Corsica Riding: waiting list

Classic Package

Breakfast included. Briefing. Departure for our prologue stage.

Welcome to the South: olive trees, endless vineyards, fields of lavender (which should not be in bloom at the time), and the sound of cicadas.

Time to tackle the 1,910 m Mont Ventoux, the cyclists' holy grail (subject to opening)! We cross the Mont-Ventoux Regional Natural Park, then head to the Luberon and its stunning landscapes—such as the Roussillon ochre quarries, reminiscent of Utah, and of course Gordes, a magnificent typical hilltop village.

After the Sainte-Victoire massif and the Sainte-Baume Regional Natural Park, we reach the Mediterranean in Toulon.

Overnight crossing by ferry between Toulon and Ajaccio. Overnight in a double cabin, breakfast included.

Classic Package

Breakfast on board the ferry included. Arrival in Ajaccio in the morning. Transfer to the hotel.

Free day in Ajaccio, administrative capital of Corsica and birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. The Ajaccio market is your first encounter with the excellent produce of the Corsican terroir. On Place Campinchi, the former Napoleonic quays can still be seen. Stroll towards the port, or to the beautiful beaches of Capo di Feno and Campo dell’ Oro.

Short Package

Arrival of the flight in Ajaccio. Transfer between the airport and the hotel (included). Transfer to the rental company at the end of the day to pick up the motorcycles, then return to the hotel.

Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Ajaccio.

Breakfast included. Briefing.

Head for Lake Tolla, with beautiful views along the way. Bastelica is a small mountain village perched at 800 m, famous for its cured meats! The Scalella Pass at 1,193 m gives way to the lovely Bridal Veil Waterfall, before entering the Regional Natural Park of Corsica, with Monte d'Oro on your left. At 2,390 m it is one of the island's highest peaks.

Arrival in Corte, capital of independent Corsica in the 18th century. The town lies at the heart of a region of mountains, gorges and lakes, perched on its rocky spur watched over by the citadel. Corte has a strong Corsican identity.

The road following the Ruda river, with its superb hairpins, reveals exceptional views, especially around the Ruda gorges, before Lake Calacuccia, one of the paradises of canyoning... After the Vergio Pass (1,477 m), return to Ajaccio via the Gulf of Sagone.

Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Ajaccio.

Breakfast included. Briefing.

Today's stage offers the Big Blue on a platter—we're never far from it... After Sagone and its gulf, we pass through Cargèse, for a break on the small marina, almost feet in the water.

The road strings together hairpins (there are not many straight lines in Corsica, which is why we count in driving time rather than km) and reaches Piana. Viewpoints over the famous Calanques of Piana ('Calanche' in Corsican) follow one another on the way to Porto, with evocative names: Tree of Love, Man's Head, Dog's Head... Take the small path to the Castellu di Ghjineparu viewpoint: the view stretches all the way to the other side of the Gulf of Porto!

After the Palmarella Pass at 408 m and its superb panoramic view, arrival in Galéria, then Calvi.

Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Calvi.

Breakfast included. Briefing.

Balagne is a fabulous natural set! We climb towards Calenzana, an authentic village marking the start of the legendary GR20 hiking trail. Monte Cinto, Corsica's highest summit at 2,706 m, stands before us. The hairpins continue up to the Salvi Pass at 528 m. The panorama over the Bay of Calvi is stunning!

Detour via Pigna and Sant'Antonino, two lovely typical hilltop villages of Balagne. Then Feliceto, Speloncato and Belgodère, with their mazes of narrow stepped lanes... and incredible views over the Big Blue, which we then reach.

We cross the Agriates Desert, a wild and magnificent region mixing long rocky ridges and valleys carpeted with maquis. Along the coast—accessible by boat from Saint-Florent or by 4x4—turquoise-water beaches and immaculate white sand (Saleccia...) rival the Caribbean. With a bonus: cows... Arrival in Saint-Florent.

Overnight in Saint-Florent (or nearby).

Breakfast included. Briefing. No luggage duty today, as we return to the starting point.

The Cap Corse peninsula is a finger pointing north, about ten kilometers wide and around sixty long. An exceptional territory between sea and mountain, beaches and summits—a concentration of the riches of the Island of Beauty.

After the Teghime Pass at 536 m, we reach Bastia on the east coast. Coffee break on the old port with the locals. We take the beautiful coastal road, with the Mediterranean on our right. Villages, beaches and Genoese towers punctuate the route.

