The Agriates Desert in Corsica lesser known than other parts of the island.
Yet it is home to pristine and magnificent Saleccia Beach and Lotu beach!
Plus you can hike in the maquis with splendid mountains views.
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit with tips, map and photos.
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Why visit Saleccia beach and Agriates Desert in Corsica?
Beautiful but not really a desert
The Agriates desert is not really a desert. It is a wild peninsula where rocky ridges meet valleys covered with dense Mediterranean maquis.
It even has temporary streams sometimes going through the vegetation.
It has been inhabited from Neolithic times.
Throughout history it was cultivated and used for transhumance.
Since 1979, the 15,000 hectares have bene protected and tourism has developed with boat tours, hiking and 4WD tours.
Agriates Desert in Corsica
Paradise beaches
Today the Agriates area is mostly famous for its paradise beaches, especially Saleccia.
Some of the most beautiful beaches in Corsica are gathered here.
The whole coastline is surrounded by crystal clean water.
Pine trees, white sand, turquoise colors and the views of the Cap Corse mountains... what more could you want?
Saleccia Beach in Corsica
Video
Below is a short video to give you a snapshot of the area and its beaches:
More photos after the tips to plan your visit.
Planning tips + map: How to get to Saleccia Beach and Agriates Desert
Agriates desert Location
- The Desert des Agriates is located in the North of Corsica
- Just South of Cap Corse and Saint-Florent
- Boats depart from Saint-Florent
- Calvi to Saint-Florent = 1h30
- Bastia to Saint-Florent = 40min
- Ajaccio to Saint-Florent = 3h (via inland road)
- Corte to Saint-Florent = 1h30
- The road going around the reserve is D81
- There are only 4WD tracks in the protected reserve
- Below is a map to help you get oriented:
Agriates desert map - how to get to Saleccia beach
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How to get to Saleccia Beach and Lotu beach - by boat, on foot, by car
Below is an overview of the 7 options to reach Saleccia beach (more details further down):
- Option 1 - Drive to St-Florent + comfortable boat to Lotu beach + hike to Saleccia
- Option 2 - Drive to St-Florent + speedboat to Saleccia
- Option 3 - Drive to St-Florent + Join a 4WD tour from St Florent or Casta
- Option 4 - if you have your own 4WD, drive down in the reserve
- Option 5 - Hiking from St-Florent to Lotu and then to Saleccia
- Option 6 - Join a day trip from Calvi - see program and availability
- Option 7 - Join a day trip from Bastia - see program and availability
Boat to Lotu Beach (from St-Florent)
Boat to Lotu Beach
Your first option to visit the desert is to take a boat from Saint-Florent. From April to October there are shuttle boats from the town to the Pier at Lotu Beach.
The crossing is done under 20 minutes
Le Popeye is one of the main companies to run those shuttle boats.
This boat is a large one and it stays in the gulf so the ride is easy.
From Lotu beach it is a 1h15 walk to Saleccia.
In the Summer months there are 4WD ride between both beaches.
Otherwise, check out Taxi-plages Saint-Florent, with speed boat going to both beaches.
Boat from St Florent to Saleccia Beach
Boat to Saleccia Beach
When the weather permits, there are also taxi boat directly to Saleccia.
It goes outside the gulf, so you don't know how the conditions will be to approach the beach. Therefore rides may be cancelled.
Plus it is a small boat and there are no piers. So you have to get off the boat with your feet in the water.
It should take around 20min.
4WD Tours
As I said, there are no roads in the desert but there are 4WD tracks. Several companies are running tours departing from Saint-Florent or the village of Casta.
If you have your own 4WD, you are allowed to enter the desert. It is a 12km - 45min drive to the coast from Casta. The track is very bumpy.
Hiking between Lotu and Saleccia
As I said earlier you can hike between Lotu beach and Saleccia Beach.
You can either take the inland track or the coastal track (longer).
Photos later in the article.
And if you are into longer hiking trails, you can complete the whole coastal walk (Sentier du littoral) from la Roya Beach to Ostriconi beach. It requires 14h for 35km. Old sheperd houses have been restored to be overnight accommodation.
