Cycling Holiday in Corsica, France

Corsica, the “Mountain in the Sea”, known to the ancient Greeks as “Kalliste” - and referred to as “the beautiful Isle” by generations of travellers ever since. This Mediterranean gem is one to the most impressively scenic places in Europe.

Our new self-guided tour of Cap Corse - the Island’s northern cape - is a wonderfully diverse journey through an ever-changing landscape which allows you to discover both the rugged coastline and the beautifully traditional and unspoiled chestnut forrested interior of the Castagniccia.

The tour begins in Bastia, the historic northern capital of the island situated on the eastern coast and takes you north west across the cape towards the black pebble beaches of Nonza. Heading south along the beautiful coastline to the chic resort of Saint-Florent where there is time to explore the impressive citadel and pretty marina before moving off the next day into the sparsely inhabited Desert des Agriates. The next stop is Ile Rousse, a small but lively coastal town. The view from Ile Rousse in the evening really shouldn’t be missed as the reason for the town’s name becomes increasingly obvious as the rocky islets just offshore take on a rich rosey hue with the setting of the sun.

Leaving the coast behind, it’s time to head back inland through the beautiful stone-built villages of the Balagne, a region of Corsica which has rejected modernisation and appears to have been forgotten by time where the proud local people still allow their pigs, goats and cattle to roam freely around the lanes and villages. Finally you will enter the Castagniccia, Corsica’s “chestnut mountains” for what to many is the highlight of the tour, an astonishingly beautiful region which drops dramatically back down to the eastern coast and ultimately to Bastia where you will you again spend your final evening.

Cycling in Corsica is extremely rewarding but can be challenging - for this tour however we offer at least 2 and often 3 alternative routes each day with varying distances ranging from moderate to challenging allowing you the option to choose how much time you spend in the saddle each day.

Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrival - Bastia
Upon arrival in Bastia you will be met by your Skedaddle representative and transferred to your hotel which is conveniently located close to the centre of the city. The picturesque old port, the citadel and the ancient city are all within a few minutes walk from the hotel and strolling around these attractions is an ideal way to spend your first evening in Corsica. Be sure to try a bottle or two of Pietra, the local brew, the world’s only chestnut flavoured beer, it’s a real treat!

Day 2 - Bastia to Nonza
Heading in a northerly direction from Bastia your first day on the bike takes you into hills of Cap Corse; Corsica’s northern peninsula . Your route will follow coastal roads through splendid fishing villages. The route is strewn with Genoese and Paoline towers, old convents and windmills. Why not round off your first day's riding by watching the sun set sipping an aperitif of the aptly named 'Cap Corse'. Riding distance approx 63kms or 83 kms

Day 3 - Nonza to the Gulf of Saint-Florent
Moving south and leaving the cape you’re heading towards Saint-Florent on a route that meanders through the island’s prime wine-growing region of Patriminio. The route offers superb views of the Gulf of Saint-Florent with it’s sheltered beach and gentle shallow waters. In the evening you can soak up the atmosphere, visit the citadel and stroll around the pretty harbour before dining at one of the many fine seafood restaurants where you might also sample a local wine or Muscat from Patrimonio. Riding distance approx 25kms, 28 kms or 41 kms

Day 4 - Desert Des Agriates to Ile Rouse
Leaving the coast and climbing out of Saint Florent to reach the Desert Des Agriates you will ride through numerous hamlets. Eventually you will return to the coastline at your destination near to the bustling town of Ile Rousse (Red Island). Time it right and you will certainly appreciate why Ile Rousse is so named : Sunset is the best time to see this beautiful spectacle as the islets of the coast take on a rich ruddy hew. Riding distance approx 48kms, 69kms or 80kms

Day 5 - Ile Rouse to Balagne
Today, like most of the days on your tour offers several options. Whichever route you choose today though you are assured of some splendid riding and more stunning scenery. The region is like no other on the island with its stone villages seemingly perched in the middle of nowhere and it has somehow managed to resist modernisation - an interesting contrast to the glitz and glamour of the nearby resort town of Calvi. You will stay this evening in one of these typical villages of the Balagne. Riding distance approx 30kms, 44kms or 57kms

Day 6 - Balagne to Ponte Leccia
Continuing deeper into the Balagne discovering more testimonies to Corsica’s colourful past. In time you will reach a point where you have to make a choice as you reach a junction in the road, one of which will take over mountain passes to an altitude of 1200m; the other, whilst not as challenging is no less enjoyable and equally dramatic as you follow the boundary of the Corsican Natural Reserve to Ponte Leccia where you will rest for the evening. Riding distance approx 34kms, 41kms or 56kms (with passes)

Day 7 - Ponte Leccia to Bastia
The final day of riding; the last but by no means the least. It’s an incredible journey through the villages of the Castagniccia and its abundant chestnut forest. This area is famous for unique-tasting charcuterie and as you cross the many rivers and brooks watch out for the free-roaming pigs as they forage for the chestnuts which give the meat its special flavour. Look out too for the impressive Royal Milan (red kite) flying overhead. Descending out of the Castagniccia back towards Bastia you will spend your final evening in a village close to and conveniently-located for the airport. Riding distance approx 31kms, 53kms or 63kms

Day 8 - Departure
All good things must come to an end and alas it is time to say goodbye to “the most beautiful”. 

Equipment
We provide everything except a bike, personal equipment and clothing. If you are taking your own bike it should be a road bike or mountain bike fitted with slick tyres. Please contact us if you are unsure whether your bike will be suitable. It is imperative that it is in good mechanical order. If you are not mechanically minded, we advise you to take your bike to a local bicycle dealer for a service. Our guide(s) will of course be taking a full tool kit and a selection of spares, which we will provide should the need arise. Details of which spares you should take will be included in the Information Pack sent with your booking confirmation.

What the price doesn't include
A) Personal clothing and equipment.
B) Evening meals
C) Lunches.
D) Alcoholic drinks.
E) Travel insurance (available if required, £26).
F) Bar bills, telephone calls, souvenirs, etc.
G) Bike hire (if required).
H) Transfer to ferry port from hotel on Day 8