10-day cycling tour in Western Corsica from Bastia to Ajaccio

Take advantage of your arrival day to visit Bastia, the capital of Haute-Corse. Take the time to wander the narrow streets lined with colorful houses by the Genoese Citadel and enjoy a coffee on the quays of the Old Port.

You leave Bastia and head west via the Teghime pass (536m). At the top, you will have a breathtaking view of the south of Bastia on one side and the Gulf of Saint-Florent on the other.

You then have several options for reaching Saint-Florent: passing through the north and the charming wine-growing village of Patrimonio where you can stop to taste its very good wines or passing through the south and Poggio d'Oletta, you will come across the San Quilico chapel and the ancient cathedral of Nebbio on your way.

Leave Saint-Florent and begin crossing the Agriates Desert, a stunning mountainous area where unspoiled nature reigns. The Agriates stretch over 40km of scrubland and sublime, rugged coastline; it is the largest natural site on the coast.

From hamlet to hamlet, you cross this sublime desert and approach the sea again. Your stage ends on the heights at Monticello, where you can admire a magnificent sunset over Ile Rousse.

Continue your journey up into the hills and cross the charming nestled villages of Balagne: Santa-Reparata-Di-Balagna, Pigna and Sant’Antonino. Stroll through the pretty squares where the old people gather, admire the vestiges of rural heritage such as fountains and wash houses and don’t hesitate to push open the doors of the workshops where the local artisans will be delighted to share their ancestral know-how with you.

Then, a beautiful descent through the maquis and olive groves will take you to the sea. Finally, Calvi welcomes you in the heart of its bay overlooked by the old citadel. A short walk along its pretty port will complete this beautiful stage of the day.

Leaving Calvi, we recommend a short detour to the chapel of Notre Dame de la Serra, built in the 15th century and nestled at the top of a rocky promontory. Beyond admiring a jewel of Calvi's religious heritage, you will also have the chance to admire the most beautiful panorama of the island over the bay of Calvi and the west of Cap Corse. You will then take one of the most beautiful coastal roads on the island, which winds along the mountainside.

The white limestone rock gradually gives way to rocks with golden reflections and strange shapes sculpted by the wind. You will end your stop in Galeria, a small seaside resort where you will certainly come across some wild cows roaming freely in the village.

You leave Galeria to climb up to the Palmarella Pass where you will have a spectacular view of the Gulf of Girolata and the Scandola reserve recognizable by its red granite cliffs. Your path continues via the Col de la Croix (downhill!) on a sublime winding road nicknamed the "road of a thousand bends." It will be difficult for you not to stop at each bend to contemplate the magnificent landscapes that unfold beneath your feet.

You pass through the charming villages of Curzu and Partinello. Finally, you arrive in Porto, whose gulf is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will be seduced by the charm of its small port overlooked by a beautiful square Genoese tower.

Enjoy a relaxing day in the charming city of Porto. You can relax on the beach or take a boat trip to the Scandola Nature Reserve (2 hours 15 minutes) or the Calanques de Piana (1 hour 30 minutes), both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

You'll begin your journey with the magnificent Calanques de Piana as your backdrop. Enjoy a stop to visit the pretty village of Piana and its white houses, ranked among the most beautiful villages in France. Your journey ends in Cargèse, an ancient Greek city whose influence you'll recognize. Enjoy a pleasant evening by the sea in this charming seaside town.

The final stop on your trip is the option of a round trip to the magnificent, wild beaches of the Gulf of Lava. You'll reach Ajaccio, Napoleon's birthplace. Stroll through the old town around the port and let yourself be captivated by the Corsican charm of the narrow streets lined with colorful houses.

If you have time, we recommend a round trip to Pointe de la Parata and the Sanguinaires Islands, an exceptional natural site where you can admire flamboyant sunsets.

After breakfast, enjoy a final stroll in Ajaccio before heading back.