The Trip
On the 15th June 2024, I will start my cycle from Girona to Olbia. Leaving Girona airport , the trip will see me cycling towards France where I will follow a mainly mediterranean route (Eurovelo 8) visiting some of France its Unesco sites (Arles) and Nature reserves (Camargue)
From Marseille, I will take the ferry to Corsica where i will zigzag across the island. Visiting Corsica's nature reserves (Reserve Naturelle de Scandola), i will take some of Corsica's most stunning routes. Cycling through the Gorges de Spelunca and through Foret D'Atoine will bring me towards Corsica's mountainous interior where I will visit Corsica's peaks like Monte Cinto (2706m). From Corte, I will decent back towards the east coast to start the climbing all over and cycle up the Col De Bavella which will provide me with stunning views and some of Corsica's most thrilling landscapes. Plan is to take refreshing dives into the many crystal clear rivers in the mountains, but also visit the stunning beaches along the coast. Taking the ferry once more, I will say goodbye to Corsica and head to Sardinia where I will complete the cycle with a short push towards Olbia. |
The Stages
Day# 2: Girona to Argeles sur mer (125 km) - Ascent: 1330m - Descent: 1440m
Day# 2 will see me cycling from Girona direction France. The first stretch of the day is through Espai d'interes Natural Les Gavarres, a remote forest area close to Girona.
Throughout the day, I will visit medieval towns like Pubol and Peralada where I will take a well deserved break. I will cross into France across the Col de Banyuls, a wild and unspoiled region that will provide me with stunning views towards the coast. Descending into France, I will visit the beautiful seaside town of Collioure where I will soak up the French/Catalan atmosphere. A last push will see me arriving in Argeles sur mer where i will stay for the night. |
Day# 3: Argeles sur mer to Beziers (119 km) - Ascent: 350m - Descent: 290m
Day# 3 will be a mainly flat cycle that will bring me through Parc Naturel Regional de la Narbonnaise en Mediterranee.
This day will be a semi-gravel day where i will take many of the coastal paths towards my end-destination Beziers. By the afternoon, I will reach the Canal Du Midi, a Unesco world heritage site. I will follow the banks of the Canal as far as Beziers where I will see the 9 locks of Fonseranes. Seemingly inaccessible when viewed from the canal bridge straddling the Orb, Beziers cathedral St Nazaire overlooks the beautiful town and looks stunning. For the night, I will be staying in a jail cell (I will tell you all about this during my stay). |
Day# 4: Beziers to Arles (155 km) - Ascent: 290m - Descent: 350m
Day# 4 will be another flat day in the saddle. The route will see me cycling through many beautiful villages. One is sete, a fishing village from where I will follow a mainly coastal route passing through the towns of Frontignan, Vic-la-Gardiole, Mireval,....
Another town to visit is La Grande Motte, a popular seaside resort built in the 1960s. From here onwards, I will head into the Camargue natural park where I will visit the historical town of Aigues-Mortes. Aigues-Mortes is an impressive sight, especially with its medieval city walls still intact. in the Camargue natural park, plan is to admire the horses and flamingos. End destination for the day is Arles, a beautiful city with ancient ruins and a fascinating history that is famed for inspiringthe paintings of Van Gogh. A must visit is the Roman amphitheatre |
Day# 5: Arles to Marseille (92.3 km) - Ascent: 540m - Descent: 550m
Day# 5 will be an easy enough cycle towards Marseille where I will take the ferry to Corsica.
First stop of the day will be Montmajour Abbey, a fortified Benedictine monastery built between the 10th and 18th centuries. The route take me towards Marseille which I will reach by afternoon. Cycling through Marseille might make for an interesting adventure, but as Marseille is hosting the Olympic sailing, much needed funding was made available to improve Marseille's cycling infrastructure. I will board Linea Corsica for a night crossing to the stunning island of Corsica. |
Day# 6: Bastia to Ille Rousse (71.2 km) - Ascent: 1200m - Descent: 1170m
The ferry will arrive at 8am in Corsica where I will disembark and commence my first climb of the day up Col de Teghime.
After a quick decent towards the town of Saint Florent where i might enjoy a refreshing dip in the sea, I will continue my cycle through Desert des Agriate. End destination is the beautiful town of L'Ile Rousse where I will enjoy the local scenery, great food,.... |
Day# 7: Ille Rousse to Galeria (75.8 km) - Ascent: 1150 m - Descent: 1180m
The day will commence with a climb towards the hilltop village of Sant Antonino. Because of its dramatic situation clinging around the top of a hill the village is sometimes referred to as the 'Eagles Nest'.
Sant'Antonino is officially classified as one of the 'most beautiful villages in France From here, I will decent back towards the coast where I will reach the beautiful town of Calvi. Calvi is a beautiful city that with its cobbled streets, harbourside cafes and a Genoese citadel make for the perfect destination. The second part of the day will see me cycling along the coast towards Galeria where I will stay the night |
Day# 9: Porto to Corte (84.4 km) - Ascent: 1900 m - Descent: 1500m
Day 9 will see me climbing up Col de Vergio (1477m). Along this route, I will pass through Foret Aitone located nearby the village of Evisa. This area is one of Corsica's most beautiful landscapes providing amazing views across some of Corsica's highest peaks.
After a steady morning of climbing, I will decent towards Corte where I will stay for the afternoon. Blessed with a stunning natural setting surrounded by jagged peaks at the confluence of several rivers, the mountain stronghold of Corte is just spectacular. Centring on a towering pinnacle that’s been fortified for over 2000 years, I am looking forward visiting this beautiful town. |
Day# 10: Corte to Solenzara (87 km) - Ascent: 1390 m - Descent: 1800m
Day 10 will bring me from Corte to Solenzara. First col of the day will be Col de Sorba which I will take to reach the beautiful mountain village of Ghisona.
This town is loved for its charm and tranquility. Its alpine ski resort and its great sporting life make it a hotspot for outdoor tourism. Following the Fiumorbo, i will get many opportunities to dive into the cool water of this mountain river providing me with the perfect way of cooling down. Heading futher towards the coast, I will reach my end destination of Solenzara in the afternoon where I will take a deserved rest for my next day adventure up Col de Bavella. |
Day# 11: Solenzara to Roccapina (93.8 km) - Ascent: 2010 m - Descent: 1930m
Plan is to leave really early in the morning to beat the traffic up Col de Bavella, probably one of Corsica's most spectacular routes.
The Col de Bavella itself reaches an altitude of 1218 metres with the peaks of the 'needles' reaching more than 1800 metres. Climbing higher and higher, I will cycle through the many pine forests below the col. The first town I reach will be Zonza, Corsica's adventure town. From there, I will decent towards the town of Sartene. Nestled among mountains and with endless small streets, it's worthwhile to wander through the streets. In will end the day at one of Corsica's most stunning beaches, Roccapina |
Day# 12: Roccapina to Punta Sardegna (75.6 km) - Ascent: 640 m - Descent: 720m
Leaving Roccapina behind, I will head towards the stunning town of Bonifacio from where I will take the ferry to Sardinia.
But before i do, i will go on a discovery walk through Bonifacio This village stands perilously atop an eroding limestone promontory that juts out into the sea. The Vieille Ville is located in a 9th-century citadel, whose fortified walls stand tall defending the old town. The old centre offers visitors a fun environment with a bustling maze of streets to explore. The ferry will take about an hour and will bring me to Sardinia in no time. Here I will cycle along the coast towards the stunning Costa Serena |