Tag: Corsica

Corsica (La Corse) -2

The views from the coast road leading south from Porto are just stunning as the road winds it way along a Ridge in the mountains that meet the sea.

The section to Piana is especially stunning, but the coastal road through to Ajaccio is beautiful scenic riding.

Just before Ajaccio there is an opportunity to cut inland into the mountains in search of another beautiful Col.

Corsica is a bit like stepping back in time. Back before livestock were kept in cleared paddocks. Domestic pigs, cows and sheep grazes freely in the Corsican forests. This adds an extra challenge to riding these amazing mountain roads.

Just below the Col de la Vaccia there is a little Auberge that serves beautiful Corsican dishes, wine and beer. The next day we were on the afternoon ferry to Corsica from Bonifacio, an easy ride away so this seemed to be the spot to stop and watch the sun go down over the mountains.

Two nights in Corsica definitely wasn’t enough but that is the downfall of planning trips from the other side of the world.

The next day was a ride to Port town of Bonifacio where there are three ferries a day that cross from Corsica to Sardinia.

Corsica (La Corse) -1

As the ferry approached Bastia the clouds hanging low over the mountains was a portend of the hot and steamy welcome awaiting in Bastia.

The ferry berthed at 0700 and the line of exiting traffic snaked along the roads out of the city.

The road over the Col de Vergio (the highest road in Corsica) is one of the great rides of Europe. Therefore on my agenda.

Morning coffee at at a little village Cafe in the foothills was the perfect first stop of the day.

The road crosses Corsica from east coast to west finishing in the seaside village or Porto.

The eastern side of the Col climbs up though beautiful pine forests offering cool shade.

Higher the forests give way to rocky gorges, steep sloops and narrow ancient roads.

Till the Col is reached.

With the Virgin standing atop the Col

The road down to Porto on the west side of Corsica is also a cracker.

Don’t you just love those stone Corsican safety barriers.

The road, one of the great rides of Europe end ar the beach at Porto, a small boating village. The municipal camping ground is only 400 metres from the beach and offers cheap, shady camping sites.

And a cold beer at the beach bar after a long day’s ride and a swim.