Corsican Highlights
- Explore the beautiful island of Corsica on this fabulous ride through Mediterranean coastal scenery, rural countryside, and incredible mountains
- Flexible pace itinerary, with a choice of daily routes plus optional extras each day for those looking for more of a challenge
- Comfortable and friendly hotels with generous Corsican cuisine
- Experience the culture and historic towns of this fascinating island
- Excellent support from two expert, proactive guides with their two customised support vans, focused on making your holiday the best it can be
Days on the bike
Quote
The route and itinerary were fabulous. I loved the ability to choose red or blue routes each day or a combo of both. It was challenging, beautiful and I loved Corsica with its variety of scenery over a relatively short distance. This aspect of the holiday was faultless.
Introduction
Corsica - the Island of Beauty - is a stunning destination to explore on two wheels, and this tour is a favourite of many of the Marmot guiding team. It offers all the essential ingredients for a fabulous cycling holiday: magnificent mountains, sweeping coastline, historic ports and quaint towns, sunshine and warm, scented breezes. Add a splash of Corsican culture and this holiday really does have it all! This flexible-route road cycling holiday showcases Corsica's highlights and you'll enjoy far reaching sea views, peaceful roads, beautiful climbs and of course, excellent support from two Marmot guides and support vans.
Like all our flexible-route, flexible-pace holidays, we've designed a Classic route that can be taken steadily and is manageable and enjoyable for healthy cyclists, regardless of your experience in the mountains. However, this holiday also offers a fantastic challenge for those wanting to push themselves further: each day there is an optional Challenge route with extra loops and climbs, increasing the possible daily stats to around 130km per day with 2,000 to 2,800m of climbing.
If you're a fit cyclist and you want even more of a challenge, then you may also be interested in our Raid Corsica cycling tour.
We're often asked what the difference is between Sardinia and Corsica, so if you wanted to know this, you could read our two-part blog Corsica vs Sardinia: A Tale of Two Mediterranean Isles Part I & Part II . We hope it helps you decide which of these Mediterranean isles is best for you and your goals.
For the latest travel advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
✓ Included in your Holiday cost:
- 6 days of stunning cycling with route options daily
- Detailed GPS route files provided for all route options
- On-the-road support from two friendly and knowledgable guides both in customised support vehicles
- Water and unlimited snacks (fruit, cake, nuts, snack bars etc) at support stops
- 7 nights twin-share hotel accommodation including breakfasts
- 6 three-course evening meals, with wine, beer or soft drinks included (evening meals on all nights for 2026)
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days at specified times
- Our photos of you and your holiday, shared with you after the trip
- Tips paid to evening meal restaurant staff on behalf of the group
- Your money financially protected by ABTOT
- Added consumer confidence and support via our ABTA membership
+ Optional extras subject to availability for a supplementary cost:
- BOOKED IN ADVANCE: Your own single-occupancy hotel room for the whole trip
- BOOKED IN ADVANCE: Hire bike - titanium frame with hi spec components, safety checked by your guides each day
- ON-TRIP: Spare bike tyres, tubes and components in case you need them in an emergency
- ON-TRIP: CO2 canisters to borrow (and pay for if you use them)
- Marmot Tours x Stolen Goat cycling kit available exclusively from our online shop
×Not included in your Holiday cost:
- Flights to and from the destination airport
- Insurance for you and your own bike. See FAQs for details
- Spending money for lunches and cafe drinks during the day. We encourage you to support local businesses
- Dinner on one night in Corte (from 2027), so that you are free to explore the local restaurants
- Tips for your guides
- Energy gels, powders, or recovery drinks/snacks (please bring your personal favourites with you)
- Spare parts specific to your own bike, definitely bring your own spare hanger! See Essential Info
- GPS navigation device and handlebar mount
- Bike lights (whether hiring or bringing your own bike)
- HIRING A BIKE: Bring your own pedals (saddles are provided but we recommend you bring your own to be comfortable)
Weather
We hope you’ll have sunshine and perfect cycling temperatures during your holiday, but obviously it’s the one aspect of your trip over which we have no control! The weather is likely to vary during your trip, and even during fine weather it can be cold in the morning and on descents. You should bring warm and waterproof layers to protect you from cold and rain.
