GT20 / ETAPE 6 : GALERIA - PORTU

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.