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Self-guided road bike tour in Southern Corsica

8 days / 7 nights
Corsica - Self-guided road cycling - Self-guided
Without guide - Comfort

Last updated: 06/12/2023

price from 1430 € per pers.

We picked comfortable accommodation for this fantastic bike tour in the southern part of Corsica. Luggage transfers included!
This fantastic itinerary will enable you to explore the southern part of Corsica by bike. Cycle south from the great city of Ajaccio to the southern tip of the island and the chalk cliffs of Bonifacio. You will then ride north-east to Porto Vecchio and climb up to Ospédale, a little village famous for hosting professional cycling races. Finally, discover the heart of the island with its rugged and authentic landscapes and meet friendly locals, proud of their island and Corsican culture.


Prepare your trip


Your day by day program

1
Ajaccio

Depending on your time of arrival, you will be able to explore your surroundings. Ajaccio’s citadel and old port are really worth a visit!

Night in Ajaccio.

2
Coti Chiavari

During the first stage of this itinerary, you will leave the buzzing town of Ajaccio for a scenic coastal ride along a quiet road which will lead you to cycle uphill to Coti Chiavari. From this enchanting village, perched on a mountainside, you will get stunning views over Ajaccio. These are most definitely worth the effort! Next, you will descend to Propriano and its exotic fine sandy beach.

Cyclists, who feel brave enough to tackle the Col de Siu (730m), will have the opportunity to admire the Gulf of Propriano from above.

Night in Propriano.

Distance: approximately 80km (D+ : 1206m ; D- : 1223m ; Min. : 2m ; Max. : 639m)
or 124km (D+ : 2029m ; D- : 2020m ; Min. : 2m ; Max. : 807m)

3
The Great South

After leaving the delightful Gulf of Propriano, you will cycle through Sartène and head to the south of the island with views over majestic little coves along the way. Cycling to Bonifacio should not be a problem for you, and you will have enough time to explore this wonderful Corsican town.
Uptown, Bonifacio’s cliff-top citadel stands as an architectural marvel, rising up proudly over the rest of town. Many stunning landscapes are to be admired from the battlements, including crystal-clear waters, chalk cliffs and Sardinia’s coastline in the distance.

For those cyclists who enjoy the climbs, the inland route option will provide you with more of a challenge.

Night in Bonifacio.

Distance: approximately 78km (D+ : 1151m ; D- : 14123m ; Min. : 3m ; Max. : 393m)
or 122km (D+ : 2269m ; D- : 2240m ; Min. : 3m ; Max. : 718m)

4
From Bonifacio to Porto Vecchio

Our short version of this stage is also the easiest: you will cycle inland and then eastward to reach the coastline. A scenic coast ride along the most beautiful beaches of Corsica, including Palombaggia and Santa Giulia, will surely tempt you to go for a relaxing swim in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Mountain-lovers will undoubtedly enjoy the second version of this stage, with a 15km ride around the Col de Bacinu (810m) and spectacular views over Porto Vecchio.

Night in Porto Vecchio.

Distance: approximately 58km (D+ : 821m ; D- : 793m ; Min. : 1m ; Max. : 281m)
or 91km (D+ : 1649m ; D- : 1625m ; Min. : 1m ; Max. : 777m)

5
The heart of the island

For this fifth day of the tour, our team has organised two different itineraries. The first one will lead you to cycle directly to Zonza via the legendary Col de l’Ospédale where racing cyclists such as Froome, Evans or Contador have demonstrated their talent year after year during the Criterium International. On the summit, you will discover the Dam of Ospédale which offers lunar-like landscapes, dominated by a quiet lake, which is sprinkled with submerged tree stumps and set against a mystical pine tree forest.
The second itinerary includes a coastal ride northwards, along a very narrow and uphill road which leads to the village of Conca, where the GR20 officially ends. You will also have the chance to climb the Col de Bavella and its famous toothy Needles which appear to be biting at the sky. This 30km detour is easy to start with, but the ascent gets steeper as you try to reach the 1240m summit.

Night in Zonza.

Distance: approximately 60km (D+: 1582m ; D-: 827m ; Min.: 22m ; Max.: 1213m)
or 88km (D+: 1953m ; D-: 1193m ; Min.: 3m ; Max.: 1205m)

6
Cycling the big loop around the central region

Today, you will have the choice to either stroll down the streets of the enchanting village of Zonza or to go for a swim in natural pools or even to cycle one of the two routes that our team has prepared especially for you.
You will ride through several charming little villages, discover an authentic side of Corsica and have the chance to meet welcoming locals. This particular stage will end with a gentle 25km uphill ride (available for both versions of this route).

Night in Zonza.

Distance: approximately 64km (D+: 1334m ; D-: 1334m ; Min.: 53m ; Max.: 929m)
or 84km (D+: 1617m ; D-: 1617m ; Min.: 53m ; Max.: 931m)

7
From Zonza to Ajaccio

In the morning, you will leave Zonza for the West Coast of Corsica. One of the toughest rides of today’s circuit is the Col de St Eustache, which will reward you with a sensational 15km descent. Along the way, you will be able to admire Corsican cottages – each more charming than the next – in typical picture-postcard settings. Whereas the easy version of this stage offers you a ‘relaxing’ ride, the harder version will take you to the Col de Saint Georges, which is named after a spring, and the Col de Cricheto (725m). You will also cycle through Tolla Lake before swooping down to Ajaccio on a well-tarmacked road.

Night in Ajaccio.

Distance: approximately 100km (D+: 1430m ; D-: 2210m ; Max.: 1037m)
or 126.5km (D+: 2050m ; D-: 2840m ; Max.: 1037m)

8
Your trip ends here

Your trip ends after breakfast. Possible transfer to the airport (please contact us for more details). If you rented bikes, please leave them et the hotel for them to be collected.

Departure board

Departures every day from the beginning of April to the end of October.

Technical information

Fact sheet
Starting point
  • Ajaccio. Contact us for assistance with your travel arrangements.
End
  • Ajaccio.
Accommodation
  • 7 nights in 3-star hotels (double bedrooms).
Number of people
  • From two.
Level of difficulty
  • Approximately 80-110km a day with height gains between 800 and 2000m.
Carrying
  • Luggage transfers by vehicle.
Options
  • Single room : 370€
  • July & August departures : 170€
  • June & September departures : 80€
  • Hybrid bike rental  : 440€
  • Electric bike rental  : 490€
  • Aluminium road bike rental : 525€
  • Carbon road Bike rental  : 580€
Included
  • Breakfasts from day 2 to day 8
  • Luggage transfers from one hotel to another
  • Nights in 3-star hotels (double bedrooms)
  • Information package with maps and road-books on our app (a smartphone is required)
  • Local phone hotline
Not included
  • Transport options from and to Ajaccio
  • Meals and beverages
  • Bike rental (see options), repair costs
  • Everything not mentioned on the "included" part

Map

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