The Route...
My choice
of route around Corsica
proved quite difficult to research and therefore all the more
difficult to decide. My main objectives were; 1)
to visit the more remote areas
2) to travel the quieter roads and...
3) to stay mainly in Chambres d'hôtes & Gîtes and...
4) in the vicinity of fly fishing 'hot spots'
So, here is the very rough route I planned
before my departure, which I am now slowly updating (day-by-day) with the 'real thing'.
The first 48 hours on this
magical island - Stage 1
I fly in to Bastia, make camp at Madame Vignon's bed
& breakfast, and prepare for the
ride of a lifetime. The next day, I head north along the east coast,
cross over to the west coast and overnight in Nonza.
(Click here for the full story of day 1
& 2) and
(Click here for the route stats)
Day 3 - Stage 2
From Nonza continue down the NW coastline to St. Florent.
Then loop up through the hills to the SE via the
villages of Oletta, Rapale, Sorio, Vezzi and back
down again, passed the Lac de Padula, to the
Kalliste campsite near the beach of St. Florent.
(Click here for the full story of day 3)
and
(Click here for the route stats)
Day 4 - Stage 3
From St. Florent, I head SW across the
Desert des Agriates (D81) then west on the N1197,
which leads to L'Ile Rousse. Before L'Ile Rousse, I
turn left and climb towards Belgodere. At Belgodere,
I take the N197 (scenic route!) to Olmi, via the
D963 and stay overnight at Pioggiola.
(Click here for the full story of day 4) and
(Click
here for the route stats)
Day
5 - Stage 4
Climb up the D63 from Pioggiola to Bocca di a
Battaglia (1100 metres) then a steep descent to
Speloncato. Turn left on to the D663 then join the
D71 to Feliceto, on passed Muro and Avapessa. At
Cateri, turn left on to the D151 to Montemaggiore
where I stop for lunch. Then on to Calenzana for
an overnight stop at a campsite just off the main
road from Calenzana to Calvi.
(Click here for the full story of day 5) and (Click
here for the route stats)
Day
6 - Stage 5
Avoid the main road into Calvi and instead take
the D51 across to join the D81 at Suare. Quite a
long climb to the Bocca di Marsolinu, followed by
a glorious descent along the D81. Cross over Le
Fango at the Pont de Cinq Arcades, turn left and
head away from Galéria, turn left again and
head along the D351, with the river on my left.
Stop overnight at a Gîte d'étape near the Pont de
Tuvarelli-Chiorna. Day
7 - Stage 6
There is only one
way, by road, between Galéria and Porto - the
D81. It snakes its way up, down and through the Forêt
du Fangu. With over 2,700 metres of climb during
this 50 kms stage, this could be my toughest stage
yet. Not many villages along the route, so must make
sure I have plenty of food and water at the outset.
Stages: 7-12 |
