Set between spectacular mountains and a bay with a clear, calm sea, Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica was a land conquered by important Mediterranean civilizations, such as the Greeks, Romans and Arabs, the island of Ajaccio has managed to retain a strong cultural identity, and the city has preserved its unique appearance even within the island.

However, it is the memory of the city’s most illustrious citizen, Napoleon Bonaparte, who was born here in 1769, that has left the most visible mark.

Even the port is spectacular and since ancient times has been considered extremely safe; a port that gave its name to the city as it was once called Agation, which means “safe harbour”.

Your La Fuga guides will meet you at Ajaccio Airport and take you to your accommodation at Radisson Blu Hotel; this drive will be just half an hour.

After assembling the bikes and depending on arrival time you should have time to test the legs out with a loosener ahead of dinner.

Leaving Ajaccio, hugging the coastline after climbing Bocca di Preno, Col de Carbinica and Col de San Bastiano, the route is just as Corsica itself; rolling terrain. It rises and falls gently, weaving its way across creeks that cascade down into the Mediterranean sea.

This route sometimes feels like it has been hand-made for cyclists. The surface is a little ‘interesting’ in places but overall a smooth ribbon to enjoy your first day on the island.

You will descent to Golfu di Liscia to touch the Mediterranean Sea before rapidly ascending towards Bocca Di Sant Antonio, Monte Rossu, Bocca Di Sarzoggiu, Bocca Di Pianu d’Arboir and downhill back to Ajaccio.

Leave Ajaccio from the eastside, Bocca Di Sant Albertu, Starting from Pisciatello, the Bocca di Sant’Albertu ascent is 14.4 km long. You climb 522 meters over this distance with a pleasant average ascent percentage of 3.6%.

You’ll take the Bocca di Marcujolu, then Col de Menta to the top of Col de Scalella The road over the pass is narrow, and includes several hairpins. You will find it more challenging through the village in your lowest gear around demanding hairpin corners to accomplish the 6 kms from Bastelica with a 7% average gradient.

The Col de Vizzavone divides the island between Corse du Sud and Haute Corse.

The climb starts in Vivario right in the centre of the island. With 12.4 km long, you will gain 503 height meters and an average of 4.1 %

The last climb of the day is Col de Belle Granaje and a series of undulations to your new accommodation where you have deserved a refreshing drink to celebrate a great day on the bike.

Following your path towards the north of the island, your first climb today is Bocca d’Ominanda. The challenge in this first cote remains within manageable limits at 4kms long and 250m ascent.

Croce d’Arbitro will be the next one on your list. North of the Col d’Ominandas almost to Ponte Leccia a superb winding Mountain road, made for cyclists.

A succession of three cols, Ravin de Pietra Sorda, Bocca di Foscatello and finally Col de Bigorno. You should ride it up the to the summit as the winding and narrow mountain road is a spectacular mountain pass gem.

You will find on the south side of the village Bigorno a high alpine seeming landscape. In contrast, on the north side, you drive through a mostly dense “primeval forest” of shrubs and bushes.

In the north of the pass, you pass near the church of San Michele de Murato. The Romanesque church dates from 1280 AD and is one of the great attractions of the Mediterranean island; Correspondingly often this building is also reflected on the postcards of Corsica, definitely worth a stop.
The last climb is Col de Teghime which will bring you to the Region Bastiaise to arrive at your hotel along the east coast to Erbalunga