Corsica Biking 8 Days

Justifiably called L’Ile de Beaute (Island of Beauty), Corsica offers an unrivalled variety of terrain and scenery; with its fascinating history, distinctive food, and passionate people, Corsica is a destination with a culture all its own. Much of the cycling is along dramatic coastline where the azure waters of the Mediterranean offer refreshing dips.

Location

Ajaccio

Ajaccio, France

Day 1

Porto Pollo

Porto Pollo, Serra-di-Ferro, Corsica, France

Day 2

Sartène

Sartène, France

Day 3+4

Zonza

Zonza, France

Day 5+6

Bonifacio

Bonifacio, France

Day 7+8

What’s Included in the Cost of Your Trip?

INCLUDED IN REGULAR TRIP

7 nights hotels
All breakfasts and 1 dinner
Luggage transfers
Comprehensive Tour Details with detailed pre-trip information
Detailed route instructions and maps
Personal meet & greet with our local Area Manager
Area manager available on call throughout the tour
Access to Loyalty Program and other exclusive benefits

Specifics

TRIP DATES

Any day between March to October
Custom trips available and can start any date. Call or email for details.

TOTAL DAYS

8 days / 7 nights

ARRIVE / DEPART

Ajaccio / Bonifacio

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Moderate to Challenging 20-40+ miles daily You spend two nights in two locations, so you can take time off from cycling on some days

TERRAIN

Moderately hilly (similar to Tuscany but with beaches to cool off by)

COST

Classic Accommodation: US$2625
Single Supplement: US$660

Luxe Accommodation: US$3125
Single Supplement: US$780

Supplement in July & August:
Classic US$175
Luxe: US$260
If you travel in July & August, please book early to avoid disappointment.

Bike Rentals

Hybrid or Racing Bikes: US$320

E-Bikes: US$560

E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and race bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable.

Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are U.S. dollars but we gladly accept payment in Canadian dollars also. If you have any questions before making your reservation, please contact us.

Getting There Your trip starts from Ajaccio, unless you are flying into Ajaccio, ferries to Corscia from Marseille, Nice and Toulon are run by SNCM and the crossing takes between 7-12 hours on a regular ferry and from 2 ½ - 3 ½ on the fast ferry from Nice Info: www.sncm.fr The trip finishes in Bonifacio and you can depart at your leisure from here. There are ferry and flight options; the nearest airport is the Figari airport which is serviced by Air France www.airfrance.fr

Day 1

Ajaccio

Arrival in Ajaccio. Spend some time discovering the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, with its museums and charming old town.
Ride Distance: 25 km -optional warm-up ride.*

Day 2

Porto Pollo

You will start your trip cycling south following the Golfe d’Ajaccio. We suggest a visit to a local potter followed by a picnic lunch overlooking the sea. In Porto Pollo, you will stay in a modest hotel near the beach, where you’ll undoubtedly spend the late afternoon relaxing.
Ride Distance: 60 km, elevation gain 1116 m.*

Day 3

Sartene

You’ll start the day riding to Filitosa, Corsica’s most significant prehistoric site, where you’ll be impressed by artifacts found. There is an option to detour to hot springs before continuing on to lunch in Propriano, a sea-side port town with colorful restaurants and plenty of shops. In Sartene, you’ll stay in a beautiful hotel overlooking the city, with swimming pool and gardens.
Ride Distance: 47 km, elevation gain 1141 m or 31 km, gain 943 m.*

Day 4

Sartene

On your second day here, you’ll ride a spectacular road to the idyllic beach-side hamlet of Campomoro, where you can relax swimming and diving or walk along a ocean-side trail between Genoese towers.
Ride Distance: 46 km, elevation gain 943 m or 1063 m.*

Day 5

Zonza

Climbing into the Rizzanese valley, you’ll admire authentic Corsican villages and thousand year old dolmens; you can stop for lunch in Ste-Lucie de Tallano and can visit the town’s Baroque Eglise Paroissale and an 18th century olive oil mill. In Levie, you can visit the Alta Rocca Museum and explore this charming town.
Ride Distance: 32 km, elevation gain 1468 m.*

Day 6

Zonza

You will take the Road of Bavella which is perhaps the most dramatic road in all Corsica. It penetrates the Foret de Zonza, a dense expanse of pine and chestnut trees as it rises steadily to the Col de Bavella. The village of Zonza, where you spend two nights, is a popular base for hiking the nearby Aiguilles de Bavella. You’ll stay in a charming hotel, where the restaurant is renowned and hospitality gracious.
Ride Distance: 18 km, elevation gain 619 m, plus optional hikes.*

Day 7

Bonifacio

Your final day of riding is mostly all downhill, passing waterfalls and the lovely lake formed by the Barrage de l’ Ospedale. Once down on the coastal plain, the landscape changes back to the maquis, as you make your way to Porto-Vecchio before heading across to Bonifacio, which stands atop a cliff giving it an extraordinary setting.
Ride Distance: 80 km, elevation gain 1246 m.*

Day 8

Departure at your leisure form Bonifacio.

*Distance and elevation gains may vary depending on hotels chosen for specific departure.

Classic

Hotel Fesch, Ajaccio

This 3-star hotel is located in a pedestrian area in the heart of the old Ajaccio, a few metres away from the Place Foch. Straight Talk: All of the Classic level hotels are modest in Corsica.

Les Eucalyptus, Porto Pollo

The Hotel Les Eucalyptus is situated just 50 metres from the beach, overlooking the Valinco Gulf. Alternate is Casa Murina, a new 3-star hotel with a less favourable location but quite acceptable.

Hotel Rossi, Sartene

This 3-star hotel was completely renovated in 2014 with contemporary decor.

Hotel Incudine, Zonza

Located in the old village of Zonza in a pine tree forest, Hotel Incudine is a small modest hotel with colorful rooms.

Hotel Colomba, Bonifacio

Housed in an ancient building of the XIV century in the old town, Hotel Colomba combines beauty and authenticity with hospitality and quality service.

Luxe

Hotel Les Mouettes, Ajaccio

This 4-star hotel is a 19th century mansion with a beautiful garden of pine and palm trees and is the top hotel in Ajaccio. Direct & private access to a white sand beach and a short walk away from the centre of town.

Hotel le Golfe, Porto Pollo

Nestled in the charming marina of Porto Pollo, Hotel Le Golfe is a 4-star property offering luxurious and modern accommodation by the sea with swimming pool.

Hotel Rossi (Classic), Sartene

This 3-star hotel was completely renovated in 2014 with contemporary decor.

Hotel du Tourisme, Zonza

The Hotel du Tourisme is an harmonious mix of tradition and modernity where you will enjoy a swimming pool, hot tub and sauna after a great day of cycling.

Hotel Genovese, Bonifacio

Located inside the medieval walls, this has been a hotel since the 12th century. With the most stunning view in the city, a beautiful pool and excellent restaurant, this is an exceptional property.