Discover North Corsica: The Grand Tour from Bastia to the Mountains

Day 1: Arrival in Bastia
Your tour will begin in the afternoon in Bastia, the main city of Northern Corsica. You will have time to explore the Citadelle, the old harbour, and the vast Place Saint-Nicolas — one of the largest squares in Europe.
Night in a 3\* hotel.

Day 2: Cap Corse (59 km; +1071 m / −794 m)
You will ride around the Corsican cape on a beautiful coastal road, with gentle climbs through the interior before reaching the west coast and its stunning cliffs.
Alternative: 79 km (+1357 m / −1081 m).
Night in a charming seaside village.

Day 3: Saint-Florent (31 km; +401 m / −699 m)
You will ride southward to Saint-Florent and its elegant harbour. A stop in Patrimonio for wine tasting is highly recommended — the area is renowned for its vineyards. The climbs offer magnificent views over the bay.
Alternative: 48 km (+911 m / −1212 m).
Night in a 2\* hotel in Saint-Florent.

Day 4: Désert des Agriates – Balagne (48 km; +843 m / −642 m)
You will cross the Désert des Agriates, a landscape of low vegetation and unspoilt views, before descending into the Balagne region with its lovely mountain climbs.
Alternative: 80 km (+1531 m / −1330 m).
Night in a 3\* hotel near Île-Rousse.

Day 5: Villages of the Balagne – Galéria (66 km; +776 m / −991 m)
You will ride through enchanting mountain villages like Sant'Antonino and Santa Reparata, descend to the port town of Calvi with its imposing Citadel, then continue to the small fishing village of Galéria.
Alternative: 78 km (+1114 m / −1353 m).
Night in a small fishing village.

Day 6: Galéria – Porto (51 km; +921 m / −903 m)
You will ride along what is probably the most spectacular coastal road in Corsica, with views over the bay of Girolata and its protected marine reserve. The stage ends at the coastal resort of Porto.
Night in a 2\* hotel.

Day 7: Rest Day in Porto
A free day to explore at your own pace. You could ride to the Calanques de Piana with their extraordinary rock formations, take a boat trip to the UNESCO-listed Scandola nature reserve, or simply relax on the beach.
Night in the same hotel.

Day 8: Porto – Col de Vergio (35 km; +1608 m / −181 m)
A short but relentless climbing stage through the Spelunca gorge, past the village of Evisa, and through the ancient Aitone forest up to the Col de Vergio at 1,477 metres. Your hotel awaits beside a small ski resort.
Dinner included.
Night in a mountain hotel.

Day 9: Niolu – Corte (52 km; +455 m / −1438 m)
A largely downhill stage as compensation for yesterday's climbing. You will ride through the Valdo-Niello forest, pass through remote villages, and thread the breathtaking Scala Santa Regina gorge before reaching Corte, the historic mountain capital of Corsica.
Night in a 2\* hotel in Corte.

Day 10: Rest Day in Corte
A free day in the island's cultural heart. You could visit the Citadel and Corsican Museum, or ride up the spectacular Restonica gorge to the shepherd huts of Grotelle. A refreshing swim in the Restonica river is a perfect reward.
Night in the same hotel.

Day 11: Corte – Aleria (48 km; +48 m / −484 m)
You will follow the Tavignanu river downhill toward the ancient Roman city of Aleria on the east coast. Watch for free-roaming livestock on the road! In Aleria you can visit the Roman Museum or relax at the nearby beach spa.
Alternative: 60 km (+848 m / −1271 m).
Night in a 3\* hotel in Aleria.

Day 12: Rest Day in Aleria
A free day to explore this ancient settlement founded by the Greeks and conquered by the Romans in 259 BC. You could visit the archaeological site, spend time at the beach, or enjoy the spa with sauna and hammam.
Night in the same hotel.

Day 13: Costa Verde (57 km; +1431 m / −1414 m)
You will head northward through the interior, climbing away from the coast into a landscape of abandoned villages, ancient churches, and convents — silent witnesses of centuries past.
Night in a hotel or guest room.

Day 14: Castagniccia – Marana (32 km; +94 m / −91 m)
Your final stage will take you through the chestnut forests planted by the Genoese in the Middle Ages, past very old buildings and remote hamlets, before an easy roll to your last accommodation near the beach and Bastia airport.
Alternative: 52 km (+743 m / −740 m) or 72 km (+1627 m / −1624 m).
Night in a 3\* hotel at the Marana.

Day 15: End of Tour
After breakfast, your tour comes to an end. Transfer to the airport or Bastia available on request.