Bouldering on Corsica – our top tips

Even the short walk from the car park to the boulders makes the trip worth it: the granite formations have been whipped by the wind, weather and sea, leaving them with a rough texture. From a distance, the shapes look soft, but bizarre. When I touch them, though, I can feel their rough surface – which will ask plenty of our hands and fingertips.

Bouldering by the sea is an experience like none other. The steady background noise – the music of the sea, as it were – offers a kind of meditative support. The warm structures of the gneiss are simply perfect for bouldering. And, as I imagined, the holes, edges, slopes and crazy pinch holds quickly rub the skin off your fingers.

The boulders’ structure calls for a delicate technique with wild hooks, jumps and light footwork. There’s everything here, from a flat section to overhanging walls – compressed into eight blocks. For a boulderer, a truly enjoyable experience.

And when your fingers are burning and you just can’t do any more, jumping into the inviting azure water is an unbeatable feeling. Or enjoying a home-brewed coffee – that’s a fantastic boost, too. We opt for coffee. We were a little overconfident: the sea is somewhat too cold. We dipped our big toes in and pulled them out immediately.

As evening falls we watch the glowing sun descend into the sea. Corsica – a stunningly beautiful, diverse island with all kinds of outdoor pursuits on offer. The exciting tours, friendly interactions with locals and the delicious food are things we won’t forget for a long time. We’ll certainly be back.