Five Days Bike Packing Across Corsica
Corsica is one of those places that makes an impression straight away. You get off the ferry/plane, start riding, and very quickly realise how much is packed into this island. The roads are rarely flat, the mountains feel big and close, and the sea keeps appearing when you least expect it. One moment you’re spinning along the coast, the next you’re climbing deep inland through small villages where time seems to run on a different schedule.
This trip follows the GT20 (modified), Corsica’s grand traverse by road bike. Over five days, it covers roughly 615 kilometres with around 11,800 metres of climbing. It’s a tough route — long days, big distances, and plenty of elevation — but we made it as a kind of luxury edition: good coffee stops, great food, and comfortable places to sleep at the end of each day. It’s demanding, yes, but incredibly rewarding, and you don’t have to suffer every minute to experience it properly.
The route is designed for a road bike, but it also works beautifully on a gravel bike with slick or semi-slick tyres. For carrying gear, we recommend Tailfin bags — stable, clean, and ideal for long days in the mountains. And if there’s one piece of advice before diving in: plan a few days to slow down at the end. After five days of riding like this, Corsica deserves to be enjoyed off the bike too.
Best time to go: April, May & September (June/ March & October can also be nice but depends on the weather / crowds) avoid July, August and the winter months
Day 1 — Bastia → Macinaggio → Saint-Florent
112 km, 1,900 m elevation
Starting in Bastia right by the harbour, the route heads north along the coast towards Cap Corse. The first 40 km are flat and relaxed, always next to the sea, passing through Erbalunga before reaching Macinaggio. From there, the first climb of the GT20 leads to a stunning viewpoint over the western side of Cap Corse. The afternoon is all about rolling coastal roads, endless curves, and small villages like Pino and Canari, before reaching Nonza — the highlight of the day with its dramatic black sand beach. The final kilometres into Saint-Florent are best enjoyed at sunset.
Coffee spots
Café de la Tour – Centuri Port
Boulangerie Straboni
Lunch spot
La Sassa - Nonza
Highlight
Nonza
Hotel recommendation
Hôtel La Roya
Day 2 — Saint-Florent → Serriera
130 km, 2,300 m elevation
Day two moves away from the coast and into Corsica’s mountainous interior. The road winds through quiet villages like Lama, Feliceto, and Calenzana, mixing steady climbs with long valleys. After a fast descent into Galeria — the last close encounter with the sea for a while — the route turns inland again for the long and demanding climb to Col de la Croix. The day often ends late, with fading light and big mountain silhouettes leading you into Porto or Serriera.
Coffee spots
Licciola
Lunch spot
La Ciucciarella
Highlight
The climb to Col de la Croix, especially near sunset
Hotel recommendation
Day 3 — Serriera → Corte
141 km, 3,200 m elevation
The queen stage of the trip. The route passes through the iconic red rock formations of Piana and delivers unforgettable views over the Scandola Nature Reserve straight from the road. From there, the scenery shifts completely as you ride inland into the Vallée du Fangu — greener, quieter, and wilder — before the final long push towards Corte.
Coffee spots
Épicerie Castellani
Café Le Yuka
Coffee Cortenais (Corte)
Lunch spot
Albertacce or A Casuccia (Corte)
Highlight
Piana, Scandola Nature Reserve, Vallée du Fangu
Hotel recommendation
Day 4 — Corte → Sartène
138 km, 2,900 m elevation
Leaving Corte, the route dives deep into the island’s interior, crossing Cozzano, Punta di Poggio Grosso, Col de Verde, and Col de Sorba. It’s a quieter, more remote day defined by forests, long climbs, and wide mountain views, before descending towards Sartène.
Coffee spots
L’Ami du Pain (bakery)
Lunch spot
Restaurant U San Larenzu
Highlight
Col de Verde and the remote mountain roads
Hotel recommendation
Day 5 — Sartène → Bonifacio → Figari
93 km, 1,800 m elevation
The final day is shorter but stunning, rolling through southern Corsica via Chera and Orone before reaching the dramatic cliffs of Bonifacio. After exploring the old town and harbour, the ride continues to Figari, where the journey ends and recovery begins. You can also choose to stay in Bonifacio.
Coffee spots
L’Ortulinu Bakery (Bonifacio)
Lunch spot
La Voûte Bonifacio
Highlight
Bonifacio and its cliffs
Hotel recommendation
A Mandria di Murtoli (another great option to relax)
