GRAVEL 20 – Corsica off the beaten track
In summary
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Sports
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Duration10 days
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LevelAdvance
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DestinationHaute-Corse / Bastia
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions124.51 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
Explore Corsica from a different perspective with this gravel route that takes you from Bastia to Porto-Vecchio, between the Mediterranean coast and rugged mountains. Cross the spectacular Cap Corse, discover inland villages, and ride through the unspoiled landscapes of Nebbiu, Castagniccia, and Alta Rocca. Along the way, alternate between quiet country roads, forest tracks, and more secluded paths to discover an authentic Corsica, far from the beaten track. Between panoramic sea views, forests, maquis shrubland, and charming villages, this gravel adventure invites you to discover all the richness and diversity of the island, at your own pace.
The highlights
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A condensed version of wild and authentic Corsica.
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Varied landscapes between sea, mountains and villages.
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A gravel route between tracks, paths and small roads.
Photos
Sport
Level
Gravel biking
The expert's opinion
8 days of gravel cycling with stages of up to 80 km per day.
In figures
Gravel
- Average duration/day: 5h
- Average distance/day: 64 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 1273 m
- Average daily descent: 1274 m
- Maximum altitude: 555 m
Management
Program
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Arrival in Bastia
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Enjoy a leisurely arrival in Bastia, the charming gateway to northern Corsica. Take your time to stroll through its lively streets, discover the characterful old port, and explore the freely accessible citadel. A journey that begins amidst authenticity, history, and breathtaking scenery.
Day 1 -
Bastia - Albo
- Activity Gravel
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 67 km
- Positive elevation gain 1146 m
- Negative elevation 1127 m
- Maximum altitude 393 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Bikes will be delivered to the hotel this morning (if you have rented any).
Let the Gravel 20 adventure begin! You head towards Cap Corse, following its east coast to Pietracorbara, before crossing the peninsula to reach the west coast. You then descend towards Pino, through the wild landscapes of Cap Corse, before arriving in Albo and your seaside hotel for your first evening overlooking the Mediterranean.
Day 2 -
Albo - Olmeta di Tuda
- Activity Gravel
- Duration of the activity 3h30
- Distance 44 km
- Positive elevation gain 641 m
- Negative elevation 606 m
- Maximum altitude 467 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
You leave Albo to continue your gravel adventure on the roads and trails of northern Corsica. A stop in Nonza is highly recommended to admire its hilltop village and famous black pebble beach. You then head to Patrimonio and Saint-Florent, ideal for a break and exploring its charming port. Afterwards, you continue on to Lake Padula before arriving at your bed and breakfast in Olmeta-di-Tuda.
Day 3 -
Olmeta di Tuda - La Porta
- Activity Gravel
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 70 km
- Positive elevation gain 1772 m
- Negative elevation 1302 m
- Maximum altitude 555 m
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
This morning, head towards the authentic villages of Nebbiu. After the San Stefanu pass, you'll reach Murato and its famous San Michele church, a remarkable example of Pisan Romanesque architecture in Corsica. Continue your gravel route towards Lento, at the gateway to Castagniccia, a region renowned for its stone villages and verdant landscapes. Between winding country roads and trails perfect for adventure, you'll finally arrive in La Porta.
Day 4 -
La Porta - Alando
- Activity Gravel
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 80 km
- Positive elevation gain 1649 m
- Negative elevation 1424 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Your adventure continues in the heart of Castagniccia, an authentic region where stone villages nestle amidst lush natural surroundings. Passing through Piedicroce, you'll discover the charm of inland Corsica, with its narrow roads and winding paths, verdant hills, and trails perfect for gravel riding. You'll then reach Alando, in the heart of this rural and unspoiled Corsica, for another leg of your journey dedicated to discovery and escape.
Day 5 -
Alando - Vivario
- Activity Gravel
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 56 km
- Positive elevation gain 1107 m
- Negative elevation 1210 m
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
You leave Alando to continue your journey through inland Corsica, amidst wild and mountainous landscapes. Following your gravel route, small roads and tracks gradually lead you towards the central hills of the island. This stage is all about adventure, where the pleasure of riding blends with the discovery of an authentic Corsica, far from the main roads. Finally, you reach Vivario, a mountain village ideally located for continuing your exploration of the Corsican interior.
Day 6 -
Vivario - Zicavo
- Activity Gravel
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 73 km
- Positive elevation gain 1679 m
- Negative elevation 1627 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Your route for the day takes you to Ghisoni, a mountain village nestled at the foot of towering peaks. You then continue your journey through the unspoiled landscapes of the island's interior, alternating between quiet roads and gravel tracks. Finally, you reach Zicavo, in the heart of the Alta Rocca region, for a peaceful evening immersed in the authentic charm of Corsican villages.
Day 7 -
Zicavo - Zonza
- Activity Gravel
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 60 km
- Positive elevation gain 1431 m
- Negative elevation 1373 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Head to Zonza, a charming mountain village nestled in the heart of the Alta Rocca region! Your gravel route takes you through the wild landscapes of southern Corsica, passing through Quenza, a typical village surrounded by forests and steep hills. As you approach Zonza, the panoramas become spectacular, with the impressive Bavella Needles as a backdrop. Enjoy the authentic atmosphere of this mountain village, a true meeting point of nature, Corsican traditions, and wide-open spaces, and savor an evening in the heart of one of the island's most beautiful landscapes.
