GT20 Corsica Traverse

Grande Traversée 20

GT20 Corsica Traverse

A collection of 14 cycling routes.

Overview

About this collection

The GT20 is Corsica’s classic north–south ride, linking Bastia to Bonifacio across the island’s mountains and coast. Think more than 600 km and plenty of climbing, with granite peaks, chestnut forests, wild maquis, and sea views around every bend. You’ll roll through stone villages and the historic heart in Corte, then finish by the dramatic white cliffs of Bonifacio.

Roads are mostly smooth asphalt, with the occasional rough patch. Expect a mix of quiet backroads and some busier connectors near towns. Big passes like Vizzavona and Bavella are highlights—steady grades, rewarding descents, and sweeping panoramas.

Best seasons: spring and autumn for cooler temps and lighter traffic. Summer can be hot and windy, so start early, refill often, and plan shade breaks. Ferries and flights make Bastia an easy launch point; the south is well served too.

Ideal for credit‑card touring or light panniers. It’s a leg-stretcher, but the scenery pays you back every day.

14
Routes
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Duration
515.3 km
Distance
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Avg. speed
24,507 m
Ascent
24,427 m
Descent

GT20 Corsica Traverse

Routes in this collection

All 14 routes in this collection can be opened on the map or in the Bikemap App for more details, where you can adjust them in the route planner, or download them as GPX or KML file. Use them as a template for planning your own rides, or let Bikemap navigate you along them directly.

GT20 / Étape 12 : Bonifacio – Porto-Vecchio
Official

GT20 / Étape 12 : Bonifacio – Porto-Vecchio

Cycling route in Bonifacio, Corsica, France

From the dramatic cliffs and citadel of Bonifacio, roll north toward Porto-Vecchio and its famed beaches. It’s a short GT20 link, about 29 km with a steady 600 m of climbing and a few quick descents. Expect mostly main roads—ride early or stay visible. Coastal views pop in and out, with cafés to re…
29.2 km
Distance
636 m
Ascent
533 m
Descent
GT20: Porto-Vecchio – Zonza
Official

GT20: Porto-Vecchio – Zonza

Cycling route in Porto-Vecchio, Corsica, France

From the beaches and citadel of Porto-Vecchio, climb straight into the Alta Rocca. It’s a stout, sustained ascent via L’Ospedale, with big views back to the coast and shady pine forest. Expect about 42 km with a lot of vertical—bring water and low gears. Traffic can be busy near town, but it eases …
41.9 km
Distance
2,075 m
Ascent
1,414 m
Descent
GT20 / Étape 11 : Zonza - Grosseto-Prugna
Official

GT20 / Étape 11 : Zonza - Grosseto-Prugna

Cycling route in Zonza, Corsica, France

From the mountain village of Zonza, roll past granite peaks and pine forests, then tackle a serious day: about 45 km with nearly 1,900 m up and just as much down. Big, steady climbs and a long, fast descent toward the Gulf of Ajaccio. You finish in Grosseto-Prugna (Porticcio), a seaside spot made f…
44.6 km
Distance
1,867 m
Ascent
1,958 m
Descent
GT20 Étape 10: Grosseto-Prugna – Casevecchie
Official

GT20 Étape 10: Grosseto-Prugna – Casevecchie

Cycling route in Grosseto-Prugna, Corsica, France

Leave seaside Grosseto-Prugna by the Gulf of Ajaccio and climb into Corsica’s interior toward Casevecchie. It’s a punchy ride: about 45 km with roughly 2,600 m up and the same down, mixing long ramps, tight bends, and big views. Mostly on road and can feel busy in spots, so stay alert. You’ll roll …
45.5 km
Distance
2,621 m
Ascent
2,633 m
Descent
GT20 / Étape 8 : Verghju - Corti
Official

