Spring break in Ghisonaccia (Corsica) from 24 to 30 April 2016
It's not often that the members of the Club des Cent Cols meet on the "plains", outside their beloved mountains where the common pass, the small pass, the hard pass or the mythical pass are plentiful, and on the "Eastern Plain", which is more reminiscent of the arid deserts of the southern or eastern regions, or even the cold steppes of the great northern spaces. Yes, we're meeting on the Eastern Plain, but on Corsica, which isn't arid and isn't a cold land at all!
Presentation
Accommodation will be provided at the holiday village and campsite of l'Arinella Bianca in the commune of Ghisonaccia (Haute-Corse). This commune is located on the maritime edge of the vast eastern plain in the east of Corsica and in the southern part. A few kilometres further west, however, are the first stepped steps of the vast natural amphitheatre formed by the first foothills of the Corsican mountains. Aléria, the well-known ancient city, lies fifteen kilometres further north.
Ghisonaccia is at the centre of a vast area of agricultural, wine, shellfish and oyster production. It is also a major tourist centre, with the village of Arinella Bianca being one of its jewels.
The best way to reach the island is via the port of Bastia, located 90 kilometres further north and linked to Ghisonaccia by beautiful, wide, straight roads. Ports of embarkation are Marseille for Méridionale, Toulon or Nice for Corsica Ferries. There are also Genoa and Savona for some Italian companies. Bear in mind, however, that the earlier you book your ticket, the cheaper it can be.
A new company to replace SNCM is due to be launched in the winter of 2015-2016. Stay tuned!
Tours
At the end of winter 2015/2016, our legs will not yet have reached their full potential. Visit route will therefore be related to this transitional state. The distance to be covered from road routes will be between 50 and 150 km, with a difference in altitude of between 850 m and 2260 m. The mule tracks will range from 18 to 67 km, with a difference in altitude of between 800 and 1,700 m. The maps and routes will allow you to plan your route as you wish.
The seven road and eight mule routes will enable you to discover the eastern side of Corsica. The Castagniccia closes off the plain to the north. Its many villages, with stone houses and slate roofs huddled close together, emerge from the dark, vast chestnut groves. Further south lie the valleys, all of which face east and irrigate the eastern plain, where the villages are also located on the ridges, forming vantage points overlooking the eastern plain, the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Tuscan archipelago and even Tuscany in the distance, topped by the snow-capped peaks of the Apennines. Closing in on the south are the Bavella and Paliri massifs, granite bastions carved by the millennia. And finally, in the extreme south of Corsica, the coastal relief alternates between gulfs fringed with beaches and rocky points. Bonifacio, built astride its fjord and white cliffs, is also worth a visit.
All the tours will require a prior approach by car, averaging 25km on straight roads. Often, but not always, the departures of the road and mule routes will be in the same geographical area.
All in all, our carbon footprint is still very much in our favour!
Collars
Naming them all here would be tedious, but a few deserve special mention.
- The Col de Bavella: recognised as one of the most beautiful passes in France.
- The Col de Verde: the third-highest road pass in southern Corsica, with 30 km of roads lined with Laricio pine forests.
- The Col de Sorba: the highest road pass in Haute-Corse, on the same route as the previous one. The most alpine too!
- The Col d'Illarata: in the magnificent Ospedale forest. Pine forest but also forests of granite monoliths. The long descent faces the coastal gulfs of the "City of Salt", Porto-Vecchio.
- Dare I mention the R4 circuit, "Le Grand Sud", which links 12 passes, 7 of which are less than 100 m above sea level, 3 less than 200 m and 2 below 300 m! Disgraceful for pass climbers?
- Other local glories: Bocca di a Guardia, 19 m before the road was levelled. Col Saint-Roch, the most southerly pass in France.
The mule passes are more discreet and less well known. Most can be found at the end of a track winding through vast forests of laricio pines, straight and powerful in the shelter of valleys, which are tormented on the approach to certain windy passes. A few other passages require a little skill or patience to reach at the end of a path.
Many of us have already travelled the roads and paths of Corsica. But there's no doubt that it still hides a few gems, away from the main classic hiking routes. Seventy-four passes can be found on the road routes and seventy-four on the mule routes.
Hosting
The holiday village, l'Arinella BiancaArinella bianca is located four and a half kilometres east of the town of Ghisonaccia. Arinella bianca translates as white beach. And it's exactly a white beach that's just a stone's throw from the centre's dining room.
Accommodation will be in mobile homes: 32 m2Two bedrooms, one with a double bed and the other with two single beds. Occupancy by two people only. Bed linen and towels provided. Small fully-equipped kitchen and lovely terrace. End-of-stay cleaning included.
For campers: negotiated "ACSI" rates for all. 19 € + 0.65 € (tax)/person/day. Reservations to be made individually.
It is possible to bring forward your arrival or extend your stay at a cost of €49 per accommodation for two people per day. Bookings must be made directly with the holiday centre.
The tour will start on Sunday morning 24/04/2016 when participants arrive. Bags will be dropped off and departure for tours R1 or V1 will be at 11am. The keys to the accommodation will be handed over on the return journey.
Saturday evening 30/04 will mark the end of the holiday, after the day's hike. Everyone will be given a packed lunch for the evening.
L'Arinella Bianca, Route de la mer, 20240 GHISONACCIA
Contact: MARTINA - tel: +33 (0)4 95 56 04 78 - e-mail: arinella@arinellabianca.com
Lat. 42.0168 Long. 9.4040 (see map below)
Useful tips
Weather: spring is a rainy season in Corsica, but it can also be hot. Make sure you bring suitable equipment.
Roads: are not reserved for cyclists and are used all year round by locals for their travel and work. Let's try to respect them! The same goes for parking areas!
The locals in particular: they'll be delighted if you take an interest in them, saying hello if you see them, talk to them or ask them about their country.
There are no bike shops in Ghisonaccia, but in Porto-Vecchio, 56 km away.
Tourism
Information websites:
Things to see and do in the area
- The Aléria Museum, housed in the Matra fort, tells the story of ten centuries of Corsican history, from the 10th century BC to the 5th century AD. J-C to the 5th century AD.
- The ancient site of Aléria, vestiges of Roman occupation.
- The Mnemosina museum in Prunelli di Fium'Orbu, evoking the history of Fium'Orbu through the ages.
- The villages on the eastern slopes, perched on ridges overlooking the river valleys and the eastern plain, and their built heritage.
- The products of local craftsmen and farmers. Visit their workshops, laboratories or farms.
- Walk along the footpaths around the villages or along the coastal ponds, evocative of the natural environment.
The Ghisonaccia tourist office will be offering a daily programme of visits and walks in the surrounding area. A cultural guide will also be on hand to help you visit the characteristic sites of the micro-region.
Bernard Giraudeau CC 3872
Registration
To register, download the PDF registration form and follow the instructions therein.
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