Hiking from St-Florent to Saleccia
From La Roya beach in Saint-Florent to Saleccia beach, it is a 6h hike.
Desert des Agriates Map
At several points of entry to the desert, you can find the map of Desert des Agriates. It has all the walking times.
I recommend planning a little bit more because I have noticed that walking times in Corsica are for very fast walkers.
The desert is limited to the South by road D81 from which you can enjoy great views of the reserve. Check out my pictures in the next section.
You can see the village of Casta and the 4WD track that goes to Saleccia and Lotu.
Desert des Agriates Map - Roads and tracks
Need to rent a car in Corsica?
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Where to stay near Agriates and Saleccia
Best areas to stay
If you want to enjoy a maximum the magnificent beaches of the Agriates desert you main options are:
- Saint-Florent
the closest with lots of accommodations and beaches in town as well
See hotel + rental deals - Patrimonio
close to Saint-Florent but quieter in the vineyards
See hotel + rental deals - Bastia
If you want to stay in a large city with many restaurants
45min drive from Bastia
See hotel + rental deal - L'Ile-Rousse
One of my favorite towns to stay in Corsica with lots to do within short driving distance
1h drive away
See hotel + rental deals
Auberge Lustincone
Best places to stay in Saint-Florent and Patrimonio - accommodation suggestions
In Saint-Florent you can be close to the beach while staying in Patrimonio is giving you a quieter experience.
- Where I stayed
I enjoyed my stay at Auberge Lustincone in Patrimonio. The house has charming rooms, great food and fantastic views from the terrace and pool!
see photos and availability - Hotel in city center - good value
Hotel Flor is right in the center, but be aware that it does not have a parking area large enough for all guests!
see photos and availability - Old town apartment
Right in the center with a nice little terrace.
see photos and availability - Beachfront Apartment
Appartement Cumaru has sea views
see photos and availability - Boutique, in the mountains
Hotel Case Latine is located in the mountains above Saint-Florent, for peace, quiet and superb views
See photos and availability
Looking for the best place to stay in Corsica?
D81 - Road around the Desert des Agriates
As you arrive from the South (Calvi, L'ile-Rousse or even Corte), you will be driving along D81.
It is a road in good conditions, easy to drive. You will find a few places to park along the way (the GPS coordinates of my favorites are in my eBooks).
From there you can see the rocky edges of the desert and the valleys it has created.
And in the background you have the gulf of Saint-Florent and the mountains of Cap Corse.
The highest peaks in the area are Cima d'Ifana(479m in altitude) and Monte Genova (421m).
However the most recognisable is Monte Jenuva with its pointy head:
As you can see, it does not look at all like a desert. It is covered with Mediterraneean maquis: low and dense vegetation.
Boat trip to Lotu Beach
Boat trip from St Florent
The boat trip to Lotu beach is short but very enjoyable.
You can see a lot during the trip:
- Saint Florent and how it is protected by mountains
- How the mountains of Cap Corse plunge straight into the sea
- On the way you will noticeLa Mortella. It is a Genoese tower with a long history. It was built between 1553 and 1555. It was critcial for the protection of the region. If you are from England or Ireland, you may have seen similar towers. That because Admiral Nelson decided to built similar ones in 1794.
Lotu Beach
Lotu beach is one of the most protected beaches in the desert. As it is still inside the gulf, the waters are calmer.
It is quite a large stretch of sand.
What i love the most about it, is that you can enjoy fantastic views of the mountains of Cap Corse while relaxing on the sand.
Notes and Tips:
- as you can see in the picture, sometimes dead leave of Posedonia algae land on the sand. It can happen at every beach. And they are very important for the protection of the coast. So sometimes, a beach can look more or less like paradise.
- you might see cows wandering the area. Do no approach. Let them be. it is their home.
- There is a small eating café near Lotu beach. However it opens only in June
As you walk in the inland track to Saleccia beach (shorter than the coastal track), you can admire Lotu beach and the lagoon from above. And you get better views of the Cap Corse mountains.
And further into the walk is one of my favorite views in Corsica: the Loto Lagoon, the beach, the gulf and the mountains. It is absolutely splendid.