Fitness
This Classic, flexible-pace holiday itinerary offers a lot of flexibility, with a Classic and a Challenge route available each day (and sometimes an additional easier route too - see the trip description on the webpage for details of the route options available each day). Have a look at the daily stats of distance and climbing on the trip webpage. Although we move on most days, the distance and altitude gain between hotels are manageable for most people who road-cycle regularly. Please get in touch if you’d like further guidance.
Hotels
We stay in comfortable mostly 3* hotels with ensuite facilities. We have selected the hotels for their location and for their customer service towards cyclists. You will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender) unless you book a single room for a supplement (contact [email protected] for availability). Each hotel has a garage/locked room to ensure that your bike has a comfortable night too.
All the hotels have WiFi but it is not always reliable! Some only have WiFi in reception as opposed to in individual rooms. Also, WiFi can be slower in the evenings when many riders choose to upload their routes to Strava, stretching the bandwidth.
We move on most nights of this trip, so opportunities to use hotel laundry facilities (where they exist) are limited. However, we can help dry your hand-washed kit, so consider bringing some hand-wash detergent with you.
Dietary requirements
The hotels and restaurants we use can cater for most dietary needs and allergies if we know what these are well in advance. Each day, your guides will also double-check with the kitchen, to ensure they have something suitable planned for you.
You can let us know about any special dietary requirements on the booking form or via email. Please note that we request you stick to your dietary preference for the entire trip, as it’s very complicated for the hotels (and guides) if an individual has dietary requirements for some meals and not for others.
Despite endless perseverance from us, some hotels still struggle at times to accommodate specific diets. It is possible you’ll encounter some repetitive dishes across the week.
Timings
Your day will usually start with breakfast from around 08:00 with set off time at around 09:00 to 09:30. Lunch is typically served in restaurants and cafes from 12:00 to 14:00. Depending on which route you choose each day, you’ll be back at the hotel any time between 14:00 and 18:00. Dinner is usually served at 19:30. Your guides may occasionally need to adjust these timings depending on the needs of the group or the weather conditions.
Lifts in the van
Our holidays are cycling holidays (with an emphasis on cycling!), but you are welcome to have a lift in our vans during the day if you need one, for example if you’re injured, exhausted, or unsure about riding in challenging weather conditions. If you become ill or injured and are not planning to ride for the whole day (or if you would just like a day off the bike!), then we will normally recommend that you take a taxi directly to the next hotel. This will give you the maximum possible time to rest and recover at the hotel, or to enjoy other activities off the bike.
Carbon wheels
If you have rim brakes on your carbon wheels then we definitely do NOT recommend you bring them on this holiday - this is because we have witnessed several cases of sudden and catastrophic delamination of these wheels on descents. Take a look at our blog about this issue.
Bike spares
If you’re bringing your own bike, then please also bring:
-
bike lights
-
a pump
-
tyre levers
-
inner tubes
-
brake pads
-
a chain link
-
a spare rear derailleur hanger.
Tools for bike assembly are not required as Marmot Tours has them available for you to use on arrival (including a torque wrench). See FAQS for more detail.
Travel documents
If you are a non-EU national, to enter the EU you will need a passport issued within the last 10 years, that is also valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU.
Residents of many countries can enter the EU for short stays without a visa. From 2027, all non-EU visitors to the EU will require an ETIAS electronic travel authorisation.
Travel insurance is essential for all Marmot Tours holidays and anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the tour.
Departure Dates & Prices
We are pleased to offer some tempting discounts off the basic trip cost (not including extras such as single rooms or bike hire):
- Book & pay your deposit more than 6 months in advance of the start of your holiday for our 5% early bookers discount
- Get a group of 10+ people together for a 7.5% group discount and, as the group organiser, receive a £150 voucher for your next holiday
- Be rewarded for your loyalty by receiving a 10% discount from your third Marmot Tours road cycling holiday onwards
Please note that there is a maximum 10% discount on any holiday.
