1043 views | Public | French
Leave Calvi on the busy N197 heading north. At the second roundabout you will pass Camp Raffalli on your right. This is home to 2e REP - the French Foriegn Legion parachute regiment. You may have seen legionnaires in Calvi wearing their distinct white hats - képis blanc -or maybe you will see them parachuting from high above as part of their basic training. Heading inland after Lumio to Cateri and then the ascent to the Col de Salvi. Fantastic views after the Col over the Golfe de Calvi. Descend to the village of Montemaggiore and the new vista opening up in front of you is the Cirque de Bonifatu with the Monte Grosso massif rising to more than 2000m. This is GR20 country, one of Europe's and most famous long distance walks.
The route follows the Bonifatu bowl through the village of Zilia and onto Calenzana. An optional excursion from here is 3.5km up to the auberge A Flatta. This is signposted and the route is up and out the back of town. The road is not surfaced the entire way but it's worth the effort to see some of Jacques Anquetil's memorabilia. A Flatta is run by Sophie, the daughter of one of France's most famous ever cyclists.
Difficulty level: Medium (57/100)
Length: 57.9 km
Duration: 02h18
Total ascent: 694 m
Maximal slope: 6.7 %
Average slope: 1.9 %
Net ascent: 3 m
Total descent: 691 m
Paved roads: 57.8 km (100 %)
Cobblestones: 0 m (0 %)
Bike paths: 0 m (0 %)
Car free roads: 0 m (0 %)
Noise pollution
Amount of traffic
Natural area
Urban area
Water rich area
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