Day 8 -
Zonza - Porto-Vecchio
- Activity Gravel
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 55 km
- Positive elevation gain 755 m
- Negative elevation 1520 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
For this final stage of the Gravel 20, you leave the Alta Rocca mountains behind and head towards the Mediterranean coast. As you ride, the landscapes gradually change, giving way to gentler hills and the scents of the maquis. You arrive in Porto-Vecchio, famous for its charming old town, its marina, and its turquoise waters. A beautiful way to conclude your gravel adventure through Corsica, between sea and mountains, with the feeling of having discovered the island in a different light, at the pace of its trails and backroads.
Day 9 -
End of stay
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Our services end after breakfast.
Day 10
Accommodation
3 nights in a bed and breakfast, in double rooms
One guest room has a swimming pool
(subject to availability at the time of booking).
- Single room
- Double room
- Twin room
- Triple room
The price of the stay is based on a shared double or twin room. A single room is available for an additional fee, or a triple room at a reduced rate (subject to availability).
The guest rooms have a space for bicycles.
One guest room has a swimming pool.
The guest rooms have hair dryers.
Breakfast is served on site.
Dinners are planned in Alando and Zicavo.
In Oletta, the guest house offers a traditional light meal service (charcuterie and cheese platters, etc.).
2 nights in 2-star hotels, hostel, in double rooms
One hotel has a swimming pool
(subject to availability at the time of booking).
- Single room
- Double room
- Twin room
- Triple room
The price of the stay is based on a shared double or twin room. A single room is available for an additional fee, or a triple room at a reduced rate (subject to availability).
Hotels in good locations, in the center of towns or villages.
Hotels have bicycle storage facilities.
One hotel has a swimming pool
Hotels have hair dryers.
Breakfast is served on site.
Both hotels have restaurants.
Dinner at Vivario is included in the stay.
Access
Your stay begins in Bastia; your hotel is located in the heart of the city.
End of stay in Porto-Vecchio, still in the city centre.
Go to the starting point
The ideal way to spend this trip is to arrive in Bastia and depart from Figari.
Shuttle buses from the airport will take you to the center of Bastia, to the train station. The fare is approximately €12 per person. Bicycles cannot be transported on the shuttle.
Taxis are also available outside the airport. Expect to pay around €60 per trip (more at night, on Sundays, and on public holidays). Taxis cannot transport bicycles.
Upon request, we can arrange airport transfers, with your bicycles.
A return trip from Porto-Vecchio to Bastia is possible: buses run twice a day. Buses must be booked in advance, and bicycles can be taken on board (approximately €60 per person with a bicycle).
If you have a vehicle, you can park it in the car park under Place Saint-Nicolas in Bastia. You will need to go to the reception desk to get a weekly pass; it costs approximately €25 per vehicle.
A return trip from Porto-Vecchio to Bastia is possible: buses run twice a day. Buses must be booked in advance, and bicycles can be taken on board (approximately €60 per person with a bicycle).
Price details
The price includes
- Nights in 2 and 3 star hotels and bed and breakfasts, in double or twin rooms
- Breakfasts
- 3 dinners
- Luggage transfer at each stage
- The travel pack with maps and guidebook is accessible on our app (smartphone required).
- Europe Active telephone helpline, 7 days a week, from 8am to 8pm
The price does not include
- Transportation to the meeting point and from the departure point
- The “solo supplement” if you are travelling alone
- Drinks
- Dinners and lunches not included
- Insurance
- Tourist taxes
- Bicycle rental (optional)
Options
- Gravel bike rental : CHF567.18 / unit
- Electric bike rental : CHF535.16 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
A minimum of specific cycling equipment will be necessary to be comfortable on the pedals:
- A helmet (provided if you rent the bike)
- Glasses
- Appropriate shoes (no smooth soles)
- Cycling shorts or cycling shorts
- Breathable T-shirt (avoid cotton)
To avoid mechanical problems, it's best to be prepared and always carry basic cycling equipment (provided if you rent the bike):
- 2 inner tubes (puncture-resistant tubes strongly recommended, or puncture-resistant strips)
- a pump
- tire levers
- an inner tube repair kit consisting of patches and glue
- a multi-tool
- a small clamp
- a piece of tire
Alternatively, you can assemble your own toolbox which will be transported along with your luggage:
- a brake cable (front and rear)
- a derailleur cable
- a tire
- a derailleur hanger
- chain oil
- a rag
And let's not forget the most important thing:
- spare clothes
- a pair of light shoes for the evening
- a thick sweater or a fleece jacket
- a small toiletry bag with a towel
Clothing to bring
To drive:
- A helmet (included if you rent a bike)
- Glasses
- Appropriate shoes (no smooth soles)
- Cycling shorts or cycling shorts
- Breathable T-shirt (avoid cotton)
For after cycling:
- Spare clothes
- A pair of light shoes for the evening
- A thick sweater or a fleece jacket
- A small toiletry bag with a towel
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- The balance (the remaining 70%) must be paid no later than 30 days before departure.
- ✅ Of an amount greater than €300.
- ✅ Whose departure is in more than 30 days.