Map
Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival day
We offer transfers from Bastia Airport (BIA) with a journey time of approx. 30 min at various times throughout the day and Bastia ferry terminal (for ferries from mainland France (Nice or Toulon) or Italy) is in short walking distance from our start hotel in Bastia.
The hotel is ideally located for the town centre with its shops and cafes and there's a small beach (Plage de Toga) 400 m to the north. There will be time to assemble your bikes and have a welcome briefing, followed by a great dinner, where you can get to know your fellow riders.
Day 1: Bastia to St-Florent
You start your Corsica adventure with a ride around the unique and beautiful Cap Corse. This has to be one of the most stunning roads to cycle in Europe. It undulates its way along the east coast, linking sheltered coves for 30km to the fishing village of Macinaggio. You then traverse to the west coast via the Col de la Serra (365m). This side of the peninsula is dramatically different and the road stays high, linking hilltop villages and commanding great views.
Your destination is the idyllic coastal town of St-Florent. The afternoon can be spent exploring the port or relaxing by the hotel pool. As always, there is more riding for those that would like it. Today's optional extra takes you into the hills behind St-Florent on a quiet road linking rural hamlets and several cols.
Classic : 105 KM with 1300m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge : 157 KM with 2100m ascent [ride profile]
Day 2: St-Florent to Calvi
Leaving St-Florent, you climb through the 'geological chaos' of the Désert des Agriates - a strikingly different landscape - followed by a fantastic descent. You then head inland on a very narrow road taking you through the isolated hamlet of Novella and up to the Col de San-Colombano (694m). The final part of the climb is on the old main road which traverses the mountainside with big views of the coast to the north.
After Belgodère you join a balcony road that winds its way around the mountainside linking remote villages and remaining fairly flat for 25 km. Eventually, you descend to the historic town of Calvi, hopefully in time to explore the citadel and enjoy the sandy beach.
For those riders choosing the Challenge route, today’s first optional extra takes you to an even more spectacular view from the Col de Bataille (1096m). At the end of the day, the route can also be extended by continuing along the balcony road a bit further to Calenzana.
Easier : 90 KM with 900m ascent [ride profile]
Classic : 105 KM with 1300m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge : 138 KM with 2300m ascent [ride profile]
Day 3: Calvi to Porto
Today's ride is truly spectacular from the outset, as you head off around the stunning northwest coast road, which despite the fairly rough surface is a highlight of the island. It leads you to the Col de Palmarella (408m), commanding a great view along the rugged western coastline, which we traverse on a cliff-hugging road for the rest of the day.
Our destination is the idyllic fishing village of Porto. Here you have several options: 1) put the bike to one side and take a boat trip to explore the spectacular and rugged red cliffs of the Calanque di Piana from the sea. 2) Ride up to Piana for lunch (and back the same way) on an incredible road hewn out of the red cliffs. 3) Continue from Piana on an epic ride over the Col de Lava (491m) and challenging Col de Sevi (1105m).
Easier : 82 KM with 1000m ascent [ride profile]
Harder - Alternative to coast road : 74 KM with 1200m ascent
Classic : 105 KM with 1550m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge : 172 KM with 3000m ascent [ride profile]
Day 4: Porto to Corte
Tonight's destination is Corte, the historical capital of Corsica. Set in the centre of the island, it has a very different atmosphere to the coastal towns. If you have the energy, it's well worth wandering up to the citadel.
Between Porto and Corte lies the central rib of the island, which is crossed via the Col de Vergio (1477m), the highest road pass on Corsica. Although not high compared to the mighty cols of the Alps or Pyrenees, we are starting at sea level, which makes this a significant challenge! That said, the gradients are generally kind and the ever-changing scenery keeps you motivated.
