The Grand Tour of Corsica in 8 stages with Cycling Corsica +Added to my favoriteItem already present

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAMME

Day 1Ajaccio-Bonifacio
Distance : 135 km / D+ : 1900 m

We welcome you in the early morning in Ajaccio. This first stage takes us to the very tip of the south, jumping from one gulf to another, from Ajaccio to Valinco, and finishing at the white cliffs of Bonifacio, with its fine sandy beaches, Genoese towers, wild little bays and lovely climbs in store.

Day 2Bonifacio-Zicavo
Distance: 120 km / D+: 2380 m

From Ospedale to the Aiguilles de Bavella, the route (a stage in the 2013 Tour de France) takes us through the upper Taravo valley and its typical villages nestling in the greenery. We follow the course of the torrent up to the Col de la Vaccia (1193 m), followed by a long descent through chestnut and beech trees to Zicavo (735 m).

3rd dayZicavo-Corte
Distance: 105 km / D+: 1885 m

This exceptional inland route takes us over two famous passes: Verde (1289) and Sorba (1311). We then descend towards the Vecchio valley and its lush green meadows to reach Corte, the historic capital of independent Corsica.

4th dayCorte-Sisco
Distance: 130 km / D+: 2335 m

Following a route of secondary roads, we return to the Nebbio region and cross the hinterland dotted with hamlets and sheepfolds. The splendid Romanesque church of San Michele is a must-see.

Day 5Sisco-Saint-Florent
Distance: 110 km / D+: 1545 m

Cap Corse offers a magnificent coastal road that takes you all the way around. The cornice road runs level with the shore, skirting pretty little seaside resorts. On the western slope, the steep coast dominates the shoreline in spectacular fashion, overlooked by Genoese towers and windmills on the crests.

6th daySaint-Florent-Algajola
Distance: 120 km / D+: 1550 m

The stage begins with a crossing of the Agriates desert, a scorching mass of rocky outcrops and short scrubland. We return to the Giussani, a beautiful green enclave in the regional nature park. Finally, the headland villages of upper Balagne offer breathtaking panoramic views over the bays of Calvi and Ile Rousse.

Day 7Algajola-Porto
Distance: 105 km / D+: 1845 m

The road takes us to Corsica's rich western coastline. At the Palmarella pass (408m), one of the most beautiful panoramas of our trip awaits us: the Gulf of Girolata and the Scandola nature reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fauna (fishing eagles, etc.) and flora of this region are exceptional.

Day 8Porto-Ajaccio
Distance: 90 km / D+: 1485 m

Crossing the Calanches de Piana (Unesco World Heritage site): a small pink cornice road winds its way through jagged rock formations: breathtaking! Then we continue on to Cargèse and its two churches: the Greek and the Latin facing each other over the sea.