cereal bars, nuts, etc.
• lumps of sugar if ever you feel weak along the way
• water (take 2 l per person in flasks or water bags)
• multi-purpose knife
• bin bags
• hand sanitizer so you don't waste water washing your hands
   

• Protections

To protect your skin from the sun, don't forget sunscreen and even lip balm: at high altitude, it's ever-so easy to get sunburned.
 

• Survival gear

To guide you and if ever you get into trouble, you'll need to take a survival kit with you containing:

• a map
• a compass
• a first-aid kit with disinfectant, plasters, aspirin or paracetamol, arnica, mosquito repellent, bandages, scissors, cold spray, etc.
• survival blanket
• a lighter
• a whistle to indicate your position if ever you have a problem
• trekking poles
• binoculars to observe animals from a distance
• a headlamp
• a mobile phone for emergency numbers

First and foremost you need to prepare your hike/trek. You'll need to check the weather forecast before you start off. Be careful as the weather can change really quickly in the mountains: as soon as you sense a storm is brewing, leave high land, don't shelter under a tree, a rock or along a wall and don't run.

Family hiking in Corsica

If you fancy heading off for a hike with your family, your child's age must be taken into account first:

• up to the age of 3, it's advisable to use a baby carrier
• up to the age of 7, a maximum of 4 hours of walking is recommended, given that a child walks between 1km/h and 2 km/h
• from the age of 8, you can head off for a 10-15 km hike but you must always keep the incline in mind

To be sure you're choosing the right trail, 2 guides in French may help you: "Le sentiers d’Emilie" and "Le p’tit crapahut" that propose around thirty easy hikes in Corsica that take around 2h30. These trails also pass by monuments with historic information displayed.

THE BEST SPOTS FOR FAMILY HIKES IN CORSICA

Corsican treks for seasoned walkers

Corsica boasts a host of trails where it's best to have good trekking experience. It goes without saying that you'll need to change the size and contents of your backpack a bit and even add on more gear. 

THE BEST TREKKING SPOTS FOR SEASONED WALKERS IN CORSICA