On route to the gorges we pass by just one of the stunning beaches to be found on the island.
This is the pretty beach of Porto seen from high up above as we passed through the Calanques de Piana.
The beach overlooks the Golfe de Porto and is a pristine little stretch of sand.
All along the west coast road there are lovely vantage points where you can enjoy the stunning views.
Next up on our Corsican odyssey is an exploration of the gorgeous Gorges de la Spelunca.
Just inland from Porto, the awesome gorges offers splendid hiking, plus freshwater swimming on hot days.
The Gorges de Spelunca are scenic river valleys cutting through the mountains. Rocky paths pass alongside stunning gushing waters of green, blue and brown.
We took the shorter route which was from the road bridge to the old Pont de Zaglia in the gorge-bottom forest – and back again. It took about two hours in total.
The winding path passes through the gorges with mountains, river valleys and pools. It’s a bit of a scramble in the heat but well worth it when you reach your destination.
After about 40 minutes you reach the Ponte a Zaglia. A fairy-tale like Genoan stone bridge that was built at the end of the 18th century to make life easier for the locals and the shepherds.
The bridge has a very high arch because at certain times of year the river becomes very large and fast flowing.
Next to the Ponte à Zaglia bridge there are some glorious pools of colourful water surrounded by boulders, which are an excellent place for a picnic.
After a sweaty hike these beautiful pools are like magnets to us.
The rushing, sparkling water is so tempting as it glitters under the Corsican sunshine.
How tempting does this beautiful pool look? The man looks like he is about to dive right in!
And he’s in. Dipping his toes in this wonderful green pool of cooling goodness.
Even now, the water makes me want to leap in! I can remember the boiling heat on my neck and the beguiling sparkles on the river.
Then finally I take the plunge! Like a plump mermaid, wallowing in the gorgeous, shockingly cold, pools.
It might have been a little chilly (and I might have soaked my only set of clothes) but it was awesome!!!
Look how delighted we both are!! Thumbs up from us, definitely a must see.
As we head towards Calvi we choose to negotiate through one of Corsica’s natural wonders, the exceptionally beautiful Calanques de Piana.
These are granite rock formations along the coast of western Corsica near Porto.
Winding south from Porto to Piana in the north west of Corsica, is a coastal road with some of the most stunning, otherworldly scenery that we’ve ever encountered in Europe.
The Calanques de Piana are incredible, sculptural, weather beaten rock formations with an almost alien feel to them.
The surreal landscape of wind-eroded granite cliffs tower over the road and then plunge dazzlingly into the sea.
The cliffs are a naturally harmonised palette of colours including red, pink, russet and honey.
Stacks, towers and pinnacles have been shaped by the elements and are up to 300 metres above the sea in some places.
There are a variety of pretty little villages scattered around Corsica and one of them is Piana.
We’re dropping in en-route to our next destination, the tourist town of Calvi.
Piana is a pretty village set in and overlooking the fabulous Calanqes de Piana; one of the most beautiful parts of Corsica.
The Calanqes de Piana is a stunning series of rock formations and we’ll be heading through those next.