Bala
Corsica
The Balagne region of Corsica is extremely popular with visitors to the island and has several highlights.
The region is found in the western and north-western part of Corsica, running south as far as Porto, and inland into the lower hills and mountains.
Towns and villages: Calvi, L'Ile-Rousse, Cargese.
Places of natural beauty: mountain villages inland, Golfe de Porto (includes Calanches de Piana and Scandola Natural Reserve), Gorges of Spelunca, Foret d'Aitone, Calvi beach (Calvi), Ostriconi beach (L'Ile-Rousse); Lac de Creno
Balagne villages
One of the highlights of a visit is exploring the perched villages of Balagne set in the hillsides to the east of Calvi and to the south of L'Ile-Rousse. There are dozens of these small villages and each has its own particular charm. Most also have their own little church.
Time spent exploring these quiet roads in the hills exposes a Corsica that is far from the crowds of the popular resorts and beaches, and also very beautiful, with many fine views across the region to distract you en route. Because of the nature of the roads, and the time you might or might not have available, it is hard to recommend a particular route or series of villages to visit. Particularly worthwhile 'groups' of these villages that can be visited together include:
- Corbora and Pigna, Aregno, Sant Antonino and Cateri in the northern part of the region;
- Avapessa, Muro, Feliceto, Costa and Speloncato slightly further to the south-west;
- Vallica, Olmi-Cappella, Mausoleo, Pioggiola further south-west again;
- Lunghignano, Montemaggiore and Cassano Zilia at the southern edge of the region
You don't need to visit every village on these lists but it is worthwhile spending at least a little time away from the coast and exploring the Balagne villages.
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