What goes up, must come down and the descent down the Gorges de la Ruda is spectacular. Here, the routes split and the Classic route heads over the Col d'Ominanda (654m) to Corte. The Challenge route takes a beautiful detour into the forested heart of the island over the Col Sant'antone (993m).
**NEW FOR 2027 TOURS:** Tonight's dinner is not included, giving you the opportunity to explore the restaurants in town and choose for yourself.
Classic : 85 KM with 1750m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge : 132 KM with 2450m ascent [ride profile]
Day 5: Corte to Solenzara
Today you explore the mountainous interior of the island, which is more populated with goats, pigs, and cows than people. You'll set off over the Col de Bellagranajo (715m) and climb up to a cafe adorned with Corsican charcuterie, which makes a welcome coffee stop.
Next up is the great climb of Col de Sorba (1314m) nestled in the sparse pine forest. Yet another epic descent plunges you into the deep ravine of the Défilé de l'Inzecca and almost back to sea level. From here you can either head for the coastal plain and enjoy the only flat road of the week or head back into the hills on an amazing undulating road (with opt-outs!), linking more remote unspoiled villages.
Whichever route you take, you end up in the fishing port of Solenzara, where we spend our final two nights.
Classic : 91 KM with 1400m ascent [ride profile]
Harder : 118 KM with 2500m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge : 133 KM with 3300m ascent [ride profile]
Day 6: Day ride from Solenzara
The Col de Bavella (1218m) is a fitting grand finale to our week on this wonderful island. It has to be one of the most beautiful mountain passes in Europe with its backdrop of rugged granite peaks, which also makes it a mecca for rock climbers and walkers.
You have the option of taking a leisurely lunch on the col before heading back to the hotel, or as always there are options for extending your ride. Descending to the mountain town of Zonza and then back up the Col de Bavella (1218m) from the west is highly recommended, whilst those wanting a truly epic final day can continue on another loop into the mountainous interior.
Once all the bikes are packed up, all that's left to do is enjoy a celebratory dinner and final glass of Pietra beer. Happy Days!
Classic : 61 KM with 1500m ascent [ride profile]
Harder : 79 KM with 2000m ascent
Challenge : 121 KM with 2800m ascent [ride profile]
Day 7: Departure day
Sadly your week in Corsica has come to an end, but we guarantee you'll have numerous fantastic memories of cycling here. We offer included airport transfers at specified times back to Bastia Airport (BIA), a journey of approx. 1 hr 30 min.
We may also be able to drop you at Bastia Port (please contact us to discuss this option).
✓ Included in your Holiday cost:
- 6 days of stunning cycling with route options daily
- Detailed GPS route files provided for all route options
- On-the-road support from two friendly and knowledgable guides both in customised support vehicles
- Water and unlimited snacks (fruit, cake, nuts, snack bars etc) at support stops
- 7 nights twin-share hotel accommodation including breakfasts
- 6 three-course evening meals, with wine, beer or soft drinks included (evening meals on all nights for 2026)
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days at specified times
- Our photos of you and your holiday, shared with you after the trip
- Tips paid to evening meal restaurant staff on behalf of the group
- Your money financially protected by ABTOT
- Added consumer confidence and support via our ABTA membership
+ Optional extras subject to availability for a supplementary cost:
- BOOKED IN ADVANCE: Your own single-occupancy hotel room for the whole trip
- BOOKED IN ADVANCE: Hire bike - titanium frame with hi spec components, safety checked by your guides each day
- ON-TRIP: Spare bike tyres, tubes and components in case you need them in an emergency
- ON-TRIP: CO2 canisters to borrow (and pay for if you use them)
- Marmot Tours x Stolen Goat cycling kit available exclusively from our online shop
×Not included in your Holiday cost:
- Flights to and from the destination airport
- Insurance for you and your own bike. See FAQs for details
- Spending money for lunches and cafe drinks during the day. We encourage you to support local businesses
- Dinner on one night in Corte (from 2027), so that you are free to explore the local restaurants
- Tips for your guides
- Energy gels, powders, or recovery drinks/snacks (please bring your personal favourites with you)
- Spare parts specific to your own bike, definitely bring your own spare hanger! See Essential Info
- GPS navigation device and handlebar mount
- Bike lights (whether hiring or bringing your own bike)
- HIRING A BIKE: Bring your own pedals (saddles are provided but we recommend you bring your own to be comfortable)
Weather
We hope you’ll have sunshine and perfect cycling temperatures during your holiday, but obviously it’s the one aspect of your trip over which we have no control! The weather is likely to vary during your trip, and even during fine weather it can be cold in the morning and on descents. You should bring warm and waterproof layers to protect you from cold and rain.