Agriates Desert hiking to Saleccia beach
Hiking in the Desert
The tracks are well maintained and properly indicated. It is easy to get around.
Just be careful of the animals. Don't invade their space.
As you can see below, you will find small poles indicating directions. The 'Saleccia par l'intérieur' means Saleccia via inland track (because there is also a coast track)
Inland hike from Lotu to Saleccia beach
The path goes up and down, but it is an easy walk. There is no technical difficulty at all.
However there is not much shade, so be sure to bring lots of water and protective clothes.
On the way there are some great views of the desert with its rocky summits.
You can even see the tall mountains in the background (sometimes still covered in snow, over 2000m in altitude)
It is quite popular in Summer, but outside the main season you can really enjoy the walk almost all to yourself.
Towards the end of the walk, you will have the surprise to enter a wooded area. It is a pine forest!
Considering how hot it can be, it is quite enjoyable.
Note that if you arrive by 4WD, you still have to walk 5 minutes to reach the beach, you can't get closer by car.
And then the sea appears... And I got one of my favorite pictures of my whole trip.
Saleccia beach, Corsica
And here we are. This is Saleccia beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Corsica.
The white sand beach stretches for over 1km. It is a mix of mesmerizing colors and shapes:
- White sand dunes
- Rocky heads of the desert
- Turquoise water
- Mountains of Cap Corse
Good to know about Saleccia beach
- Saleccia also has eateries but they are opened only in Summer. There is one at each end of the beach (but not right on the sand)
- This beach is more open to the sea, therefore you can get bigger waves - be careful
- Since there are no roads, the beach does not get too overcrowded in Summer, which is rare in Corsica. But still avoid weekends as this is were locals will go.
- There is a campsite open in Summer just 300m from the beach
- A bit of history:
in 1943, the submarine Casabianca delivered weapons to the resistance on this beach.
- And a fun fact:
In 1961 some fo the scenes of the Normandy landings were shot for 'The longest day'!!!! It is because there is no concrete building here.
I could have stayed the whole day watching the turquoise waves crashing on the sand...
However I had to go back to Lotu beach on foot (4WD taxis are not operating outside the summer months)
And the walk back was as beautiful!
And keep track of your own trip!
Other beaches of the Agriates
Trave beach
Beatiful cove with white sand beach and turquoise water.
You can hike from Saleccia (1h I think)
Ghignu beach
Long white sand beach, less crowded than Saleccia.
High clearance 4WD required.
Cala di Malfalcu - beach
if you are looking for somehting quieter, Malfacu beach is even more isolated in the Agriates desert.
A few minutes walk from Ghignu, with turquoise color, dunes of junipers and Aleppo pines.
Acciolu beach
Another dreamy beach with white sand and turquoise water.
2h walk from Ostriconi beach.
Vana beach
30min walk from Ostriconi.
Quiet and deserted, wiht nice rocks
Ostriconi beach (accessible by car)
At the East end of the Desert des Agriates, you can find my favorite beach in Corsica: Ostriconi.
This one is accessible by car (GPS coordinates in my eBook)
You can see the typical rock formations starting at the other end of this long white sand beach.
FAQs
Which is the most beautiful beach: Lotu or Saleccia
- For the scenery, Lotu is best with views of the bay and Cap Corse mountains
- For a dreamy white sand beach, Saleccia is best, away from everything
Where to take the boat to Saleccia and Agriates desert
Boats only depart from St Florent marina. You can't miss them!
Can you visit Saleccia beach by car?
Only if you have a high clearance 4WD. Tracks are very bumpy downhill from the main road.
If you have a standard car, no, it is not possible.
Want to see more of the best Corsica has to offer?
- 35 best places to visit in Corsica - read article
- 21 best beaches in Corsica - read article
- 9 best things to do in Corsica - read article
- 35 of the most beautiful Corsica landscapes in photos - read article
- How to plan a road trip in Corsica - read article
- Tips to drive in Corsica - read article
- Beaches of Palombaggia (read the article), Tamaricciu (read the article) and Rondinara (read the article)
- The famous Calanques de Piana - read the article
- The tour of the Cap Corse - read the article
- Best things to do in Bonifacio - read the article
Planning a trip to Corsica?
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