Page 253 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

DRIVE 24: Ancient Ports and Deserted Beaches 251
Centuri
M te Corvo
1,084 m Macinaggio
M te Stello
1,307 m
Nonza C a p C o r s e
Olmeta ERBALUNGA
Olmeta- Lavasina
di-Capocorso
1,102 m
Santa-Maria-
di-Lota
San Martino-di-Lota
Cima di Gratera Pietranera
1,025 m
Plage
du Lodo Ville-di-Pietrabugno
Golfe de Fiume Albino
Cardo
Saint-Florent PLAN YOUR DRIVE
Patrimonio BASTIA
Monserato
Barbaggio Start/finish: Erbalunga to Calvi.
Lupino
Vaghio SAINT-FLORENT Col de Number of days: 2–3, allowing
Strutta
Teghime
between half a day and a day to
S. Pancrace Poggio Furiani explore the Désert des Agriates
and the Plage de Saleccia.
Alisu Poggio-d'Oletta
Biguglia Distance: 135 km (85 miles).
Oletta
955 m Casatorra
Road conditions: Generally good;
some steep, narrow roads with tight
Olmeta-di-Tuda E t a n g d e B i g u gl i a
Ste-Pietro- Bevincu turns, particularly along the Strada di
di-Tenda l’Artigiani and in the Désert des Agriates
Vallecalle
Ortale
San-Gavino- 835 m (where there is no guard rail, lights or
di-Tenda
Rapale cat’s eyes). Traffic is heavier in August.
Rutali
Sorio Piève Murato Bastia-
Poretta When to go: May and June, before
Cima di Tattoni Borgo the peak summer season, or in
1,117 m

September, when prices drop.
1,426 m Vignale Lucciana
Cima di Tanoria Opening hours: The opening hours
1,224 m Scolca
M te Reghia di Pozzo Golo of churches and monuments vary,
1,469 m Campitello
but the main museums stay open all
M te Tassu Lento
1,372 m day. It is always best to check at the
Barchetta
Prunelli-di-Casacconi
tourist office before visiting. Between
Quercitellu Golo
1,245 m Olmo November and Easter, most of the
M te Tevisi Campile island shuts down entirely.
1,146 m Costa
Roda
Bisinchi Main market days: Bastia: Tue–Sun;
Above Boats anchored at the harbour in the port town of Erbalunga, Calvi: Tue–Sun.
see p252 Below Sleepy and ancient town of Algajola, see p254
Shopping: Visit the towns along the
Strada di l’Artigiani, each specializing
in a variety of traditional crafts and
local produce, from musical instruments
and pottery to olive oil and honey.
Major festivals: Erbalunga:
Procession de la Cerca, Good Friday;
Bastia: Les Musicales de Bastia,
late Jul; Saint-Florent: Porto Latino,
Aug; Calvi: Jazz Festival, Jun.
DAYTRIP OPTIONS
Keen drivers can loop Cap Corse
along the winding, coastal D80, while
souvenir seekers should shop their
way up to Calenzana on the Strada
di l’Artigiani. For details, see p255.