cycling trip
to Balagne, Calanques de Piana
A cycling holiday starting from Corte that takes you from the mountains to the sea and from the sea to the mountains, discovering the Balagne, the Calanques de Piana and the Niolo with the Vergio Pass and the Scala di Santa Regina Gorges.
After two days of exploring these small Corsican roads in the interior, you’ll come face to face with the sea. You’ll then descend to the Île-Rousse and its beaches. After a night by the sea, you’ll cycle through centuries-old olive groves and past imposing religious buildings. You’re in the land of cultures and beliefs, the inland Balagne.
Take a small road by the sea and you’ll reach the famous Calanques de Piana. The mountain stage is at your feet: you climb the Vergio Pass before descending to the high plateau of the Niolo area.
On the way back to Corte, you’ll cross the Scala di Santa Regina gorge to add to your sense of wonder.
This is a holiday dedicated to the discovery of majestic landscapes, where you’ll have the opportunity to ride in comfort, even on the climb to the Vergio Pass, if you’re on an electric bike, or in a more sporty way with a gravel bike.
Olive trees, the sea and the mountains.
Welcome to Corsica
cycling trip to Balagne, Calanques de Piana
Dates
From 1 April to 31 May 2025
From 1 June to 30 June 2025
From 1 July to 31 July 2025
Du 1 August to 24 August 2025
Du 25 August to 31 August 2025
From 1 September 2025
Supplement for a single room
*Price per person based on 2 people
Prix*
900 €
960 €
1 010€
1060 €
1 010 €
960 €
420 €
Prices for 4 or more people
860 €
920 €
970 €
1 020 €
970 €
920 €
Day 1
Start your stay in Corte. You will be provided with bicycles and instructions on how to use them. You will make your first tour of the Bozio micro-region, where villages line the roads or perch on rocky outcrops. Small dry-stone walls, chapels and churches bear witness to the typical architecture of the area. Overnight in a bed and breakfast near Ponte-Leccia.
Dinner with your hosts.
Distance: 25 km; elevation: +250 m
Long route: distance 60 km, elevation +1100 m
Day 2
Crossing the Giunssani, a micro-region unknown to tourists. Take a small winding road that climbs to the Col de Capanna (844m), from where you can see the sea. The Balagne stretches out under your pedals.
Distance: 45 km; ascent: +600 m
Long circuit: distance 54 km, ascent +1100 m
Day 3
From Île-Rousse to Calvi via the artisan route. This is a balcony road that allows you to discover the Balagne region and admire magnificent views of the sea. You will also pass through many picturesque villages, such as San-Antonino, perched on a rocky spur. Large monasteries, beautiful Romanesque churches and numerous mausoleums bear witness to the importance of religion in Corsica.Overnight stay in the heart of the Genoese city.
Distance: 30 km; ascent +650 m
Long route: distance 45 km, ascent +650 m
Day 4
Take the road that runs along the coast to Galeria. Although it is a “terrible” road to drive on, the journey becomes a magnificent itinerary where you cycle from coves to beaches, with the desire to stop and contemplate at every turn. Small roads lead you to beautiful panoramas such as the chapel of Notre Dame de la Serra, the Revellata peninsula or the bay of Crovani.
A quiet night in Galeria.
Distance: 38 km; ascent: +280 m
Day 5
The route from Galeria to Porto is one of the most beautiful in all of Corsica. You follow the west coast along a narrow, winding road. Throughout the day, you will enjoy magnificent views of the rugged coastline with, in the distance, the cliffs of the Scandola nature reserve and the Gulf of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight in Porto.
Distance: 50 km; ascent: +500 m
Day 6
From Porto to the Vergio Pass. On the way, stop at the famous Calanques de Piana, where the road winds between the fantastic shapes of the red rocks and offers a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Porto. Ascent to Evisa along one of the most characteristic roads of Corsica, with mountainous landscapes and animals: cows, pigs and goats. The view of the cliffs of the Spelunca gorges is breathtaking. You can swim in the natural pools of Aïtone.
Overnight in the small mountain village of Evisa.
Distance: 27 km; ascent: +850 m
Long route: distance 75 km ascent +850 m
Day 7
Climb up in the shade of the Aïtone forest to the Passo Vergio (1,477 m), the highest point of the itinerary, then descend through the Valdu-Niellu forest with its magnificent lariccio pines. Continue through the narrow gorges of the Scala di Santa Regina, where the road overlooks the narrow gorges of the Golu. Numerous pools invite you to take a swim. A final small pass leads to Corte.
Distance : 65 km; ascent: +1,000 m
Accommodation:
- 5 nights in a hotel
- 1 night in a bed and breakfast
- 6 breakfasts.
- 2 dinners included (Day 1 and Day 6)
- Bicycle hire
- High quality electric bike, adapted to your journey.
- It is equipped with a triple pannier for long distances, with a total capacity of 64 litres.
- All accessories are provided: helmet, lock and tool kit.
