For many visitors it is the breathtaking landscape that is the interior's main attraction. Mountains run from the tip of Cap Corse in the north almost to the toe of Corsica near Bonifacio, with the most spectacular lying in central Corsica.

There is much to explore in the wild and remote Cap, the Asco and Restonica valleys and up the Spelunca Gorge behind Porto. These valleys echo with tumbling streams, and sharply sculptured slopes rear from forests of enormously tall Corsican pines. The Bavella mountain range and other areas have their own special character.

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Corte

The town of Corte is situated in a broad valley at the centre of the island on the main road between Bastia and Ajaccio. Unlike its sister fortress towns on the coast, Corte was not founded by the Genoese but governed by Pascal Paoli, the father of the Corsican independent movement and was his 'spiritual' capital. Its charm today is found in the 'haute ville' where the forbidding citadel rises high up about the rooftops of the old town. It is a peaceful, traditional town and the perfect introduction to the way of life in the interior.

Restonica Valley

The Restonica Valley is probably one of the most beautiful and dramatic areas in Corsica, with its glacial gorges carved into the granite cliffs, which are covered in verdant pine forests. The valley takes its name from the Restonica River, which flows through the cliffs and gorges to the many pools and lakes, dotted around and about, making this a popular place to walk and picnic. The two most well known lakes Lac de Melo and the spectacular Lac de Capitello are accessible by foot via a rather strenuous and in some places steep path.

Aullene

Aullene is now a relatively remote village of the southern mountains among magnificent scenery. It has fewer than 200 permanent inhabitants today, but once it was a place of importance before any of the modern, faster roads by the coast were built, the only route from Ajaccio to Porto Vecchio went through here. Surrounded by chestnut and pine forests, it is a splendid centre for exploring the mountains.

Zonza

The village of Zonza is at a meeting point of mountain roads. With its old stone houses and narrow streets, it is a true mountain village. The surrounding countryside is diverse and fascinating; the majestic Col de Bavella, drawn and painted by Edward Lear and endlessly photographed since, is nearby. This area is particularly suitable for those who want to do some walking without being too ambitious, and many easier routes are waymarked.