Gorges de Spelunca
France > Corsica > Porto > Gorges de Spelunca
Spanning the 2km between the villages of Ota and Évisa, a few kilometres inland from Porto, the Gorges de Spelunca are a formidable sight, with bare Orange granite walls, 1km deep in places, plunging into the foaming green torrent created by the confluence of the rivers Porto, Tavulella, Onca, Campi and Aïtone. The sunlight, ricocheting across the rock walls, creates a sinister effect that's heightened by the dark jagged needles of the encircling peaks. The most dramatic part of the gorge can be seen from the road, which hugs the edge for much of its length.ÉVISA's bright Orange roofs emerge against a lush background of chestnut forests about 10km from Ota, on the eastern edge of the gorge, and the village makes the best base for Hiking in the area. Situated 830m above sea level, it caters well for hikers and makes a pleasant stop for a taste of mountain life – the air is invariably crisp and clear, and the food particularly good. The best place to stay is the rambling La Châtaigneraie, on the west edge of the village on the Porto road (tel 04.95.26.24.47, fax 04.95.26.23.11; April–Oct; €40–55). Set amid chestnut trees, this traditional schist and granite building has a dozen smart, cosy rooms (with and without toilets) in an annexe around the back of the main building. On the front side, a pleasant little restaurant serves mountain cooking such as wild boar stew with pulenta made from local chest-nuts. The young patronne is American, so English is spoken. The Hôtel du Centre, opposite the statue in the centre (tel 04.95.26.20.92; no credit cards; closed mid-Oct to Jan; €40–55), is a pleasant fall-back, with small rooms but an excellent Corsican speciality restaurant on its ground floor; the €23 menu features the chef's renowned sanglier (wild boar) steak in chocolate sauce, and a melt-in-the-mouth chestnut parfait. Half board (€85 for two) is obligatory from June through September; if you plan just to eat, be sure to reserve a table before 5pm. At the other end of the village, Hôtel l'Aïtone (tel 04.95.26.20.04, fax 04.95.26.24.18; €40–85) is a large country hotel with a wide range of differently priced rooms, a swimming pool and relaxing bar-restaurant that enjoys a reputation both for gastronomic prowess and its fine views. For campers, the Camping Acciola (tel 04.95.26.23.01), a small site with a café-bar and great views of the mountains, lies roughly 3km out of Evisa: take the D84 for 2km, and turn right at the T-junction towards Cristinacce; the site lies another 400m on your left.
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