Bike Tour Daily Description:

Day 1
We pick you up early in Ajaccio at the ferry terminal or at your hotel and take you to a beautiful local beach where we help you adjust your bicycle before riding along the coast; there every turn brings a new view of the exquisite blue and turquoise waters of the Mediterranean and its white sandy beaches. After we stop for lunch and a swim on a secluded beach, we‘ll ride to our lodging for the night—an exclusive hotel on a cliff overlooking the bay—where we’ll brief you on the entire tour before a delicious regional dinner.

Day 2
Today we leave the sea behind and climb toward the interior of the island; our next hotel is only 20 miles away, leaving plenty of time for you to relax, or explore the area on foot. If you choose to continue cycling with the first optional climb, we’ll be cycling a road that rises higher and higher until the forest opens, offering you incredible views of the spectacular rock formations. After a long pause to enjoy the dramatic mountain pass and all the summits surrounding it, we will return to our hotel to enjoy more local cuisine.

Day 3
We will leave early this morning for one of the longest and most scenic ride of this tour: an entire day on narrow winding mountain roads where the only traffic may be feral pigs and goats dining on wild chestnuts. As we progress through the rainbows of fall colors, from forests to cliffs with open mountain views, you will want to stop for photos at every turn! Our stop today is a 3-star hotel on a secluded estate with a swimming pool and more comforts than home. After this day, you may think that you've seen the best of Corsica. But we have more for you...

Day 4
The first part of today's itinerary is a dramatic change from the colored forests we've seen: this high narrow road offers views as far as the eye can see as we pass through villages where life and culture has barely changed for centuries and the blue of the Mediterranean appears like a mirage on the horizon as we cross the highest pass. An enjoyable descent will end in a beach town where we will spend the night. There, you can spend the rest of the afternoon on the terrace of one of the numerous cafes with pleasant harbor views or visit one of the clean white beaches for a swim or a nap.

Day 5
We begin today by crossing the only desert found on French territory: here the maquis, low, dense, aromatic shrubs that cover much of the Corsican coast, grow between rock formations polished by the winds of centuries and each pass offers us a different view of the coastline. Later, narrow winding roads lined with cacti will lead us to a small traditional village where we will spend the evening in a typical home. This ride isn't very long, but today you will discover true Corsican hospitality as our hosts show you their home and prepare a memorable dinner—you’ll wish you could spend the whole week!

Day 6
We’ll leave early this morning and, descending toward the vibrant blue Mediterranean, we’ll follow 80 miles of switchbacks along the pristine coastline. At our hotel, nestled in a small bay surrounded by cliffs, you can recuperate by the pool or relax on the beach. However avid cyclists will not want to miss the 15- or 30-mile optional coastal rides through sculpted rock gardens reminiscent of Zion National Park or the Grand Canyon—except with views of the sea! Those who choose the 30-mile option will continue on a ridge whose sides plunge to sapphire water on both sides. After a descent to a secluded white sand beach, we will return on the same road, enjoying the setting sun as it turns the entire mountain glowing red. This is Corsica at its best.

Day 7
Today’s 45 miles will leave the beach; travel through colorful forests; crest high mountain passes with grazing goats, sheep and horses and descend through a narrow, deep and arid canyon. A last climb will return us to the town of Corte; set in the mountains in the center of Corsica, it is the only university town of the island. This day is the quintessence of all the colors, rock formations and winding roads that have made riding in Corsica such a wonderful experience: this is where you will enjoy a wonderful last dinner together.

Day 8 (Optional Bonus Ride)
Would you like a late breakfast and a stroll in town or are you up for a last 20 mile optional ride? After cycling through a dense forest on one of the narrowest roads you've ever ridden, you will follow a river down a deep gorge that slowly opens to meadows with grazing livestock—a special morning ride guaranteed to send you off with a big smile! At the end of the morning, we will help you back to your train for Ajaccio (often described a must experience for all travelers to Corsica) or Bastia.