CALVI : The seashore
Driving along the coast from Calvi to Ajaccio, you will see the most extraordinary panoramas of the Island of Beauty
going through before your eyes, especially the nature reserve of Scandola and the Calanches (Creeks) of plana.
Adding to that, the ascent of the gorges of Spelunca from Porto, one could say he/she has seen among the greatest of the Corsican landscapes.
At the feet of the Citadel, there is the road D81 which goes to Galeria. Sinuous, clung to a very steep relief it offers an breathtaking view overhanging superb and isolated creeks like Niachiaretto one, and several beautiful beaches like the bay of Crovanni and the Gulf of Galeria which offers a vast panoramic view over Corsica's north-western coast. The little port of Galeria is the starting point of the sea trips sailing to the peninsula of Scandola and the Gulf of Girolata. The village of Girolata has a unique criteria : one can only reach it either by boat from Calenzana or Porto or by a mule path. Two hiking paths lead to it from Mount Calmarella.
Once arrived to Galeria, one should first go back to the road D81. Over a distance of 10 kms, it climbs from the sea level to the 408th meter of Mount Palmarella : from there, the view over the peninsula of Scandola is unique.A little more drive, after several sharp turns, the mount of the Cross( Le mont de la Croix), gives you a plunging view on the Gulf of Girolata.
Keep turning and winding on your way through and you will get to Porto, but not before a little sunbath on the Calanches of Planca.
The marina of Porto starts at the entrance of a vast valley which spreads from Mount Vergio, which climbs at 1477 meters but is located at 15 kms from the sea only. Guess the dive! This special situation has generated the formation of the deep gorges of Spelunca.
Once in Porto, do not drive straight to Mount Vergio passing by Evisa(road D84); instead take road D124, on the right-side bank of the river. You will pass by the pittoresque village of Ota which seems to be on the constant threat of the peak of the Capu D'Ortu which climbs at 1294 meters. Up from Ota, after crossing two bridges in a row over the torents, park the car :
a path swine along to the superb Genovian bridge, the Vecchiu. From there, you can go forth and back along the path which leads to the gorges of Spelunca : it takes less than an hour to get to the bridge of Zaglia.
