I’ve always said that Corsica is one of my favourite places to cycle a bike - anywhere. Having returned to Corsica this year on our Corsica and Sardinia Cycle Tour, it once again confirmed that - the spectacular coastline, the 2000m+ high mountain peaks rising out of the sea, contrasting mountain and coastal landscapes, post-ride evening swims in the sparkling Med and the distinctly Corsican culture and cuisine. I think the photos tell the story! We combined Corsica with Italy’s northern Sardinia - the famous blues of the Costa Smeralda and rugged and traditional interior of the Gallura - finishing in the enchanting seaside town of Alghero, with it’s Catalan heritage - a perfect celebration for our unforgettable adventure! In fact, it was such a success it’ll be back on the WOR itinerary… so submit your EOI for 2027!

The 2026 Tour itinerary was different and new. I had wanted to include Cap Corse - the finger like promontory on the north east of the island in to our Tour for many years. Having cycled it with panniers twice - the scenery and rolling coastal road offers possibly the best coastal cycling in the world (right Paul D?) and it provided a perfect first day’s ride from Bastia. I also wanted to adjust previous iterations of the Tour so that we’d be cycling with the coast on our right - easier for views and photo stops! So while WOR has visited Corsica and Sardinia close to 10 times over the past 2 decades - the new itinerary offered what felt like a completely new Tour. And it was great to have a lot of repeat customers back for a new experience.

Our group of 21 met in Bastia. For the first time ever, the entire group had done a previous WOR tour! We even had Tim G back after 20 (!!) years! Lots of hugs as people reacquainted themselves with old friends - we enjoyed welcome apero in Bastia’s old town.

Bastia’s old walls with an incredible walking path suspended over the sea

Corsica’s north is a cycling and foodie paradise. The 90km around Cap Corse indeed a perfect start to the Tour -the coastline dotted with historic Torre (watch towers) and fishing villages and a perfect little bistro lunch mid way. A few wine afficionados (Mark, Geoffrey, Jane) made sure to stop in at Patrimonio, one of Corsica’s premier wine growing regions, for a well-deserved tasting. Evening swims (de-rigeur) and our first group meal in the glamorous port of Saint Florent beautiful as we enjoyed fresh seafood, crisp Vermentino and fiadone (local cheesecake) as the sun set across the mountains.

A complete contrast the following day as we cycled up and over the Desert des Agriates to the Balagne - hilltop villages dotted across the landscape with views to the Med. The evening meal in Feliceto memorable with our mischievous host, a colourful local character - we instantly felt the traditional and culture of Corsica’s interior - wild boar, charcuterie and a gun or two- just make sure you know how to catch a plate (next time… Jan!) and never, ever order rosé, David! Seulement du Vin Rouge!!!

Our route tracked south along the west coast - the group quickly learning that even Corsica’s coast is not at all flat and it’s very easy to accumulate 1500m of altitude across a day of coastal riding. One of my favourite meals of the tour was the Aubergine a la Bonifacienne - stuffed and roasted eggplant with a perfect tomato sauce, mopped up with bread - at an unassuming roadside restaurant near Galeria.

Roger and Jo enjoying Corsica’s sublime coastal riding - so many photo stops!

We celebrated a very special birthday for Emma in a gorgeous setting in Porto. The Birthday entertainment was top class thanks to David, Paul W and Frank and even the other tables were taking videos (what happens on tour stays on tour - no photos, sorry!). Emma you certainly won’t forget that one!

The red rocks of the Calanches de Piana are one of the most famous roads in Corsica - we soaked up the atmosphere at a gorgeous cafe situated amongst the rocks themselves - maybe the most expensive Orangina ever - but well worth it!

While some of us enjoyed a long lunch at a great coastal restaurant (soup de poisson a hit!), some of the group took the optional bonus climb to conquer the 1600m high Col de Vergio - a spectacular 30km climb through gorges and pine forests, sharing the road with goats and pigs. Chapeau!

Phil on his way to the Col de Vergio with the village of Evisa in the background

I was surprised that almost all the group were interested in visiting Filitosa, Corsica's most important prehistoric archaeological site, with remarkable granite menhirs carved with human faces and weapons that date back more than 3,000 years. We soaked up the history before we headed inland to Zonza, one of my favourite villages in the mountains of Corsica. I can’t not mention the Salade de Chèvre Chaud - perhaps the best ever, a more than worthy stop mid climb.

