Are you considering a cycling holiday to France? But would you like an alternative to a base camp in Bourg d’Oisans or around Lourdes? Of course, you can choose another beautiful department in mainland France. There are plenty of options, for example in the Ardèche. We have one more tip: CorsicaOr better said: Northern Corsica. It’s France, but just a little different. The Corsicans are proud and feel really different from the French people on the mainland. The island is rugged, beloved by hikers, and very diverse for cyclists. Of course, there’s plenty to discover for gravel bikers as well. The Tour de France has also stopped here several times, most recently in 2013. Back then they already showed the island’s versatility. Find here the most beautiful cycling routes and tips for this French island.
Basecamp
If you’re going to cycle in Corsica for a few days, you can choose to make Bastia in Northern Corsica your base camp. The second city of Corsica isn’t very big, but offers everything you need. From there, you can very well explore the northern part of the island by bike. Just at the tip that lies directly above the city, you can ride two days of beautiful bike routes on a race bike. For the gravel rider, there might be even longer fun to be had. You can literally keep going back and forth, without getting bored for a moment.
Col de la Serra and more
The Col de la Serra is a beautiful climb to discover Cap de Corse (the north). The route to the climb starts in the port of Macinaggio and takes you up approximately 420 meters in 12 kilometers. There is a small section of steep climb, so don’t be fooled! If you head for the top towards the most northern point of Tollare, you can have fun on the way back because this stretch is known as the Corsican Poggio. With a significant gradient, this climb lives up to its name. Remember that you also have to climb to the top of the Col de la Serra. You can climb it very nicely if you do a ‘Circuit de Cap de Corse’. Then you drive almost 150 kilometers, but you have a great day.
Kris is scratching his head over this point
The Cap de Corse is great for exploring in full. For example, the road (D35) between Marine de Meria and Morsiglia. It is wonderfully quiet and in a westerly direction it is a gentle climb. Conversely, it is a bit rougher and more uneven. Then, it is actually a few short hills in a row. The rugged nature really makes this a more beautiful, different route than on the mainland in France. If you do the aforementioned Circuit de Cap de Corse, you mostly ride along the coast and are treated to a beautiful stretch of hilly cycling.
That way you’ll find more of these cycling routes that go back and forth from the east to the west of this point. Closer to Bastia you’ll also find one of the most challenging climbs on the island, the Serra de Pigno. On this route from Bastia, you’ll be almost 950 meters higher in 14 kilometers than at the beginning. The trick here is in the last kilometers. So keep your good legs on it, otherwise you’ll really be seen. Once you’re up there, the view is absolutely amazing.
Corsica is large
This sounds like an open door, but it’s good to mention it. A bike tour around the Circuit de Cap is already 150 kilometers long, without any alternative cycling routes. From Bastia, you could still think of 5 or 6 more rounds that won’t actually get you to the other end of the island. One of those rounds is a detour to Saint Florent, just on the other side of the Cap de Corse. Here, in 75 kilometers, you can add almost 1900 meters of elevation gain to your meter. Here again, you’ll encounter a local ‘Poggio’, the Poggio d’Oletta.
A paradise of gravel – the Agriates desert
From Bastia, you can best head towards the Agriates desert, behind Saint Florent. With the gravel bike you really have no chance here; it’s unpaved, rough terrain. It’s a bit similar to the middle of the island. You’ll also find a military base here, but you’re obviously not welcome there. You can play this point from left to right and up and down here, and that’s enough to make you happy. You can expect few facilities here and a road that gets really muddy in bad weather. Stop at the beach of Valencia on the water’s edge. That’s one of the ones from the book, I promise.
Cycling route in Northern Corsica
Below you will find beautiful cycling routes that take you through all the highlights from Bastia. For more inspiration, check out our collections on Komoot. You can also find more cycling routes from other locations there.
Practical
The island is a few hours away by boat from Marseille or Nice, but from the Netherlands it is probably easiest to reach via Genoa in Italy. You can of course also fly, but that is usually a bit less sustainable. Keep in mind that in Corsica you can still ski in the winter, although not until September/October.
However, it gets very hot quickly, so always check beforehand. In the summer, it’s lovely to hang out by the beaches and you can seek cooler places for cooling off. The highest peak in Corsica is over 1,600 meters high.
Accommodation
In Corsica you have many good accommodations for cyclists. In Bastia we have a simple tip: The Best Western hotel in the city offers many options for cyclists and important and handy space with cleaning supplies. Check it out hotel for availability and prices.
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.