France-Bike, your partner for cycling holidays in France is proud to present you this brand new and outstanding bike tour on one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Corsica is known for its extreme contrasts and wonderful landscapes. This tour will show you just how amazing they really are, and what a great cycling potential our island has to offer! Not only that on each stage you can choose different routes, but you will also enjoy this unique variety of surroundings. From beautiful coastal roads, to small, twisty mountains pass roads. You will ride around the „Cap Corse„, cross the „Désert des Agriates„, discover the small villages of the interior, and also the beautiful bay of Porto... just loads of unforgettable pictures. Corsica surely won't leave you indifferent!
Day 1: Individual arrival in Bastia
The tour starts in the afternoon, in Bastia. Once you've dropped your belongings at the hotel, you should have some time visit the main city of Northern Corsica. We suggest you take a look at the citadel, the old harbor and its surroundings (also a good place for diner), and maybe drink a coffee on one of the largest European squares, the place St. Nicolas.
Day 2: Cap Corse, ~59-79 km
The first stage leads you around the Corsican cape. A beautiful coastal road, gentle climbs through the interior before reaching the West coast and its stunning cliffs. You’ll spend the night in a small marina of the west coast.
Day 3: Cap Corse > Saint Florent, ~31 or 48 km
Today you will ride southwards, direction St Florent and its little harbor. If you cross the village of Patrimonio, you should stop for a wine tasting. The area has a lot of good wines. On the climbs you have great views over the bay of St Florent.
Day 4: Saint Florent > Ile-Rousse, ~48 or 80 km
Now you will head towards the Balagne. After a few Kilometers and a last look over the bay of St Florent, you're in the desert of the Agriates. No sandy dunes but low vegetation and not really much around. After a sweet descent you leave the desert and get ready for some lovely climbs into the mountain area of the Balagne.
Day 5: Ile-Rousse > Galeria, ~66 or 78 km
That stage will lead you through beautiful local villages (with singing names like Sant'Antonio or Santa Reparata), down to Calvi (old city right by the see, with one of the nicest Citadels), before reaching your hotel in Galeria, a small fishermen village.
Day 6: Galeria > Porto, ~51 km
Heading southwards again, you'll ride on a splendid coastal road (probably the nicest of its kind), offering amazing views over the Mediterranean see. On the way you can catch a sight over the bay of Girolata (a protected area with great biodiversity). Finally you join Porto.
Day 7: In and around Porto
Today the program is up to you; whether you just stay at the beach to relax, or you grab your bike and ride to the „Calanques de Piana„ (stunning rock formation). You could also go for a boat trip visiting the „Girolata natural park„.
Day 8: Porto > Col de Vergio, ~35 km
This stage isn't that long, but constantly climbing. You'll ride through the Spelunca gorges, the village of Evisa, through the Aitone forest up until the „col de Vergio„ (1477m). A few minutes away you'll find your hotel, just in front of a little ski resort.
Day 9: Col de Vergio > Niolu > Corte, ~52 km
Todays stage leads you more towards the center of the island. Mostly downhill it goes (some kind of compensation for yesterdays „climbing„) through the Valdo-Niello forest, a few villages and finally the breathtaking Scala Santa Regina (a twisty narrow road). A final climb can't be avoided before reaching Corte, historical capital of Corsica.
Day 10: In or around Corte, ~30 km
Free program today. Maybe you take the time to visit this small city, ancient capital of the island during the independence under Pascal Paoli (1755-1769). It hosts the Corsican University and museum, the Citadel also is worth to be seen. If you prefer cycling, you can ride up the gorges of the Restonica (partly 14%) until the sheepfolds of Grotelle, not far from the famous GR20 trek. If its' too steep you can stop earlier to take a refreshing bath in the Restonica River.
Day 11: Corte > East coast > Aleria, ~48 or 60 km
You will follow (more or less, depending on the route you've chosen) the Tavignanu river down to Aleria, an ancient Roman city. Always be careful on high speed downhill sections, because (and not only in this area!) the animals, contrary to the humans, are numerous and love to stand in the middle of the road. Once in Aleria you can visit the Roman Museum and the old fortress, or rather relax a bit in the nearby Spa resort, located directly on the beach (a transfer with the hotel bus is possible).
Day 12: Day off in Aleria
This place has a very old history; built by the Greeks, Alalia got conquered and renamed Aleria by the Romans 259 B.C. You can visit the Roman museum, the old thermal springs or the archaeological site. Spending some time at the beach (3km away) is an alternative. You could also ride (transfer with the hotel bus possible) to the nearby Spa resort, located directly on the beach, for a full relaxation program (sauna, hammam, massages...).
Day 13: Costa Verde, ~57 km
Heading Northwards today, you will quickly find yourself climbing again. Avoiding the main road along the coast is the best option (too much traffic and not much to see). As you've probably already noticed most of the inhabitants have left the interior villages, and on your way you'll see historical witnesses of the ancient times; like churches, convents, abandoned sheepfolds...
Day 14: Castagniccia, ~32, 52 or 72 km
The area you'll cross today owes its name to the massif chestnut planting by the Genoese in the middle-age. As you guess the region is quite wooded and also has some very old buildings remembering of the past generations that lived here. Some gentle climbs will make your heart beat faster. Finally, to end the stage and the trip, you'll easily „roll„ until your last accommodation, located a few meters from the beach near the Bastia/Poretta airport.
Day 15: Individual departure or extra nights
A transfer to the airport or Bastia is possible (information on request).