- The travel diary, which will be issued once payment for your stay has been made, contains a day-by-day description of the itinerary, the route on a 1:25,000 scale map and practical information.
- Lunch picnic.
- Dinners on days 2 to 5: choice of local restaurants.
Cancellation and repatriation insurance unless you have taken the option.
Any changes you make to the programme are at your own expense.
To get to Corsica, you can take advantage of the sailboats of Sailcoop.
By opting for this low-carbon mode of transport, Altipiani will give you a 5% discount on your stay. Sailcoop will also give you a 5% discount on a one-way crossing and 8% on a return trip.
To get to Corte, take the train from the main Corsican cities: Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi and L’Île-Rousse.
Train timetables: https://cf-corse.corsica/
If you are coming by plane, be aware that connections with Figari airport are complicated.
cycling trip to Balagne, Calanques de Piana
Day 1
Start your stay in Corte. You will be provided with bicycles and instructions on how to use them. You will make your first tour of the Bozio micro-region, where villages line the roads or perch on rocky outcrops. Small dry-stone walls, chapels and churches bear witness to the typical architecture of the area. Overnight in a bed and breakfast near Ponte-Leccia.
Dinner with your hosts.
Distance: 25 km; elevation: +250 m
Long route: distance 60 km, elevation +1100 m
Day 2
Crossing the Giunssani, a micro-region unknown to tourists. Take a small winding road that climbs to the Col de Capanna (844m), from where you can see the sea. The Balagne stretches out under your pedals.
Distance: 45 km; ascent: +600 m
Long circuit: distance 54 km, ascent +1100 m
Day 3
From Île-Rousse to Calvi via the artisan route. This is a balcony road that allows you to discover the Balagne region and admire magnificent views of the sea. You will also pass through many picturesque villages, such as San-Antonino, perched on a rocky spur. Large monasteries, beautiful Romanesque churches and numerous mausoleums bear witness to the importance of religion in Corsica.Overnight stay in the heart of the Genoese city.
Distance: 30 km; ascent +650 m
Long route: distance 45 km, ascent +650 m
Day 4
Take the road that runs along the coast to Galeria. Although it is a “terrible” road to drive on, the journey becomes a magnificent itinerary where you cycle from coves to beaches, with the desire to stop and contemplate at every turn. Small roads lead you to beautiful panoramas such as the chapel of Notre Dame de la Serra, the Revellata peninsula or the bay of Crovani.
A quiet night in Galeria.
Distance: 38 km; ascent: +280 m
Day 5
The route from Galeria to Porto is one of the most beautiful in all of Corsica. You follow the west coast along a narrow, winding road. Throughout the day, you will enjoy magnificent views of the rugged coastline with, in the distance, the cliffs of the Scandola nature reserve and the Gulf of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight in Porto.
Distance: 50 km; ascent: +500 m
Day 6
From Porto to the Vergio Pass. On the way, stop at the famous Calanques de Piana, where the road winds between the fantastic shapes of the red rocks and offers a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Porto. Ascent to Evisa along one of the most characteristic roads of Corsica, with mountainous landscapes and animals: cows, pigs and goats. The view of the cliffs of the Spelunca gorges is breathtaking. You can swim in the natural pools of Aïtone.
Overnight in the small mountain village of Evisa.
Distance: 27 km; ascent: +850 m
Long route: distance 75 km ascent +850 m
Day 7
Climb up in the shade of the Aïtone forest to the Passo Vergio (1,477 m), the highest point of the itinerary, then descend through the Valdu-Niellu forest with its magnificent lariccio pines. Continue through the narrow gorges of the Scala di Santa Regina, where the road overlooks the narrow gorges of the Golu. Numerous pools invite you to take a swim. A final small pass leads to Corte.
Distance : 65 km; ascent: +1,000 m
Accommodation:
- 5 nights in a hotel
- 1 night in a bed and breakfast
- 6 breakfasts.
- 2 dinners included (Day 1 and Day 6)
- Bicycle hire
- High quality electric bike, adapted to your journey.
- It is equipped with a triple pannier for long distances, with a total capacity of 64 litres.
- All accessories are provided: helmet, lock and tool kit.
- The travel diary, which will be issued once payment for your stay has been made, contains a day-by-day description of the itinerary, the route on a 1:25,000 scale map and practical information.
- Lunch picnic.
- Dinners on days 2 to 5: choice of local restaurants.
Cancellation and repatriation insurance unless you have taken the option.
Any changes you make to the programme are at your own expense.
To get to Corsica, you can take advantage of the sailboats of Sailcoop.
By opting for this low-carbon mode of transport, Altipiani will give you a 5% discount on your stay. Sailcoop will also give you a 5% discount on a one-way crossing and 8% on a return trip.
To get to Corte, take the train from the main Corsican cities: Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi and L’Île-Rousse.
Train timetables: https://cf-corse.corsica/
If you are coming by plane, be aware that connections with Figari airport are complicated.
Dates & Prices
Price per person based on 2 people
Prices for 4 or more people
