Discover Ota at Camping Funtana Al Oro

Halfway through the GT20, it's time for one of the island's legendary climbs. From **Portu (Porto)** to **Col de Verghju (Vergio)**, Corsica's highest road pass, this 7ᵉ stage unfurls 34km of continuous climbing for 1,486 metres of positive vertical drop. A veritable vertical journey, from the sea to the wide open spaces of the mountains. From the very first kilometres, the sea fades into the rear-view mirror. The road climbs up the cliff face, offering the prospect of the next twist in the road at every bend, before plunging into the spectacular Spelunca Gorge. The scenery changes dramatically: sheer cliffs, rocky chaos and a river below make for a striking start. After an initial 10km ascent, a short flat area allows you to catch your breath before the climb to **Evisa**, a village clinging to the mountain. The crossing, sometimes at 8%, is a reminder that you are gradually gaining in altitude. The route then enters the majestic Aïtone forest, home to slender laricio pines and crystal-clear natural pools. The shade is welcome and the atmosphere cooler, almost alpine. The last ten kilometres are steeper, at around 6%, until you reach the Niolu region via the summit of the Col de Vergio. At an altitude of 1,477 metres, the panorama opens up onto a mineral and pastoral world, emblematic of the Corsican interior. An immersive, progressive stage, where every pedal stroke brings you closer to the beating heart of the island's mountains.

The gulfs and remarkable pink granite rocks have been protected as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Higher up: lariciu pine forests, waterfalls and natural pools with crystal-clear waters. Then chestnut trees, terraced hillsides, orchards and cultivated gardens. As you drive along, the mild climate brings out the scents of immortelle, myrtle, thyme, cistus and juniper! This paradise has a taste of happiness.... But also of ashes, as evidenced by the countless Genoese towers and forts that protected the population from pirate invasions and the villages where the spirit of the lords of yesteryear still lives on. Some will be proud to talk about their history and their land! Because here, craftsmen, cheese producers, honey producers, wine producers, olive oil producers, essential oils producers, delicatessen producers, chestnut flour producers and chestnut-based confectioners... will show you what a passion for the land is all about. A passion for the land. Things to see and do: The Scandola nature reserve, the gulfs of Porto and Girolata, the Girolata fort, the calanques of Piana, the Genoese bridge at Ota, the Bruyère museum (Porto), the Aïtone forest, Lake Crenu, waterfalls and natural pools, Monte Rotondu, the convent of Saint-François (Vico), the churches (in particular the 2 churches of Cargese, one of Latin rite, the other Byzantine), the Castellu (castle) of Cinarca (medieval site), the baths of Guagno with their famous sulphurous waters, the tower of Ancone, the punta di a Spusata, the gorges of the Spilonca... Not to be missed : - Farmers' markets. - Inter-brotherhood meetings, on 31 July in Piana. - The A Tumbera rural fair, in December in Renno. - The Mele in Festa (Honey Festival) at the end of September in Murzo.

Discover this 50.8km cycle route, which starts in Albertacce and finishes in Corte. The route is entirely on roads. It has a total ascent of more than 340m.

Set course for one of the most demanding and contrasting stages of the GT20. Between Corti (Corte) and Ghisoni, this 57km route has a total climb of almost 1,400 metres. An intense crossing of the mountainous heart of the island, between suspended villages and spectacular gorges. From Corti, the ancient historic capital dominated by its citadel, the route heads towards Venacu (Venaco) before branching off eastwards. The road soon becomes more winding and climbs up the twists and turns leading to Bocca a Croce. The ascent of the Col de Croce - 12 km and around 500 metres of ascent - puts the legs to the test. The effort is sustained, but rewarded by sweeping panoramic views over the hills of central Corsica. The villages of Noceta, Ruspigliani and Vezzani punctuate the route with their typical silhouettes, clinging to the mountainside. At the summit, there's a long, smooth and exhilarating descent of almost 17km. After crossing the Col de Cardo, the road joins the D69 towards Ghisoni. The scenery changes again, as you pass the Sampolu dam, the gateway to an impressive natural site. You arrive via the spectacular Défilé de l'Inzecca, famous for its sheer rock faces and narrow road with tight bends. The atmosphere here is mineral, almost wild, before reaching Ghisoni, a mountain village nestling in the heart of an unspoilt environment. A complete and challenging stage, alternating between demanding passes, fast descents and landscapes of great diversity - the very essence of inland Corsica.

Between sea and cliffs, stage 6 of the GT20 promises one of the most spectacular experiences of the route. From Galeria to Portu (Porto), this 51km route, with its 722 metres of positive gradient, winds its way along the grandiose landscapes overlooking the mythical Scandola Nature Reserve. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the reserve unfurls a unique mineral landscape, with red rocks plunging into turquoise waters. To reach the route, you first need to retrace the last few kilometres of the day before to get back onto the D81. The first few kilometres are easy, giving you a chance to warm up before tackling the climb to the Col de Palmarella: 11.3 km of effort and 379 metres of ascent, with gradients varying between 3% and 8%. A gradual ascent, carved out of the rock, gradually revealing breathtaking views of the sea and the sheer cliffs of the west coast. At the top, the view over the reserve is simply unforgettable. Then it's on to western Corsica, along a winding road carved out of the rock, towards A Bocca Croce (the Col de la Croix). The descent opens up a view of the villages of Osani, Partinello and Serriera, before revealing one of the jewels of the Mediterranean: the spectacular Calanques de Piana, red granite formations listed by UNESCO. You arrive in Portu facing its majestic gulf, also a World Heritage site, where sea and mountains meet in perfect harmony. An intense and panoramic stage, a true concentrate of the wild soul of Corsica.

Head west for a spectacular leg of the GT20! Between Calinzana and Galeria, this 5ᵉ stage unfurls 31km of escapism in the heart of a wild and luminous Corsica. With 420 metres of positive gradient, the route invites you to gradually immerse yourself in a contrasting scenery where fragrant scrub mingles with the astonishing red rocks of the west coast. The climb to the Col de Marsolino is the sporting highlight of the day. Its steady slopes - around 7% - offer an accessible and rewarding challenge. At the summit, the panorama opens out generously onto the surrounding landscape: a moment suspended between sea and mountain, the signature of the island's great itineraries. The long, flowing descent crosses the Fango valley in a luminous, mineral atmosphere, with two iconic peaks in the background: the majestic Paglia Orba and the impressive Capu Tafunatu. Gradually, the air becomes thicker with sea spray: the Mediterranean is getting closer. The arrival at Galeria, with its feet in the water, marks the ideal culmination of this stage. A seaside resort on a human scale, the village is also the gateway to the unmissable Scandola Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Lovers of scuba diving and sea outings will discover exceptional seabeds, some of the best preserved in the Mediterranean. It's a short but intense stage, a combination of sporting challenges and the promise of escape, where the mountains gently slope towards the sea.

From the village of Cassano, visit Lunghignano, the Bocca di Muru, the Acciola plateau, the Bocca di Foata and the village of Zilia. The panoramic views between the Calvi and Reginu plains will take your breath away.

This loop takes you from Feliceto to the neighboring village of Muro, overlooking the Reginu valley, a Natura 2000 site, before descending into it.

An out-and-back hike that takes you to Bocca San Pancraziu at 969 m via a well-marked trail offering a lovely view of the Gulf of Saint-Florent and beautiful vistas of Urtaca and the surrounding mountains.

A splendid balcony hike between sea and mountains that can be started from any of the villages you pass through.