View from our hotel in Zonza, in Corsica’s mountainous interior. Who’s that in the spa?

Another highlight evening in Zonza - traditional mountain fare with Sanglier on the menu!

The morning ride of the Col de Bavella and through the Fôret d’Antoine, mountain lakes and sweeping fast descent to Porto Vecchio is as good as cycling gets. The climb a steady 6-7% with incredible views, the Corsican pine trees framing the jagged mountains of the Aiguilles de Bavella. We all agreed we could easily spend 2 nights in Zonza - maybe next time?!

Rest day in Bonifacio - the impregnable citadel perched on white cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean. We had time to explore the historic centre, enjoy an apero at the port, climb down the escaliers de Roy d’Argon carved in to the rocks… and a few went for a short ride! Good on Mal for doing a sea kayak trip - it sounded like a highlight and unique option for rest day! Our evening meal showcased some of the best cuisine of the region by a passionate local chef. Although I’m not sure everyone was so keen on the concept of veal tartare!

Frank, Mal and Sheena on the boat to Sardinia!

We departed Bonifacio by boat - the crossing to Sardinia spectacular as we sailed out of the harbour and said Au revoir France and Ciao Italia! The group made a unanimous decision to take a short cut (although Roofi and Jan perhaps accidentally followed the course!) along the more main road straight to Palau and the Costa Smeralda - a short little climb offering superb views of the Maddelena islands. And how we celebrated being in Italy with good coffee (and much cheaper Aperol spritz!).

A very tough and hot climb (huge thanks to Dave for the impromptu picnic lunch!) as we headed inland to the Gallura - Sardinia’s wild and rugged interior, steeped in tradition. Our overnight experience in one of Sardinia’s pioneering agriturismo wonderful - some of us sleeping in stone huts surrounded by farm animals. The evening meal at a long, rustic table - convivial atmosphere as we enjoyed the local specialty porcheddu (suckling pig) washed down with wines of the Gallura. The agriturismo family keen to show us around the farm and teach us about traditional Galluran life.

Our last two days took us to coastal Sardinia - a huge descent to Castelsardo (although Jack and Mal found another mountain to climb!) - the colourful houses of the medieval old town and castle perched dramatically above the sea. We enjoyed swimming at the small beach opposite the hotel - lots of fish! Pepe enjoyed a ‘night out’ with some of the boys while I had a ‘pizza and tv night’ at the hotel with Max and Leo. Everyone ate out at restaurants with views of the sea and old town - seafood featured including fregola, small round pasta, a Sardinian specialty as our exploration of Sardinian cuisine continued.

It was a fast final day to Alghero - took us past wind farms and a few gorgeous cove like beaches with electric blue water - but I couldn’t convince anyone for a final mid-ride swim! They had their sights set on Alghero and a celebratory Spritz on the bastioni (fortified walls of the old town).

We celebrated with a great meal at a seafood institution in Aghero’s old town and final night speeches. Phil and Jo’s parody (of me!) something I won’t forget and Jan’s beautiful story about a Man with a Van a winner.

An amazing 13 days - 875km and around 12,000m of altitude gain across two beautiful and contrasting mediterranean islands!

Thank you to the Crew - Jack on board for the first time (and welcome back as crew any time of course!), Mal our fabulous mechanic for always keeping our bikes in great condition, Roofi for being amazing van crew (and snapping up the van) despite a few personal luggage mishaps (!!) and Dave for his positive vibes, laughs and always being there to share a good feed with! Thanks to Pepe for wrangling the kids (although I think this one was a winner for Max and Leo with so many great beaches… and pizzas!).

So, who is coming on CORSICA AND SARDINIA 2027!!

If you are keen on joining this tour in 2027, please fill in an EOI form to let us know and so that you get priority booking!! It is just SUCH a great tour that there is no doubt it will be back on the WOR itinerary again!

Lastly, huge thanks to everyone who shared their photographs - there are some great photographers on this tour (you know who you are!!!). I hope you enjoy the gallery below.

CORSICA & SARDINIA 2026 - A Mediterranean dream RIDE

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CORSICA & SARDINIA 2026 - A Mediterranean dream RIDE

KYUSHU - the inaugural tour

ToursAboutShopNewsContactTERMS & CONDITIONSFAQ

Tours
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News
Contact
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