# Southern Corsica: Bavella and the Alta Rocca

> 5-day road trip of about 109 km (68 mi) with 8 stops, from Rondinara bay to Filitosa. About 1 h 30 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b2-corsica-south/

**At a glance:** 5-day road trip of about 109 km (68 mi) with 8 stops, from Rondinara bay to Filitosa. About 1 h 30 min of driving in total. Turquoise bays near Porto-Vecchio, the granite spires of Bavella, proud Sartène and the carved menhirs of Filitosa.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 109 km (68 mi) |
| Driving | 1 h 30 min |
| Suggested days | 5 |
| Stops | 8 |
| Route | Rondinara bay → Filitosa |
| Countries | France |
| Updated | August 22, 2026 |

## Route description

Ferries from Marseille and Toulon dock at Porto-Vecchio, Propriano and Ajaccio, and from Sardinia you land at Bonifacio, half an hour south of the Rondinara turn. Start with the beaches: Rondinara’s round lagoon-like bay and the pine-backed sands of Palombaggia, before settling into Porto-Vecchio’s citadel.

Take the D368 up through the cork oaks and the Ospedale forest to Zonza in the Alta Rocca, then on to the Col de Bavella, where red granite needles tower over the pines. Walk to a viewpoint or one of the natural pools, and watch for free-roaming pigs on the road.

Return through Zonza and Levie to Sartène, a grey granite town of steep alleys above the Rizzanese valley. The T40 descends to the port of Propriano on the Gulf of Valinco, and a short detour inland leads to Filitosa and its menhir statues.

Mountain roads are narrow and slow, so plan fewer kilometres than you think. Many campsites near the beaches close from October to April, while May, June and September offer warm seas and easier parking.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Rondinara bay** (Bonifacio, France): A nearly circular bay of shallow turquoise water closed by a sandy isthmus. The car park fills by mid-morning in summer.
2. **Palombaggia beach** (Porto-Vecchio, France): A long curve of fine sand edged by umbrella pines and red granite boulders, facing the Cerbicale islands. Come early or late to find a parking place.
3. **Porto-Vecchio** (France)
4. **Zonza** (France)
5. **Aiguilles de Bavella** (Zonza, France): Red granite spires above a pass at 1,218 m, among wind-twisted pines. Short trails lead to viewpoints and natural pools; the road is narrow with wandering pigs.
6. **Sartène** (France)
7. **Propriano** (France)
8. **Filitosa** (Sollacaro, France): A prehistoric site among olive trees with granite menhir statues carved with faces and swords. A good introduction to Corsican prehistory.

## FAQs

**How long is Southern Corsica: Bavella and the Alta Rocca?**
5-day road trip of about 109 km (68 mi) with 8 stops, from Rondinara bay to Filitosa. About 1 h 30 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Southern Corsica: Bavella and the Alta Rocca?**
We suggest 5 days: about 1 h 30 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Southern Corsica: Bavella and the Alta Rocca start and end?**
It starts in Rondinara bay and ends in Filitosa.

**Which countries does Southern Corsica: Bavella and the Alta Rocca pass through?**
France.