Vergio / Corte

First, you cycle down through the Valdu Niellu Forest, the largest in Corsica, as the starter on this over 50km-long eighth stage of the GT20, leading you to the island’s historic capital, Corti. Having provided you with views of Corsica’s most iconic summits, notably Paglia Orba and Monte Cinto, the way then guides you beside Calacuccia Lake before making you tackle the spectacular Scala di Santa Regina Gorge. A last 7km-long climb is followed by a 5km descent to Corti, the hill town topped by its imposing citadel.

The Route

This stage of just over 50km in total includes 33km of descents. So, you only have to tackle 354m of positive elevation, while enjoying 1,388m of cumulative elevation loss, leading you down to Corti. Now a university town and boasting the Musée de la Corse, it was the home of Pasquale Paoli, Corsica’s great 18th-century early democratic nationalist leader. At the start of the stage, you cycle through forest, but this quickly gives way to rocky landscapes. Once past the village of Calacuccia, you tackle the famed Scala di Santa Regina Gorge. Note that, although the way through it is relatively flat, it is narrow. Reaching Castirla Bridge, fork right for Corti. To reach this Cité Paolina, you need to climb for 7km, up to a lowish pass, before then descending 5km to the stopover town.

Don't miss

• Vergio (Verghju): at the crossroads of two iconic Corsican hiking trails, the north-south GR20 and the east-west Mare à Mare Nord
• Corte (or Corti): Musée de la Corse; the Citadel; the Barrage de Calacuccia, a dam