The best of Corsica by motorbike in a few stages and a few days. A short guide to exploring this wild island with a turquoise sea.
Crystal clear sea, enchanting beaches, wild nature and dizzying roads, these are the first words that make us think of Corsica. After various adventures in previous years this island has literally made us lose our minds.
We decide to deepen the discovery of Corsica with new stages and experiences that, in previous years, we had missed. Throughout your stay on this island you can enjoy roads in good condition full of our beloved curves, but beware, the probability of running into free animals is very high, especially in the wildest and most mountainous areas.
Content index
- Things to know
- The finger of Corsica
- The Agriates desert
- Canyons and Badlands
- The Bonifacio fjord
- And return
Departure
Remember you are in France therefore it is mandatory to wear gloves approved and have the reflective jacket with you. Our vehicle is a Bmw F 800 equipped with aluminum side bags and a car plate built to carry a 100 liter bag.
It is a quiet evening in late July, the port of Vado Ligure awaits us for our trip on Corsica Ferries. We set sail in the late evening, the sea is calm and we, as good wanderers, find accommodation under the stars on the deck of the ship with deck chairs and hammock.
The finger
The following morning Corsica greets us with a colorful sunrise. At around 6,30 we disembark at the port of Bastia, still asleep, and immediately head towards Macinaggio, a seaside town located on the north-western side of the Corsican cape (“pollicione” of Corsica). We find a campsite to settle down and prepare for the trekking on the customs officers' path that runs along the coast for 19 km inside the Mediterranean scrub. The view is nothing short of spectacular, there are several beaches and coves where you can cool off. We have only explored a part of it, we recommend that you calculate well the water and food reserves to take with you as there are few refreshment points along the way.
The desert des Agriates
The second day we travel along roads full of curves overlooking the sea. We pass Nonza and San Fiorenzo and then venture on a dirt road in the Agriates desert that allows us to reach the Saleccia beach, known for its Caribbean sea. We advise you to organize the passage on this road in the coolest hours. The road is mainly composed of earth, rocks smoothed by the passage of vehicles and in some places sand. We reach Camping U paradisu where we will spend the next two days immersed in nature.
Canyons and badlands
The next stop is Corte in the heart of Corsica. Even if it is located at about 500m above sea level, temperatures are over 40 degrees! To cool off we reach the river in the Canyon du Verghellu where we have our first canyoning experience. From the center of Corsica we decide to cross the Gorges de la Ruda, on the edge of the natural park, and reach the Calanques de Piana. This coastal area is characterized by red rocks with bizarre shapes that fall sheer to the sea. A wonder not to be missed!
The Bonifacio fjord
From here you can reach Bonifacio in almost four hours: the southernmost city of the island. It is placed on a cliff from which the mouths of Bonifacio can be admired. The bustling port, the bars with typical products, the ancient walls of the citadel and the Gouvernail are just some of the attractions that make this Corsican city unique. The area is also rich in beaches and coves that can be reached in motorcycle or after a walk. Our favorites are the Tonnara, Fazio and the unmissable Saint Antoine with the orca cave: a rock with a hole from which you can see the sea below. Just outside Bonifacio you can find many campsites with reasonable prices.
And return
The return to the port of Bastia takes about three hours of barren landscapes and vineyards by the sea. Unfortunately it is already time to return. Also this year we confirm our love for this island.
Our travel company is one BMW GS 800, rubberized with Event R, equipped with Touratech side cases and duffel bag Amphibious 100 lt, helmet Schubert E1 e Scorpion EXO 510.
Follow the blog of Marco and Sofia, around the world with their camper, at the link breathefreedom.it
Discover also the itineraries in motion in the nearby Sardegna.