Fitness
This Classic, flexible-pace holiday itinerary offers a lot of flexibility, with a Classic and a Challenge route available each day (and sometimes an additional easier route too - see the trip description on the webpage for details of the route options available each day). Have a look at the daily stats of distance and climbing on the trip webpage. Although we move on most days, the distance and altitude gain between hotels are manageable for most people who road-cycle regularly. Please get in touch if you’d like further guidance.
Hotels
We stay in comfortable mostly 3* hotels with ensuite facilities. We have selected the hotels for their location and for their customer service towards cyclists. You will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender) unless you book a single room for a supplement (contact [email protected] for availability). Each hotel has a garage/locked room to ensure that your bike has a comfortable night too.
All the hotels have WiFi but it is not always reliable! Some only have WiFi in reception as opposed to in individual rooms. Also, WiFi can be slower in the evenings when many riders choose to upload their routes to Strava, stretching the bandwidth.
We move on most nights of this trip, so opportunities to use hotel laundry facilities (where they exist) are limited. However, we can help dry your hand-washed kit, so consider bringing some hand-wash detergent with you.
Dietary requirements
The hotels and restaurants we use can cater for most dietary needs and allergies if we know what these are well in advance. Each day, your guides will also double-check with the kitchen, to ensure they have something suitable planned for you.
You can let us know about any special dietary requirements on the booking form or via email. Please note that we request you stick to your dietary preference for the entire trip, as it’s very complicated for the hotels (and guides) if an individual has dietary requirements for some meals and not for others.
Despite endless perseverance from us, some hotels still struggle at times to accommodate specific diets. It is possible you’ll encounter some repetitive dishes across the week.
Timings
Your day will usually start with breakfast from around 08:00 with set off time at around 09:00 to 09:30. Lunch is typically served in restaurants and cafes from 12:00 to 14:00. Depending on which route you choose each day, you’ll be back at the hotel any time between 14:00 and 18:00. Dinner is usually served at 19:30. Your guides may occasionally need to adjust these timings depending on the needs of the group or the weather conditions.
Lifts in the van
Our holidays are cycling holidays (with an emphasis on cycling!), but you are welcome to have a lift in our vans during the day if you need one, for example if you’re injured, exhausted, or unsure about riding in challenging weather conditions. If you become ill or injured and are not planning to ride for the whole day (or if you would just like a day off the bike!), then we will normally recommend that you take a taxi directly to the next hotel. This will give you the maximum possible time to rest and recover at the hotel, or to enjoy other activities off the bike.
Carbon wheels
If you have rim brakes on your carbon wheels then we definitely do NOT recommend you bring them on this holiday - this is because we have witnessed several cases of sudden and catastrophic delamination of these wheels on descents. Take a look at our blog about this issue.
Bike spares
If you’re bringing your own bike, then please also bring:
-
bike lights
-
a pump
-
tyre levers
-
inner tubes
-
brake pads
-
a chain link
-
a spare rear derailleur hanger.
Tools for bike assembly are not required as Marmot Tours has them available for you to use on arrival (including a torque wrench). See FAQS for more detail.
Travel documents
If you are a non-EU national, to enter the EU you will need a passport issued within the last 10 years, that is also valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU.
Residents of many countries can enter the EU for short stays without a visa. From 2027, all non-EU visitors to the EU will require an ETIAS electronic travel authorisation.
Travel insurance is essential for all Marmot Tours holidays and anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the tour.
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