Raid Corsica
- Epic six-day cycling challenge around the stunning island of Corsica
- 950 km circular route encompassing 14,900 m of ascent, taking in the cycling highlights of the island
- Official route including registration plus certificate and medal for successful finishers
- Stay in comfortable hotels (generally 3*) with traditional Corsican cuisine
- Enjoy incomparable full support - two customised support vans with attentive, expert (and fun!) guides who are there to motivate you and assist you with everything you need while on the road.
- A tough but truly unforgettable cycling experience
Days on the bike
Quote
Excellent - Corsica is stunning and the Raid route is a proper challenge.
Introduction
The Raid Corsica is a fabulous cycling route created by the Parisian Audax club, showcasing the whole of this spectacular island. You will immediately see why Corsica is referred to as the 'Isle of Beauty'. It's mountainous and geographically diverse with a huge variety of terrain - coastlines lapped by inviting azure seas, flatland marshes, the 'Desert des Agriates', a wild interior of high granite peaks, and a huge National Park covering over a third of the island. It has a complex history, and influences from Italy and France are evident in the cuisine, architecture, language, and politics.
This is an epic road cycling challenge in a magnificent location. In terms of difficulty, it's comparable to other raids of a similar length, such as Raid Pyrenean and Raid Alpine and while there are fewer big cols, you will be suitably tested by climbs such as the Vergio (1477m), Sorba, Verde, and Bavella which are all over 1200m altitude. Daily distances are actually a little longer than on other Marmot raids, with an average daily route of 161 km, making this a tough but manageable challenge for fit cyclists.
As with all our tours, you'll be supported by two skilled Marmot guides (in our highly customised support vans) who are attentive and energetic. Their aim is to ensure you have an incredible holiday, squeezing the fun into every moment and helping you smash your goals. We're passionate about what we do, and we pride ourselves on our attention to detail and individual customer focus. While this is a group holiday, our guides are experts at supporting you as an individual and they are adept at quickly understanding your needs and aspirations. This is a truly fabulous tour if you're looking for your next cycling challenge - one you'll never forget!
If you want to go cycling in Corsica but would prefer a flexible pace tour, you could check out our blogs Corsica vs Sardinia: A Tale of Two Mediterranean Isles Part I & Part II. To find out more about what it takes to cycle a raid, as well as the history and format, you can read our blogs RAIDS: A complete guide. All you need to know and more! and also Your Qs and As on Raid Cycling Challenges.Finally, check out our YouTube channel to watch our video giving you a flavour of the awesome Raid Corsica cycling challenge!
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 detailed GPS route files provided
- 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
- 7 three-course evening meals, with wine, beer or soft drinks included
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days at specified times
- Raid registration and carnet. Plus medal/certificate for successful finishers
- 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 detail
- Spending money for lunches and cafe drinks during the day. We encourage you to support local businesses
- 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! Weather in the mountains can be highly changeable, and sometimes extreme. You’re likely to encounter a range of conditions and temperatures during your trip. You should bring warm and waterproof layers to protect you from the cold and rain. This is particularly important for the long descents that you’ll encounter on this trip.
Fitness
The Raid Alpine route is a very challenging ride, and you need to be a fit and experienced road cyclist to enjoy and get the most out of this trip. You should look carefully at the daily stats of distance and climbing on the trip webpage to make sure this itinerary is right for you before you book. See our blog about Raids, and please get in touch if you’d like further guidance.
Hotels
We stay in comfortable 2* and 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 each night 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 typically start with breakfast from 07:00. Your set-off time will vary according to your riding pace and will usually be between 07:45 and 08:45 - your guides will advise you on a departure time that works for you and for the support of the group as a whole. Lunch is typically served in restaurants and cafes from 12:00 to 14:00. Arrival time at the hotel at the end of the riding day is usually between 17:00 and 20:00, depending on riding pace as well as on the weather, and any unforeseen problems. Dinner is usually served at 19:30 (the guides will arrange a later dinner for anyone getting in after this time). Your guides may adjust these timings depending on the needs of the group or the weather conditions.
Lifts in the van
This trip is all about completing the cycling challenge! You are of course welcome to have a lift in our vans if you need one, for example if you’re injured or exhausted. A lift in the van (unless it is downhill in bad weather conditions) will invalidate your Raid completion.
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 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 Calvi
You will absolutely love today's ride! First up, you'll be cycling around Cap Corse on a unique and stunning coast road with spectacular views. You arrive at the picturesque harbour town of St Florent about 106 km into your ride for a well-earned lunch, before climbing up to the rocky plateau of the ‘Desert des Agriates’ and the remote Bocca di Petraiolu (357m).
A fabulous descent sees you back on the coast road and heading south to l'Ile Rousse. From here, you head inland again on a beautiful backroad into the hills.The reward for your efforts is a great view of the mountains and coast from the Bocca di Salvi (509m) towards your destination Calvi way below. Calvi is one of the top tourist destinations on the island and if you have the energy for a dip in the sea or a stroll around the marina you will see why! It really is a beautiful spot.
Challenge : 193 KM with 2370m ascent [ride profile]
Day 2: Calvi to Calacuccia
Another stunning day of cycling lies ahead of you! Today you'll ride to the rural interior of Corsica, on the far side of rugged Mt Cinto at 2700m, Corsica's highest peak. It's a spectacular start to the day, as you head out on the stunning coast road that undulates south from Calvi.
Once over the Col de Palmarella (408m), you descend to Porto. This is at the base of the climb through Les Calanches - a landscape of rocky spires high above the deep blue sea. You'll get to see them in both directions on your excursion to Pina over the Col de Lava (491m) for a carnet stamp.