After the beautiful viewpoint of Rogliano, we reach the small port of Barcaggio at the tip of the Cap, with two magnificent beaches. On the west side, stop in Centuri, a tiny picture-postcard harbor. The road snakes along, revealing incredible views at every bend, before reaching Nonza, one of Corsica's oldest villages. From the top of its tower and cliffs, admire the long black-sand beach. Return to Saint-Florent through the Patrimonio vineyards, producing excellent wines!

Overnight in Saint-Florent (or nearby).

Breakfast included. Briefing.

We gradually leave Balagne via the small roads of the serra di Tenda, dominated by the 1,535 m Monte Astu. Stop at the San Michele de Murato church, a masterpiece of Romanesque art, set on a promontory overlooking the Bevinco valley. The route crosses Castagniccia, famous for vast chestnut groves, stone hilltop villages and cured meats...

We head into the Asco valley, renowned for its gorges, beautiful natural pools (only the brave will swim!) and its Genoese bridge. The village of Asco is a nice stop for lunch.

On to Corte. Wander the old town, then continue towards Zicavo. The Bocca (Pass) di Sorba offers a magnificent panorama over the Vecchio valley and Monte d'Oro, at 1,311 m. The beautiful ridge road passes through Ghisoni, in the heart of the Regional Natural Park of Corsica, then crosses the Verde Pass at 1,289 m on the GR20. Arrival in Zicavo, a village full of character.

Evening with dinner included (surprise). Overnight in Zicavo (in several accommodations).

Breakfast included. Briefing. After the Vaccia Pass at 1,195 m, Quenza and Zonza are the gateway to the famous Aiguilles de Bavella, one of Corsica's most emblematic geological formations, on the GR20. The route takes us to the Bavella Pass, then descends via superb hairpins to the village of Bavella. Optional canyoning activity.

Canyoning: in the Pulischellu canyon on the Solenzara river. Duration: about 3h incl. 30' walk, jumps and natural slides...

Back to Zonza. We cross the beautiful Ospédale forest. Optional quad activity.

Quad: in the Ospédale forest. Duration about 2h, solo or duo (drinks and biscuits included).

We descend to Porto-Vecchio on the coast.

Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Porto-Vecchio (or nearby). Note: activity details will be shared with participants in a second phase.

Breakfast included. Briefing.

The bravest will enjoy the superb white-sand beaches of Santa Giulia and Palombaggia before heading to Bonifacio. Built atop high limestone cliffs, this stunning town faces Sardinia, only 12 km away! The fortified upper town, steeped in history, offers breathtaking viewpoints.

Head for Figari and its beach along the south coast, then up to Sartène, “the most Corsican of Corsican towns” according to Mérimée. Overlooking the Gulf of Valinco, it offers an exceptional panorama, all the way to the Aiguilles de Bavella. Stop in this bastion of Corsican identity for a coffee and to buy local terroir products. Continue to Propriano and its splendid bay, then back to Ajaccio via lovely bucolic roads, always with a view!

Short Package: return the motorcycles to the rental company and transfer to the hotel.

Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Ajaccio.

Breakfast included. Short briefing.

Short Package

Transfer to Ajaccio airport and return flight (schedules to be communicated later to participants).

Classic Package

Free time in Ajaccio to enjoy the city (we will suggest an itinerary for a last little Corsican escape).

Meeting late afternoon at the port of Ajaccio (details to be communicated later) for boarding the ferry.

Overnight crossing to Toulon (double cabin).

Overnight on board.

Breakfast on board the ferry (included). Short briefing before disembarkation in Toulon.

We head towards Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, a nice small town for a coffee and a leg stretch. Then on to the day's big highlight: Montagne de Lure. An emblematic summit of the Pre-Alps of Haute-Provence reaching 1,825 m, it is the beacon of the Provençal hinterland dear to Jean Giono, and the “little sister” of Mont Ventoux! The hairpins to the top reveal superb scenery.

After passing through Sisteron on the banks of the Durance, the route follows the hairpins of the Perty Pass (1,302 m) before reaching the Baronnies region and our starting point to complete the loop.

Overnight in Provençal Drôme (location and details to be confirmed later).

Note: we may adjust today's route depending on various factors, notably if we were unable to cross Mont Ventoux on the outbound leg.