Col de Bavella is one of the most scenic roads of Corsica

Col de Bavella is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.226m (4,022ft) above the sea level, located in the Corse-du-Sud department of France on the island of Corsica. It’s one of the highest roads of Corsica.

Is Col de Bavella paved?

Set high in the Alta Rocca mountain range, the road to the summit is totally paved. It’s called D268. It’s considered one of the most scenic roads on this Mediterranean island, but it can get very busy in summer. The road up to the pass offers some stunning views over the coast below. It’s a great place to appreciate the stunning scenery of the Alta Rocca mountains and it’s a hive of outdoor pursuit activities.

Is Col de Bavella worth it?

This quite a slow winding road includes many hairpin turns. There are nice views of fascinating mountains surrounding the road from the top. The road provides an incredibly scenic and dramatic drive. With mountains towering above, the road steadily winds its way down from the mountains to the coast. There are a few stopping points to admire the views. The road follows the Solenzara river, with several rock pools and canyons where swimming is possible such as at Fiumicelle and elsewhere along the river.

How long is Col de Bavella?

The summit hosts bars, restaurants and shops with a grassy space under pine trees for picnics. It's usually very crowded in summers and weekends. The pass is 38.4 km (23.86 miles) long, running from Zonza towards the Mediterranean Sea. Starting from Zonza, the ascent is 8.9 km long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 440 meters. The average percentage is 4.9 % but hits an 8.6% through some of the ramps.