The Trip
On the 15th June 2024, I commenced my cycle from Girona to Olbia. Leaving Girona airport , I cycled towards France where I followed a mainly mediterranean route (Eurovelo 8) visiting some of France its Unesco sites (Arles) and Nature reserves (Camargue)
From Marseille, I will took the ferry to Corsica where i zigzaged across the island. Visiting Corsica's nature reserves (Reserve Naturelle de Scandola), i took some of Corsica's most stunning routes. Cycling through the Gorges de Spelunca and through Foret D'Atoine brought me towards Corsica's mountainous interior where I visted Corsica's peaks like Monte Cinto (2706m). From Corte, I decended back towards the east coast to start the climbing all over and cycle up the Col De Bavella which provided me with stunning views and some of Corsica's most thrilling landscapes. Along the route, i took some refreshing dives into the many crystal clear rivers in the mountains, but also visited the stunning beaches along the coast. Taking the ferry once more, I said goodbye to Corsica and headed to Sardinia where I completed 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 brought from Girona direction France. The first stretch of the day was through Espai d'interes Natural Les Gavarres, a remote forest area close to Girona.
Throughout the day, I visted medieval towns like Pubol and Peralada where I will took a well deserved break. I crossed into France across the Col de Banyuls, a wild and unspoiled region that provided me with stunning views towards the coast. Descending into France, I visted the beautiful seaside town of Collioure where I soaked up the French/Catalan atmosphere. A last push seen me arriving in Argeles sur mer where i stayed for the night. |
Day# 3: Argeles sur mer to Beziers (119 km) - Ascent: 350m - Descent: 290m
Day# 3 was mainly a flat cycle that brought me through Parc Naturel Regional de la Narbonnaise en Mediterranee.
This particular day was a semi-gravel day where i took the many coastal paths towards my end-destination Beziers. By the afternoon, I reached the Canal Du Midi, a Unesco world heritage site. Following the banks of the Canal as far as Beziers, I visited 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 stayed 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 was another flat day in the saddle. The route seen me cycling through many beautiful villages. One is sete, a fishing village from where I will followed a mainly coastal route passing through the towns of Frontignan, Vic-la-Gardiole, Mireval,....
Another town I passed through is La Grande Motte, a popular seaside resort built in the 1960s. From here onwards, I headed deep into the Camargue natural park where I visited 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, I admired the horses and flamingos. End destination for the day was Arles, a beautiful city with ancient ruins and a fascinating history that is famed for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh. A must visit was the Roman amphitheatre |
Day# 5: Arles to Marseille (92.3 km) - Ascent: 540m - Descent: 550m
Day# 5 was an easy enough cycle towards Marseille where I took the ferry to Corsica.
First stop of the day was Montmajour Abbey, a fortified Benedictine monastery built between the 10th and 18th centuries. The route took me towards Marseille which I reached by afternoon. Nearing Marseille, traffic became crazy with the last cycle through Marseille making for an interesting adventure. I boarded 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 arrived at 8am in Corsica where I was greeted by rain. Disembarking from the ship, I commenced my first climb of the day up Col de Teghime.
After a quick decent towards the town of Saint Florent, I continued my cycle through Desert des Agriate. End destination was the beautiful town of L'Ile Rousse which i reached in torrential rain. That evening, I enjoyed the local scenery, great food,.... |
Day# 7: Ille Rousse to Galeria (75.8 km) - Ascent: 1150 m - Descent: 1180m
The day commenced 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 decended back towards the coast where I was welcomed by blue skies and sunshine. Following the coastal route, I reached 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 seen me cycling along the coast towards Galeria. This part of the trip was just stunning, small roads clinging to the cliffs while the rough sea provided for some dramatic scenery. Fighting a continuous headwind, I reached the beautiful town of Galeria where i stayed for the night. |
Day# 8: Galeria to Porto (51.2 km) - Ascent: 840 m - Descent: 820m
A relatively short day in the saddle, day 8 seen me cycling through the Scandola Natural Reserve. A very long climb followed by a very long decent with the most stunning views made this into a stunning day of cycling.
The afternoon was spent relaxing in the small town of Porto. Swimming a replenishing food were two key items which kept me occupied throughout the afternoon. |
Day# 9: Porto to Corte (84.4 km) - Ascent: 1900 m - Descent: 1500m
Day 9 seen me climbing up Col de Vergio (1477m). leaving around 7am , the route brought me through Foret Aitone which is 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, it was downhill towards Corte where I stayed 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 enjoyed the town immensely. |
Day# 10: Corte to Solenzara (87 km) - Ascent: 1390 m - Descent: 1800m
Day 10 brought me from Corte to Solenzara. First col of the day was Col de Sorba which I brought me to 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 had 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 reached my end destination of Solenzara where I took a well deserved rest for my next day adventure up Col de Bavella. |
Day# 11: Solenzara to Roccapina (93.8 km) - Ascent: 2010 m - Descent: 1930m
On this particular day, i left 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 cycled through the many pine forests below the col. The first town I reached under a threatening sky was Zonza, Corsica's adventure town. From there, I decented through the clouds towards the town of Sartene. Nestled among mountains and with endless small streets, it's worthwhile to wander through the streets. Reaching the coast, the sun made a welcome appearance again. The last stretch brought me to 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 cycled towards the stunning town of Bonifacio under a glorious morning sun. I had plenty of time prior to my ferry to Sardinia, so decided to 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. In the afternoon, the ferry took me in about an hour to Sardinia. The last bit of cycling for the day was along the stunning Costa Serena. |