The Calanques de Piana, Corsica in pink granite and low-angled light

Second road trip, new road: this time we’re driving up the west coast of Corsica, and Piana stood out from our very first look at the map.

A road that already hints at the scenery

The road down to Piana already winds between blocks of pink granite before you even reach the calanques themselves. We stopped three times for the road alone.

The best time to be there

In the late afternoon, the rock changes shade by the minute, from pale pink to deep orange. We booked a boat trip at sunset with a local operator in Porto. Allow a good hour on the water to see the calanques from the sea, from an angle impossible to get from the road.

A short walk, a huge view

The “Têtes de Chien” trail starts from the pass not far from Piana: about 1 hr 30 round trip, for an overhanging viewpoint that is well worth the effort. The waymarking is decent, but walking shoes are still recommended for the final, rockier section.

For boat trip times and the condition of the trails, the Porto Ota tourist office remains the best up-to-date source.

The verdict

A second road trip that gets off to a strong start: if the rest lives up to this promise, Corsica is going to be a serious rival to the American West in our personal ranking.