GT20 / Étape 8 : Verghju - Corti

Big mountain day across inland Corsica: from Verghju (Col de Vergio) down through the Scala di Santa Regina gorge, then punchy climbs and rollers to Corte, the island’s historic heart. Roughly 49 km with 2,400 m up, mostly on asphalt and often busy—ride early and bring lights. Expect granite peaks,…
49.3 km
Distance
2,417 m
Ascent
1,450 m
Descent
GT20 / Étape 7 : Portu - Verghju
Official

GT20 / Étape 7 : Portu - Verghju

From the Gulf of Portu, climb inland through Ota and Evisa, past the Spelunca gorges and Aïtone pines, up to Col de Verghju—Corsica’s highest road pass. It’s about 35 km of mostly paved mountain road with a big 1,500 m gain, steady gradients, and wide views. Expect some traffic on the main road; st…
34.5 km
Distance
1,508 m
Ascent
2,886 m
Descent
GT20 / Étape 6 : Calvi - Cargèse
Official

GT20 / Étape 6 : Calvi - Cargèse

Cycling route in Calvi, Corsica, France

Leave beachy Calvi and its citadel behind and trace the wild west coast to Cargèse. It’s almost all smooth asphalt, but it’s a roller—plenty of punchy climbs and descents, with traffic on the main coastal road. Expect big sea views, wind, and dramatic cliffs along the way. Grab water in seaside ham…
50.3 km
Distance
3,148 m
Ascent
3,149 m
Descent
GT20 Étape 5: Calenzana - Galeria
Official

GT20 Étape 5: Calenzana - Galeria

Cycling route in Calenzana, Corsica, France

Leave Calenzana, gateway to the GR20, and spin west through maquis-covered hills. A steady climb out of town gives way to sweeping views and a smooth, mostly asphalt run toward the coast. Finish in Galeria, a laid-back village by the Fango delta—perfect for a dip or gelato. Short and punchy, with j…
7.1 km
Distance
263 m
Ascent
121 m
Descent
GT20 Étape 4: Monticello – Calenzana
Official

GT20 Étape 4: Monticello – Calenzana

Cycling route in Monticello, Corsica, France

Roll out from the hilltop village of Monticello and sweep through the Balagne ridges toward Calenzana, gateway to the GR20. It’s short but punchy: about 32 km with roughly 1,180 m of climbing and plenty of descents. Coastal views and maquis scents make the effort worth it. The route is fully paved …
32.1 km
Distance
1,179 m
Ascent
1,099 m
Descent
GT20 / Étape 4 : Belgude - Calinzana
Official

GT20 / Étape 4 : Belgude - Calinzana

Cycling route in Monticello, Corsica, France

Rolling GT20 taster from Monticello to Monticello. Kick off in this hilltop Balagne village above L’Île-Rousse and climb into wide sea views, then snake back down through the maquis. It’s short but punchy: about 11 km with ~480 m of ascent and ~540 m down, topping out near 390 m. Roads are mostly b…
11.3 km
Distance
477 m
Ascent
537 m
Descent
GT20 / Étape 3 : Monticello - Saint-Florent
Official

GT20 / Étape 3 : Monticello - Saint-Florent

Cycling route in Monticello, Corsica, France

From the hilltop lanes of Monticello, roll across Balagne's ridges before dropping to the gulf of Saint-Florent. It’s a punchy 61 km with serious elevation (over 2,000 m of climbing), rewarded by big sea views, maquis scents, and stops in stone villages. Expect mostly asphalt and some busy road str…
61.4 km
Distance
2,415 m
Ascent
2,705 m
Descent
GT20 / Étape 2 : Centuri - San Fiurenzu
Official

GT20 / Étape 2 : Centuri - San Fiurenzu

About 54 km of coastal rollers from the fishing village of Centuri down Cap Corse to San Fiurenzu (Saint-Florent). Expect constant ups and downs on the D80, sea views, Genoese towers, and often a stiff breeze. Some busy stretches; ride early if you can. Finish by cruising past the Patrimonio vineya…
54 km
Distance
3,598 m
Ascent
3,630 m
Descent