{"id":2890,"date":"2021-11-15T21:13:17","date_gmt":"2021-11-15T21:13:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=2890"},"modified":"2026-10-05T14:36:43","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T14:36:43","slug":"north-corsica-france-but-different","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/noord-corsica-frankrijk-maar-dan-anders","title":{"rendered":"Northern Corsica: France, but different"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you considering a cycling holiday to France? But would you like an alternative to a base camp in Bourg d\u2019Oisans or around Lourdes? Of course, you can choose another beautiful department in mainland France. There are plenty of options, for example in the Ard\u00e8che<\/a>. We have one more tip: Corsica<\/a>Or better said: Northern Corsica. It\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s versatility. Find here the most beautiful cycling routes and tips for this French island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Julius<\/figure>\n
A stunning route in the rugged mountains of Corsica<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Basecamp<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Col de la Serra and more<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019t 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 \u2018Circuit de Cap de Corse\u2019. Then you drive almost 150 kilometers, but you have a great day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Top
Top of the Serra (C)Isiwal\/Wikimedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kris is scratching his head over this point<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Gontran<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"To
To the tip of Corsica<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That way you\u2019ll find more of these cycling routes that go back and forth from the east to the west of this point. Closer to Bastia you\u2019ll also find one of the most challenging climbs on the island, the Serra de Pigno. On this route from Bastia, you\u2019ll 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\u2019ll really be seen. Once you\u2019re up there, the view is absolutely amazing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corsica is large<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This sounds like an open door, but it\u2019s 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\u2019t 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\u2019ll encounter a local \u2018Poggio\u2019, the Poggio d\u2019Oletta. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"cycling<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A paradise of gravel \u2013 the Agriates desert<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From Bastia, you can best head towards the Agriates desert, behind Saint Florent. With the gravel bike you really have no chance here; it\u2019s unpaved, rough terrain. It\u2019s a bit similar to the middle of the island. You\u2019ll also find a military base here, but you\u2019re obviously not welcome there. You can play this point from left to right and up and down here, and that\u2019s 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\u2019s edge. That\u2019s one of the ones from the book, I promise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Desert
Desert of Agriates \u2013 (C)Komoot.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Seleccia\"
Seleccia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cycling route in Northern Corsica<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n