Cyclists keen on challenges and exploration, relish immersing yourselves straight into the wild side of Corsica on this most northerly stage of the GT20 cycle route. Keep your bathers to hand, as between Bastia and Cinturi it’s easy to stop for a dip. This first exciting stretch of the route, 54km in length, initially leads you via secretive creeks and picturesque villages before you then tackle the inland terrain of the wide Cap Corse Peninsula. Prepare to take on a 700m positive shift in elevation, although the first 35km provide a fairly easy warm-up. The real physical challenge comes in crossing Cap Corse from east to west.

Offering wonderful sea views, the GT20’s second stage southwards, linking Centuri to San Fiurenzu in 58km, first leads you along the unspoilt eastern side of the Cap Corse Peninsula. Leaving the coast, the way then guides you up to the D80 road, the landscapes still spectacular, crossing picturesque villages such as Pino, Minervio and Albo. Stop at Nonza to admire its black-pebble beach before descending to Patrimoniu, crossing its renowned vineyards. As to San Fiurenzu, it provides plenty of cultural and tourist delights.

Leave behind the beautiful beaches of San Fiurenzu to head west for Belgudè, crossing the Désert de l’Agriate. Despite the effort involved, the raw beauty of the typical maquis terrain of low scrubland vegetation, the grand views and the odd isolated beach, to be reached by foot or by trail, all make for an unforgettable stage. Crossing the Balagne mountains, explore the Artistans’ Route (A Strada di l’Artigiani). The winding way, involving numerous climbs and descents, affords spectacular glimpses down on the sea. This stage is, in short, perfect for cyclists in search of authentic Corsica.

Leading you along the Strada di l’Artigiani (the Artistans’ Route) between Belgudè and Calinzana, this undulating stage going via the perched villages of the Balagne area provides a whole festival of views. The stage doesn’t present any major physical difficulties, alternating between deceptively flat-seeming stretches and short climbs, with sublime views down on the Mediterranean and inland Corsica. The way follows the Route des Villages en Balcon, allowing cyclists to explore typical villages and more secretive sides to Corsica, enjoying unspoilt nature and the rural heritage. This is a gentle stage, easy to tackle, as well as a joy, plus there are a good many fountains along this stretch of the GT20 at which to pause for refreshment.

Ruddy rocks and rough maquis scrubland mark this fifth stage of the GT20 cycle route, linking Calinzana to Galéria in 31km. The main difficulty is the climb to the Col de Marsulino, but the view across Calvi Bay from the top of the pass is phenomenal. Then descend towards the riverbed of the Fango, to arrive, finally, in the peaceful port village of Galéria. For those keen on nature, the Scandola Reserve, a paradise for divers, and the port of Girolata, are only accessible on foot or by sea, but are well worth the detour.

Enjoy a gentle start on this sixth stage southwards on the GT20 cycle route, first presenting a flat stretch that provides splendid views up to La Paglia Orba, one of the highest mountains in the Massif du Cintu Range. In fact, between Galéria and Portu, you’ll be totally immersed in spectacular landscapes looking down on the coastal Scandola Reserve. The way climbs for 11km towards the Col de Palmarella, a pass. The route wends through rocks, with steep cliffs to the side. Explore the villages of Osani, Partinello and Serriera, as well as the spectacular coastal formations of the Calanche de Portu. The festival of natural colours is an utter treat.

Marking the half-way point on your Corsican cycling adventure, this seventh stage guides you from Portu to Bocca di Verghju and the highest road pass on the whole island. Cycling up from the coast, prepare for a practically unbroken 34km-long climb, through the Spelunca Gorges, the Evisa chestnut forests, past laricio (or Corsican) pines and beside Aïtone’s natural pools. This way provides an unforgettable trip through the unspoilt mountains of inland Corsica. An unrelenting climb it may be, but it plunges you deep into the heart of the rugged island. At the summit, a statue of Christ the King stands at the crossing where the north-south GR20 hiking path meets the east-west Mare à Mare Nord hiking trail.

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.

Beyond the Bocca di Verghju, Corsica’s highest road pass, this ninth stage of the GT20 proves one of the most challenging, involving almost 1,400m of positive shift in altitude. After negotiating the way to Venacu, you tackle the long and winding way up to the Col de Croce pass. The stage offers cyclists a series of varied landscapes to relish and crosses such picturesque villages as Noceta, Ruspigliani and Vezzani. The Barrage de Sampolu, a dam, marks the entrance to the Défilé de l’Inzecca, a gorge famed for its sheer, steep rocky sides rising above the impetuous Fium’Orbu River. Then comes a tunnel, guiding you to Sampolo Lake, before you take on the final climb to Ghisoni.

Taking you through the heart of the mountains of the Parc Naturel Régional de Corse, this tenth stage of the GT20 cycle route links Ghisoni to Zicavu in some 40 kilometres. First, you climb through Marmanu Forest, the way leading to the Col de Verde, a pass at 1,289m in altitude. After relishing a refreshing descent to Cuzzà (Cozzano), the way then runs along gently to Zicavu, a character-filled village nestling in the Taravo Valley, renowned for its charcuterie. No surprise, then, that you might encounter the odd pig wandering about along the cycle route!

Staying within the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional de Corse, this eleventh stage of the GT20 presents cyclists with spectacular views on the Taravo and Alta Rocca Valleys. Going from Zicavu to Zonza along the foot of the jagged Aiguilles de Bavella mountains, on this cycling adventure lasting 44km, you’ll stack up a positive shift in altitude of 800m. A detour via the Plateau du Cuscione offers riders the chance to set aside time for a hike in the reserve here, dedicated to biodiversity. With the climb to the Bocca di Vaccia, views open out onto the whole of the southern end of Corsica.

The most southerly stage of the GT20 cycle route, linking Zonza to Bunifaziu, takes cyclists on a 71km-long journey, through the splendid mountainous terrain of Corsica’s southern end. After descending to Livia (or Levie), known for its archaeological museum, the way climbs to the Col de Bacinu, after which views open up of the Gulf of Portivechju. The route crosses the villages of Sotta and Chera, alternating between short, steep climbs and easy descents. The endpoint of this stage, and this whole great cycle route through Corsica, is the town of Bunifaziu, with splendid views over the Bouches de Bonifacio, a major coastal nature reserve marked by sea caves.