After lunch, you've got a fabulous climb ahead of you! The Col de Vergio (1477m) is the highest road col in Corsica, starting from sea level! This is a spectacular climb into the high mountains. You're rewarded with a long descent to the mountain hamlet of Calacuccia, where we stay the night. Day two done!
Challenge : 159 KM with 2860m ascent [ride profile]
Alternative to Coast Road : 151 KM with 3060m ascent [ride profile]
Day 3: Calacuccia to Santa-Maria-Siché
Today's route starts with a cracking descent down a road that snakes alongside a stunning river gorge before climbing up the Col d'Ominanda (653m). The historic capital town of Corte is well placed for a coffee stop to help fuel you over the five cols on today's ride!
Heading southwards through the lush, forested interior of the island, over the Col de Sorba (1311m) the Col de Verde (1289m), and the Col de la Granaccia (865m), you eventually arrive in Santa-Maria-Siché for a warm welcome from the hotel. Enjoy a hearty dinner and swap tales with your fellow riders ... It's a big day and we're certain it's one you'll never forget!
Challenge : 133 KM with 2700m ascent [ride profile]
Day 4: Santa-Maria-Siché to Sartène
This morning you head up to the mountain village of Bastelica for a carnet stamp and cafe stop. From here you descend on blissfully quiet, small, rural roads to the coast and Ajaccio, the modern capital of Corsica. There is a short stretch on a main road to get your carnet stamped on the edge of Ajaccio, but you're soon back on the coast road, linking one deserted beach with the next. The views of the Mediterranean are picture postcard-perfect.
Climbing up the Col de Coti-Chiavari (486m) leads you into the coastal hills of Corsica's jagged western edge. You'll be rewarded with spectacular views as you make your way to the delightful coastal town of Propriano - perfect for mid-afternoon ice cream! From here it's just one more climb to get to our hotel in Sartène, which is famous for its pirate history (today it's a historic, typically Corsican and pleasant town).
Challenge : 156 KM with 2540m ascent [ride profile]
Day 5: Sartène to Aléria
On the menu today are smooth roads, beautiful views, and historic destinations - everything you could possibly want from a cycling holiday! A fast, undulating road takes you to the incredible natural harbour at Bonifacio, on the very southern tip of the island where we pause for a coffee and a carnet stamp.
From here, we head back northwards to Porto Vecchio, on Corsica's east coast, where we turn inland and climb the Bocca d'Illarata (991m) to the delightful little mountain town of Zonza. Next up is the truly stunning Col de Bavella (1218m), where you're surrounded by towering granite peaks and sparse pine trees. A fabulous descent takes you back to sea level before a rare, flat stretch of road to Aléria, where we stay the night. Just one last push is needed tomorrow ...
Challenge : 187 KM with 2430m ascent [ride profile]
Day 6: Aléria to Bastia
Your final day in the saddle! With the end of the challenge in sight, you'll warm up with a slightly flatter start today, before exploring the hills that overlook Corsica's north-east coast. The climb is well worth the effort - it's a stunning route through picturesque villages and terraced hillsides, peaking out on the Col de St Agostino (685m)
Eventually, you descend to the coast and join a small road that runs along a coastal spur between a lagoon and the sea, leading to our hotel just south of Bastia. It has a pool and is within strolling distance of the sea. Why not take the opportunity of a dip in the warm waters of the Med that you've been eyeing up this week?
Enjoy celebrating your incredible achievement tonight - you certainly deserve it after six days of epic cycling! Chapeau!
Challenge : 119 KM with 2000m ascent [ride profile]
Day 7: Departure day
Sadly, it's time to say 'Au revoir' to Corsica as it's home time. We offer included transfers from the hotel to Bastia Airport (BIA), a journey of approx. 15 min, or to the ferry terminal (25 min).
We're sure your memories of this fabulous cycling challenge will last a lifetime!
✓ Included in your Holiday cost:
- 6 days of stunning cycling, with detailed GPS route files provided
- 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
- 7 three-course evening meals, with wine, beer or soft drinks included
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days at specified times
- Raid registration and carnet. Plus medal/certificate for successful finishers
- 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 detail
- Spending money for lunches and cafe drinks during the day. We encourage you to support local businesses
- 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! Weather in the mountains can be highly changeable, and sometimes extreme. You’re likely to encounter a range of conditions and temperatures during your trip. You should bring warm and waterproof layers to protect you from the cold and rain. This is particularly important for the long descents that you’ll encounter on this trip.
Fitness
The Raid Alpine route is a very challenging ride, and you need to be a fit and experienced road cyclist to enjoy and get the most out of this trip. You should look carefully at the daily stats of distance and climbing on the trip webpage to make sure this itinerary is right for you before you book. See our blog about Raids, and please get in touch if you’d like further guidance.
Hotels
We stay in comfortable 2* and 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 each night 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 typically start with breakfast from 07:00. Your set-off time will vary according to your riding pace and will usually be between 07:45 and 08:45 - your guides will advise you on a departure time that works for you and for the support of the group as a whole. Lunch is typically served in restaurants and cafes from 12:00 to 14:00. Arrival time at the hotel at the end of the riding day is usually between 17:00 and 20:00, depending on riding pace as well as on the weather, and any unforeseen problems. Dinner is usually served at 19:30 (the guides will arrange a later dinner for anyone getting in after this time). Your guides may adjust these timings depending on the needs of the group or the weather conditions.
Lifts in the van
This trip is all about completing the cycling challenge! You are of course welcome to have a lift in our vans if you need one, for example if you’re injured or exhausted. A lift in the van (unless it is downhill in bad weather conditions) will invalidate your Raid completion.
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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