CORSICA 2019 ITINERARY
PORTO VECCHIO
25 MI / 1,950 FT
Upon your arrival into Porto Vecchio, the SV shuttle will transfer you to our beach front hotel in Porto Vecchio, Hotel Carre Noir. This afternoon, our Corsican adventure begins with a prologue in the form of a quick, undulating spin from Porto Vecchio. A perfect opportunity to get to know your guides and your riding mates for the week before enjoying your first night on the island, in the city that hosted the Tour de France’s Grand Depart in 2013. After our short ride, we will gather this evening for a group orientation to go over the daily itinerary and plan for the week followed by an evening meal.
Overnight: Hotel Carre Noir
Day 1
Day 2
SARTENE
79 MI / 7,220FT
The spectacular route out of town takes us straight to the Col de Bacinu before descending on sweeping turns through dense, forested hills with unexpected vistas around every corner. The tunnels here were a favorite hideout of the Corsican Resistance against the Nazis. Sartène, our halfway point, is a pretty town dating mainly from the 16th century; to return, we take the spectacular red-rocked coast road, with beautiful views out over the Mediterranean.
Overnight: Hotel Carre Noir
Day 3
PORTO VECCHIO - PORTICCIO
84 MI / 11,180FT
We traverse to the opposite side of the island via the rugged Parc Natural Régional de la Corse. We’ll begin by making our way to higher ground, and spend much of the day at altitudes approaching 1,000m. We’ll cycle through the cool pine forests that cloak the slopes of the many 2,000m-plus peaks that tower above us. From there, descend into Punta di Porticcio. At our hotel, just steps from the beaches of a magnificent bay, we’ll enjoy a magical sunset.
Overnight: Radison Blu
Day 4
DAY FOUR: PORTICCIO - CORTE
95 MI / 11,350FT
Today’s route takes us to the heart of the island, to Corte, a town at the center of the island’s fortunes since Pascal Paoli made it the capital of his short-lived Corsican Republic in 1755. After cycling round the Golfe de Sagone we’ll turn inland and climb more than 30km to the Col de Vergio – at 1,478m the highest paved road on the island.
Overnight: Hotel Dominique Colonna
Day 5
DAY FIVE: CORTE
92 MI / 4,300FT
For our fifth day, riders may choose to go for a short morning spin, and spend the afternoon exploring the village of Corte or taking in one of the remarkable local hikes. For the others, we will take the high road across the spine of the island, visiting charming perched hillside villages, deserted back roads, river gorges and the spectacular Col de Sorba. Tonight, we dine in town, at a small mother and son owned cafe that celebrates the local cheese, Corsican meats & local vegetables grilled over an open wood fire.
Overnight: Hotel Dominique Colonna
Day 6
CORTE - CALVI
77 MI / 8,895FT
Our journey culminates with one more substantial ride from the center of the island to the sea. The Bocca di Battaglia is the day’s highest point, and to finish there’s a fast descent and some stunning panoramas of the city of Calvi. It’s the perfect way to cap to a magnificent week on the wild and beautiful island of Corsica.
Overnight: Hotel Revellata