Explore Vico with Camping La Sposata Antonini Louis

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.

Discover this 3.5 km hiking trail near Grosseto-Prugna. Allow around 50 minutes to complete the route. The Genoese Tower of Capitello stands on the coast at the northern entrance to Porticcio at the mouth of the Gravona. It was one of the first defensive works erected by the Office of St George in the 16th century. In 1793, it played host to a prestigious guest: Napoleon, still Bonaparte, was besieged by the Paolists before fleeing to Toulon with his mother Letizia.

Semi-shaded, this is a very pleasant walk, ideal for the whole family. Itinerary: At the Isolella roundabout, head down towards the peninsula. The road is well signposted and makes a one-way loop. To reach the tower, the path is quite steep at the start, but is still easy, with a gradient of 35m. There is another path around the hill, with a fitness trail featuring 10 workshops for all ages. History: The Tour de l'Isolella was built in 1608 and has a longer silhouette than its sister towers on the Gulf of Ajaccio. Renovated in 1970, it is in perfect condition, with its machicolations and, halfway up, a red brick stringcourse.

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.

Semi-shaded at the start, then sunny all the way to the summit at 1345 m altitude, for experienced walkers and hikers. hiking. Itinerary: Head towards Sainte-Marie-Sicché and continue towards Quasquara as far as "Sarra Topu", at the top of the village. You can park at the signs for the Communauté des Communes. Then follow the orange markings. Description: Right from the start, you start to feel the change in altitude, which continues for a good hour's walk! After a few minutes, you cross two small streams, before emerging from the undergrowth and climbing up to a complete change of scenery: a marvellous panorama of the peaks opposite and the valley. At a crossroads with an arrow and orange markings, turn left slightly downhill. The junction for the loop to the summit of Punta Urghjavari is barely visible, indicated by a cairn. From here, it's about twenty minutes uphill, unmarked, to the summit with its statue of the Virgin Mary, its two crosses... and a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Ajaccio, the bay of Coti Chiavari and the surrounding villages (Campo, Frassetto, Quasquara...). The descent (which is rather sporty!) follows the same route.

The Coti penitentiary is a picturesque site with an undeniably harsh past. The penitentiary was founded in 1855, and its ruins are located halfway between Verghia and Coti Chiavari on a plateau with a breathtaking view over the Gulf of Ajaccio. In 1870, the prisoners built a small dam holding back 24,000 m3 of water. Up to 800 prisoners were held here, and there was also a women's penitentiary, of which only a few ruins remain today. You'll walk along a number of shady paths with superb avenues of hundred-year-old eucalyptus trees, planted by the prison administration as part of the reclamation of the state-owned estate. There are also well-tended cork oaks. The various buildings of the former penitentiary, commissioned by Napoleon, serve as landmarks, with the main path leading from the "men's penitentiary" (a vast renovated building) to the "women's penitentiary", also known as Laticapso (reference IGN ruin). As you stroll along, you'll come across a vast cistern, small cemeteries and beautiful large rubble stone walls embedded in the undergrowth, poor remnants of the prisoners' forced labour.

Between wooded peaks and secret valleys, stage 10 of the GT20 offers a deep immersion into the island's mountain soul. From **Ghisoni** to **Zicavu**, over a distance of around 45km, the route covers almost 1,000 metres of ascent and links two villages of character in the heart of authentic, unspoilt Corsica. The route starts at an altitude of 650 metres. The road soon climbs towards the Col de Verde, perched at 1,289 metres. The first ten kilometres allow you to find your rhythm under the canopy of the majestic Forêt de Marmanu, a vast state forest where beech and laricio pines provide a welcome coolness. The last seven kilometres of the ascent are steeper, averaging around 6%, before reaching the pass. Stop off at the San Petru di Verde relay station to enjoy the panoramic views and recharge your batteries in an exceptional natural setting. The 17km descent then winds its way down to **Cuzzà (Cozzano)**, offering a refreshing break. The route follows the Taravo valley, shaded by trees in a peaceful, bucolic atmosphere. The last few kilometres lead to **Zicavu**, a village nestling in the heart of the valley, renowned for its craftsmanship and traditional charcuterie. Here, time seems to stand still. It's an ideal opportunity to meet local producers and discover the authentic flavours of the island, particularly through the artisans on the Route des Sens. A well-balanced and immersive stage, between deep forests, panoramic passes and gastronomic heritage, a true ode to the Corsican mountains.