The best mountain hikes around Algajola

I rented a perfectly set up and well-maintained Cannondale Supersix for two days at very good conditions. Not a current model year, but very well maintained and technically flawless. Before the rental, all important functions were checked again. A helmet was included. 200 km and almost 3000 meters of altitude later, I can give an unrestricted recommendation!

Lakeside promenade

fine bikes for a trip on two wheels

I did the loop in June 2025. It's generally a nice tour, but I highly recommend doing the large southern loop up to the church, including the single trail, in the opposite direction, so you go up the paved road and down the steep motocross section. Strangely enough, the original track above includes an additional loop where you also have to go up the single trail with a few short pushing sections and then return on a well-maintained forest road (not steep). Definitely do it in the opposite direction; then everything is rideable. By the way, I've also reported this to Komoot support. They might change the direction. I recommend doing the loop from Calvi to the church counterclockwise and the short loop at the top of the church clockwise. Have fun on this fantastic and varied loop.

From here, you'll reach a superb, intimate little beach in a cove that's ideal for swimming. It's the perfect spot to admire the sunset.

Extraordinary panorama from the heights of Capu di a Conca above the Gulf of Calvi.

History Antiquity [Edit | Edit source text] Little is known about early historical settlement, but Phoenicians, Greeks and Etruscans already had settlements in the area of today's Calvi. The Romans built a settlement in the area of the lower town called Sinus Caesiae (possibly also Sinus Casalus), from which the current name Calvi is said to be derived; another source refers to the Latin word "calvus" for the place name of Calvi, which means "bald" and insofar as the name goes back to the originally uncultivated and uninhabited bare rock on which a citadel was later built. Middle Ages [Edit | Edit source text] After Saracen raids, Pisa, to whom Corsica was awarded by the Pope, occupied the city in the 11th century. After disputes between Pisa and the Republic of Genoa over ownership of the island, a turbulent period followed with alternating rule between Corsican nobles, Genoa and the Crown of Aragon. In 1278, the inhabitants of Calvi asked Genoa for support against the local nobles. Calvi thus fell under the influence of Genoa, which expanded the citadel of Calvi (and also that of Algajola), granted Calvi an autonomous status and granted the people of Calvi a number of privileges. The inhabitants thanked Genoa with loyalty, even during the struggle for independence. Even today, the Latin motto Civitas Calvi semper fidelis ("The city of Calvi is always loyal") can be seen at the entrance to the upper town. Modern times [Edit | Edit source text] In the 16th century, Calvi resisted attempts to conquer the city by the Corsican freedom fighter Sampiero Corso and his allies, the Turks and French. In the 18th century, there was a brief period of Corsican independence under Pascal Paoli, which ended with the French taking power. When Paoli attempted to bring Corsica back under his influence with the support of the Kingdom of Great Britain, Calvi was largely destroyed by the British fleet in 1793.

Calvi is located 95 km from Bastia and 24 km from L'Île-Rousse on the Gulf of Calvi. The city consists of the lower town, where the town hall, the market square and the important marina are located, and the upper town, which is dominated by the governor's palace and the citadel.