Corsica’s mountain heart: Ajaccio to Porto
From the Sanguinaires islands over the Vizzavona pass to Corte, up the Restonica gorge, through the Niolo and over the Col de Vergio to Porto.
- Distance
- 158 km (98 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 11 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- France
- Updated
- August 3, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 158 km (98 mi) with 9 stops, from Ajaccio to Porto. About 2 h 11 min of driving in total.
More road trips in France
Route description
Ferries from Marseille, Toulon and Nice reach Ajaccio, Napoleon’s birthplace. Before heading inland, drive 12 km west on the D111 to the Pointe de la Parata, facing the red Îles Sanguinaires; the walk round the point takes 45 minutes and is best at sunset. Then take the T20, the main road across the island, towards Corte.
The T20 climbs through Bocognano to the Col de Vizzavona at 1,163 m. Just below the pass, an easy path through the pine forest leads to the Cascades des Anglais, a string of small falls and pools on the GR20. Descend through Vivario to Corte, 80 km from Ajaccio, the old capital of independent Corsica, with a citadel on a rock and a university town atmosphere.
From Corte the narrow D623 climbs up the Restonica gorge towards the Lac de Melo. Since storms in November 2023 the upper road to the Grotelle sheepfolds has been cut, so walks start lower down the valley and take longer; traffic is regulated, and from May to September a shuttle runs from Corte. Check with the Corte tourist office before going. Then take the T20 north to Francardo and turn west on the D84.
The D84 enters the Scala di Santa Regina, a pink granite gorge, and continues through the Niolo basin around Calacuccia. It then climbs to the Col de Vergio, at 1,477 m the highest road pass in Corsica, and descends through the Aïtone forest to Evisa. Walk down into the Gorges de Spelunca from Evisa or Ota before the final bends into Porto.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Ajaccio
France - 213 km
Pointe de la Parata and Îles Sanguinaires
ViewsAjaccio, FranceA headland with a Genoese tower facing a line of red granite islets, 12 km from Ajaccio on the D111. The path round the point takes 45 minutes; come at sunset and use the paid car park.
- 359 km
Cascades des Anglais
NatureVizzavona, FranceA series of small falls and clear pools on the Agnone, reached by an easy path through the Vizzavona pine forest. It is part of the GR20; the car park is off the T20 below the pass.
- 426 km
Corte
France - 58 km
Restonica valley
NatureCorte, FranceA granite gorge above Corte, leading towards the Lac de Melo. Storms in November 2023 cut the upper road to the Grotelle sheepfolds, so walks now start lower down, and traffic on the narrow D623 is regulated. In summer a shuttle runs from Corte; large motorhomes should not attempt the road.
- 612 km
Scala di Santa Regina
NatureCalacuccia, FranceA gorge of pink granite cut by the Golo, followed by the D84 between the central valley and the Niolo. Drive slowly, the road is narrow with rockfall; old mule track steps survive in places.
- 719 km
Col de Vergio
ViewsAlbertacce, FranceAt 1,477 m the highest road pass in Corsica, between the Niolo and the Aïtone forest, marked by a large statue of Christ. Cows and pigs wander on the road; the GR20 crosses nearby.
- 814 km
Gorges de Spelunca
NatureOta, FranceA deep gorge between Ota and Evisa, crossed by Genoese stone bridges with bathing pools below. The old mule path between the villages takes about 2.5 hours one way.
- 96 km
Porto
France
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Ajaccio → Pointe de la Parata and Îles Sanguinaires · 13 km · 0 h 11 minOvernight nearby, for example: U Prunelli (17 km); Camping Barbicaja (6 km).
- Day 2: Pointe de la Parata and Îles Sanguinaires → Cascades des Anglais · 59 km · 0 h 49 minOvernight nearby, for example: L'Alzarella (2 km); Camping Le Soleil (5 km).
- Day 3: Cascades des Anglais → Scala di Santa Regina · 47 km · 0 h 39 minOn the way: Corte, Restonica valley.Overnight nearby, for example: Chez Bartho (9 km); Camping Santa Barbara (13 km).
- Day 4: Scala di Santa Regina → Porto · 39 km · 0 h 33 minOn the way: Col de Vergio, Gorges de Spelunca.Overnight nearby, for example: Sole E Vista (1 km); Le Mandriale - Camping à la ferme (14 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July–August and November. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Corsica’s mountain heart: Ajaccio to Porto?
4-day road trip of about 158 km (98 mi) with 9 stops, from Ajaccio to Porto. About 2 h 11 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Corsica’s mountain heart: Ajaccio to Porto?
We suggest 4 days: about 2 h 11 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Corsica’s mountain heart: Ajaccio to Porto start and end?
It starts in Ajaccio and ends in Porto.
Which countries does Corsica’s mountain heart: Ajaccio to Porto pass through?
France.
Where can you camp along Corsica’s mountain heart: Ajaccio to Porto?
OpenStreetMap lists 65 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Chez Bartho, Camping Santa Barbara and A Tizarella.
When is the best time for Corsica’s mountain heart: Ajaccio to Porto?
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
